《The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Are you still considered a human being? I was surprised to see an idol crying in front of me. Why are you asking? If PD had a conscience, he would never have edited me that way! I looked at him as he shouted in anger. I had gathered trainees who had trained for years but couldnt debut as idols and created apetition program. The idol before me ranked 4th, which was not a bad result. Above all, it was a result that I had created. To be exact, through editing. The genius of editing, the devils talent, a young and genius 33-year-old PD those were the adjectives that followed me, Seo Hoyun. I quite liked that. Because it brought in money. But you ranked 4th. So what? Everything important has already disappeared. The public is cursing me like crazy. Even my friends, who I have been practicing with for ten years, have stopped contacting me. They say Ill get hit with eggs if I go out on the street. Well, at least youll live longer. What do you mean?! If you get cursed at, youll live longer. I lit a cigarette with a snap of my lighter and took a deep drag, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. The idol looked at me with a dumbfounded expression. You know you cant sing, right? What are you talking about? At the beginning, you said you wanted to be famous no matter what. You were passionate, so I edited your videos and put them up. You were talentless, but with a genius dancer concept, you became an annoying yet eye-catching celebrity. You were even called my nephew on TV, despite looking nothing like me. I repeated what I had read online, and the idols face turned red and blue in embarrassment. I helped you because you said you wanted to be sessful. It was an obvious statement. If it werent for me, he wouldnt have ced 4th. I told him objectively, but he trembled in anger. Did I ask for that? At first, didnt you say that was all you needed? If youre having a hard time, just look at your bank ount bnce. That should make you happy. Sometimes, when the director gets drunk and talks nonsense in my head, and the world seems meaningless, I look at my bank ount bnce. Then, I pat my chest and say, Well, what else is there in this world? Money is everything. He gritted his teeth and shook his head. I nced at my phone. It was time to leave. If thats all you want to say, then I must go. I have a busy schedule. PD. Just as I turned to leave, he called out to me. Then, like a ghost, he rolled his eyes and cursed at me. I hope you fail miserably, PD. Youll regret it one day. The day when the tables are turned, youll understand my frustration. But itll be toote even if you beg and plead. Wow, how scary. I chuckled, amused by this situation on an already difficult day. I quickened my pace, leaving him behind as he cursed me. I had to go back to the production office and edit again. And so, I decided to view it as aical incident. That was until the system window appeared. *** Ding! Ding! Ding! [Infamy points +100] [Infamy points +350] [Infamy points +500] [You have umted enough infamy points to start the game.] [Loading] Oh, what the hell. The loud ringing noise was bothering me. Cant I even get a peaceful sleep? I slept only four hours thest three days, chugging energy drinks while editing. It was probably my rm. The system window appeared as I tried to open my eyes in frustration. [Congrattions, Seo Hoyun! You have been chosen as a yer for the game, Unknown Idol Tycoon. Congrattions on your 10 years of rejuvenation! Seo Hoyun: Unknown idol from a smallpany. Age: 23. Characteristics: Completed military service, has zero talent in dancing. He was a genius PD, but no one seemed to remember him. (Except for certain individuals) You will be permanently logged out if you fail to clear the game.] I felt as though a brick had hit me while I was asleep. As I sat up and nced at my phone, the system window remained on the screen. I let out a bitterugh, turning my head away. Whatever. I ced my phone down and returned under the covers to sleep. Perhaps I had overworked myself with editing the previous day. However, the system window continued to float above the ceiling, casting a dim blue light in the dark room, which created an eerie atmosphere. Ding! Ding! What a dream. The system window kept ringing, preventing me from going back to sleep. I got up groggily, and the system window came into clearer view. [Quest Alert: Reality Check! Lets ept reality. You are no longer a genius PD but a yer of the Unknown Idol Tycoon game. You have be an idol who is not well known. ept reality 0/1 Sess: Receive the title Failing Idol Failure: Permanent logout.] Permanent logout? I jumped out of bed in a panic, terrified of the ominous title. What kind of dream was this? I rubbed my face and stood up, realizing this dream mightst a while. I headed to the bathroom, hoping to wake myself by washing my face. After sshing cold water on my face, I looked in the mirror. What the heck? The dark circles under my eyes fromte work nights and my slightly bloated face had vanished everything had changed. My face was smooth. No, that wasnt the only difference. My face It was Seo Hoyuns face from ten years ago. This was pure horror. Trembling, I touched my face and stepped back. It shouldnt be this vivid, even if it was just a dream. How many people would be thrilled to say, Yay, its the ten-year rejuvenation! I ran back to my room from the bathroom. Whats wrong, hyung? S-Seo Hojin. Wow, did you finally go crazy? My younger brother, Seo Hojin, who was drinking water, nonchntly responded until he saw my face and spewed water from his mouth. Phew! Cough, cough Hyung, did you have stic surgery? What are you talking about? Why does your face look like that? Did you really get stic surgery in just a day? Has medical technology in Korea advanced that much? Are you trying to resemble Seo Hoyun from ten years ago? Seo Hojin approached me and grabbed my face, turning it this way and that. He was still Seo Hojin. Normally, I would have protested him touching his older brothers face, who was like the sky, but I couldnt do so now. [Seo Hojin: Seo Hoyuns younger brother. College student. This person remembers you.] I looked at the system message that popped up next to Seo Hojin. Move over. I quickly grabbed my wallet, and then I noticed the resident registration card that was next to it. The first digit had changed. What is this? [We congratte you once again! Seo Hoyun has be a yer in the game Unknown Idol Tycoon.] Hyung? Seo Hojin was also stunned, murmuring like he was in a dream. His hand trembled as he picked up his phone to search for my name. A page came up. [Hoowoo / Real name Seo Hoyun, idol under Daepasung Entertainment. Debuted in 20XX.] It was definitely my face. Even though I was supposed to be listed as a broadcasting PD from QBS! There were no articles that simultaneously praised and criticized me, such as Is it right to keep airing programs edited by the devilish editor Seo Hoyun? and Petition for broadcast sanctions against Seo Hoyun. All that was left were articles rted to the failed idol profile. [Hoowoo! Im the new idol under Daepaseong Entertainment. Please take care of me!] This is crazy Hyung! My head was pounding, and I sped it with both hands, feeling like I was on the brink of a breakdown. Seo Hoyun, the brilliant PD, the prodigious talent, and the editing virtuoso, transformed into an obscure idol? *** Im sorry, hyung. Seo Hojins face turned pale, and he apologized to me.
  1. This wasnt a dream. (I asked Seo Hojin to hit me to wake up from the dream, but it just hurt.)
  2. I was transported into the game that Seo Hojin has been yingtely. Its a mobile game called Unknown Idol Tycoon, where you raise idols.
  3. Although I turned 23, everyone else was still the same age. (Seo Hojin was still 23.)
And the most important thing, thest thing. My brother is now an idol the type of idol who gets ridiculed for not knowing basicmon-sense quizzes and has their MR removed? The kind who must smile brightly whether its raining or snowing? Seo Hojin stop annoying people with unnecessary details and be quiet Ill shut up now. I became an idol, but not just any idol one of the most obscure idols out there. Only one page appeared when I searched for myself on a search engine. What was happening? My head throbbed, so I rubbed my forehead. The system window still hovered next to me. [Questplete: Reality Check! Lets ept reality. You are no longer a genius PD. You have be an idol. ept reality 1/1 Sess: Failing Idol title acquired!] Seeing the Failing Idol title spinning above my head made me feel like I would vomit. Why? Why did it have to be me? Where the heck am I? What about the file I was working on until yesterday? Its gone! I had hit Ctrl+S and backed it up, but its still gone? This is insane Insane INSANE!! I grabbed my head and muttered like a lunatic, causing Seo Hojin to roll his eyes. Isnt that the least important thing right now? Shut up. I recalled the system window I had seen before. Infamy points. People cursed me more and more as the program became controversial. The idol who hadst cursed me. I hope you fail miserably, PD. Ah, I failed Youll regret it one day. The day when the tables are turned, youll understand my frustration. I understand now. Can I ask for forgiveness again? But itll be toote even if you beg and plead. Ah, its toote Hyung, snap out of it! My save file I pounded my head and muttered. The conclusion had been reached. It looked like I had be an idol.
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! Chapter 2 Chapter 2 To sum up my life, I would say that I was like a dragon born in a time of peace. My family was moderately happy, but we werent wealthy. Once I became an adult, my parents died in a car ident. After a difficult recovery, I had to raise my ten-year-old brother, Seo Hojin. Seo Hoyun, why do you live so harshly? I want to live well and eat well. To survive in this harsh world and not be separated from Seo Hojin, I had to be ruthless and not back down from anyone. When I passed the broadcasting stations open recruitment as a PD, I felt like I had the world at my feet. I studied diligently, spoke fluently in front of interviewers, and worked on various news and entertainment programs. I earned the nickname the most ruthless one despite being a rookie and not a career PD. Was that all? At 33, I made a smallpetition program called Pick the One, which surprisingly became a huge sess. Wow, isnt the trailer insane? Wont they face editing sanctions for this? The program captured the hearts of Koreans living in apetitive environment with trendy editing, appropriate MSG, tear-jerking stories, and a never-endingpetitive format. As a result, I received numerous requests to transfer to various broadcasting stations and got to negotiate higher sries. That genius PD was me, Seo Hoyun. Hey, did you really be an idol, hyung? But then my career took a nosedive. I became an idol. It was unexpected. Please repay my hard work. But hey, hyung, youve really aged. Be careful, you punk. I stood up and shook Seo Hojins shoulders, realizing that I had been overly protective of him, seeing that he was trying to stand up to me. Has anything changed about you? No, why do you ask? Seo Hojin frowned and searched through his phone. He exined that his homework and the news were still the same. After searching for another five minutes, he came to a conclusion. Nothing has changed except for you. Is this some kind of prank show? Do you think I would do something like that and risk getting killed by you, hyung? I took Seo Hojins phone and searched for the Unknown Idol Tycoon game he had installed, but it was nowhere to be found. What is this Ding! A system window appeared on top of Seo Hojin, but he seemed unable to see it. [Quest: You are now trapped in Unknown Idol Tycoon! We have provided a guide for those unfamiliar with the game.] A guide? As I said it, the system window began to scroll through, and I urgently read the exnation that appeared. [As PD Seo Hoyun, you ruined other peoples lives, so you have been trapped in Unknown Idol Tycoon. Apart from your family, Seo Hojin, and a few others, no one remembers you as a PD. Simply put, its better to consider it a parallel world.] A parallel world? [To return to your original world and be a PD again, you must clear Unknown Idol Tycoon. If you fail, you will be permanently logged.] What if I study and be a PD again? [If you significantly deviate from the main scenario, you will be heavily penalized.] Ha I was speechless. My previous world, where I worked so hard to achieve fame, disappeared in a single day. To regain it, I had to clear this game. What do I have to do to clear it? [Follow the main scenario.] What is the main scenario? [You need to be a first-tier idol recognized by everyone!] My fist trembled. This reality was beyond belief. I slumped onto the sofa and searched for a cigarette. As I tried to light it, the system window urgently popped up. [Idols dont smoke!] I red at the screen with a look that could kill. Shortly after, another window popped up. [In Unknown Idol Tycoon, we respect the yers freedom.] The system window quickly changed its tone. I wasnt sure if I should be thankful or angry for interrupting my smoking. Once I finished dealing with the bothersome system window, the situation was as follows: [Begin the Main Scenario? Yes / No] As a broadcasting PD, I was used to calcting the entertainment industry. In essence, I had to be an idol the kind everyone recognizes, the type that can dominate Asia, if not quite at the level of Billboard. I took a deep drag on my cigarette and made my decision. Start the main scenario. [Starting the Main Scenario. Quest Received.] What? Are you serious, hyung? The challenge was not about whether or not I could be an idol, but rather, how to make a living. Food. What? Are you obsessed with food? I gave Seo Hojin a smack on the head. If we wanted to eat and survive, we had to take action. The oue was already set in stone, but the means to achieve it was in our hands. I ran my life like a maniac and earned the moniker Devil PD. It didnt matter if the methods were clean or dirty as long as I could attain the status of a first-ss idol. Hojin. Yeah? Have you ever witnessed me fail at anything? Seo Hojin stuttered, sensing the ominous atmosphere. [New user reward. You can check your stats.] Stats? Show me. [Seo Hoyun, D-list Idol. People wont recognize you even if you dance on subway line 1. They might assume youre a subway maniac.] [Vocals: B Dance: D- Talent: B+ ???: ??? ??: ??? Charm: B+] Are these my stats? It felt a bit awkward looking at it; my stats were incredibly pathetic. Even the song I sang while sticking a spoon in a soju bottle was praised by my boss. But hold on, wasnt a D- in dancing excessively harsh? [The stats have been objectively evaluated.] I contemted it as if I were judging an audition participant, then raised my head. In any case, the stats marked with a question mark would be disclosedter. Hey, why is my Talent only a B+? It should be an S. [Editing and making peopleugh are two distinct things!] Thats correct. I epted it, but the system window sent me a quest message as if deliberately disregarding my words. [Quest Alert: Visit the agency! We are proud of you for epting reality. Visit the declining group, The Dawn, and listen to their exnation. Listen to The Dawns exnation 0/1 Sess: Start the next scenario, Charm +5. Fail: Charm -30.] Whats this Charm about? I muttered curse words and stepped outside. Like my younger brother, nothing had changed; it was still 202X Seoul. Despite going back 10 years, it didnt feel like I had traveled through time. It was truly a parallel universe. Since nothing had changed, there was no need to adjust. Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind. Wait, hold on! Take me back. Ding! [Why?] I need to go buy a lottery ticket. [] I ought to purchase a lottery ticket or invest in stocks or cryptocurrency, so I dont have to listen to this absurd system window. Muttering to myself with a sense of hopelessness, My lottery ticket, my real estate, my coins. I clutched the feeling of emptiness in my chest and stumbled toward the entertainment agency, but I worried someone might recognize me. It didnt matter in the end since no one even paid attention to me walking around without a hat. Ding! [Can you hear me?] Cease that irritating ringing noise. I was more well-known as a PD since many wanted to pelt me with eggs. How can I turn this unfortunate situation into a sess? As I arrived at the address on my phone, a call came from a number saved as Manager at the perfect time. It appeared to be the preliminary setup for a game or quest. Yes, this is PD Seo Hoyun from QBS. Have you taken your medication? How did you be a PD? Oops, its my professional habit. A mans voice in his thirties spoke. This is Seo Hoyun. Seo Hoyun, have you finally made up your mind? Yes, Im standing in front of thepany. Great, Ill be there soon. I nodded as if I knew what he meant by making up my mind, using my intuition gained from years of experience in the broadcasting station. Daepaseong Entertainment. I nced at the lobby, but it wasnt a location I was familiar with. It appeared to be abination of Unknown Idol Tycoon (a terrible name) and South Korea I used to reside in. Looking at the lobby pictures, they appeared primarily focused on training actors. Sitting on the sofa, I scanned the room to see if I recognized anyone. The only familiar face was Min Jiheon, the reliable actor. An unsessful agency. Oh, its our promising rookie. A man with the same voice as the phone call came out. He was around my age, with a slightly protruding belly and a round face. I bowed my head and extended my hand as I would in sales. This is Seo Hoyun. So, whats the concept, Hoyun? Can we call it mind control? The 23-year-old idol version of myself was a bit different. After I withdrew my hand, the manager led me inside with his shoulder. Have you recovered from your illness? Yes, thanks for your concern. Great, youve decided toe back, right? What do you mean? Youre going to be an idol in The Dawn! The name of the group constantly reminded me of self-sacrifice. Thepany has been waiting for you. The CEO waited for you for a year its a special gesture because The Dawn is so popr. But their MV views were low. Its not toote. Your debut album was recorded a year ago, and since then, youre the only one left Well, odd numbers are preferable for center positions for idols, right? And theres an open spot for you. Are there no other willing candidates? Swallowing my words, I entered the CEOs office, grateful for the new information.
  1. The Dawn was a one-year-old rookie group.
  2. It was an idol group hastily created by an actor management agency during the K-pop craze.
  3. The groups performances have not been sessful.
Its a mess. Nervously, the manager opened the CEOs office door. Oh my, CEO. Seo Hoyun is here. Seo Hoyun? The CEO was in his 50s. I greeted him with the same curt tone I used with the manager. Its been a while. Im Seo Hoyun. Ive never seen you before What did he say? I was momentarily stunned and couldnt manage my expression, but the manager whispered that he was a celebrity under his management. What are you talking about? Its Seo Hoyun, one of the lead vocalists of The Dawn. The one the CEO has been praising so much. Oh, The Dawn. That It seemed like the CEO wasnt interested in me, or more urately, he didnt seem interested in the idol group called The Dawn. It was a nningpany that was even worse than I expected. Im returning after taking a year off. Well, Hoyun, returning to The Dawn is a significant decision. Its not that popr. He said it indifferently, sighing and looking through some papers without ncing at me. C-CEO. The manager was sweating profusely. As I listened to the criticism openly, I nced at the manager. It seemed like the CEO was a little intimidating. Hoyun, as you know, were an actor management nningpany. Yes. If The Dawn doesnt generate profits, disbandment is possible. Do you know how much money it takes to maintain an idol group? I did. I already knew that the group would eventually disband. How could I not know? However, for some reason, I felt like I didnt know anything since I was being scrutinized. While rolling my eyes momentarily, I looked around the CEOs office and asked, How much time is left until disbandment? What? I kindly asked again. How much money is left? Seo Hoyun! The manager jumped. I was dumbfounded. It was easy for me to intimidate the CEO of a small nning agency that couldnt even care for its own idol. Just behave yourself. The CEO appeared slightly taken aback and raised his eyebrows. Youre bold for someone I havent seen in a while. Well, you imed earlier that you had never seen me. Although he could clearly see through me, I didnt want to continue with a weak topic, so I returned to the main subject. Thank you for thepliment. So, how long will it take? At most, six months. Six months. I shook my head. If it was six months, it was a period where we would end after releasing one title song and doing a few broadcast activities. What was important was how well we would perform within that period. Cant I debut somewhere else? I asked the system window. [Additional Exnation! No, you cant. When you draw your sword, you have to use it. It must be The Dawn.] It was obvious that I was just trying to stir things up. I understand. I obediently replied, and the CEO scanned me up and down. Honestly, I wanted to make a bold move now, but I didnt know enough yet. Did you change because you were ill? Me? Yeah, you used to be a little blurry Well, forget it. Send me the contract again. You have to reapply for employment. I couldnt recall how I was when I was 23. I think I was simr, though. Anyway, I nodded my head. I had to carefully review the contract. It was a crucial matter. Ill deal with negotiationster. Lets work hard for now. In reality, he stuttered, L-lets w-work hard for now, but I disregarded it lightly. Ding! The system window appeared for a moment. I furrowed my brow and looked at it. It didnt feel right. [Options:
  1. Ill do it, no problem!
  2. Give me more money.
  3. I will seed even if I have to sacrifice my life!]
What was this? These burdensome options? At first nce, it appeared as if I had to choose one of them, but I really didnt want to. I tightly sealed my lips. Then the timer at the bottom quickly reached zero seconds. Suddenly, my mouth moved on its own. I will seed even if I have to sacrifice my life! What? It felt like I was in an absurd historical drama. I couldnt believe it, and the CEO awkwardly smiled at me. Um thats a bit much. You dont have to risk your life for this. No, thats not it! Hoyun! Lets go! Hurry! Feeling wronged, I opened my mouth, but the manager suddenly covered it and pulled me away. Im not to me; Im going insane! Hey, whats going on with you! [Unknown Idol Tycoon offers various mini-games ^^] You said you value freedom, you punk. [Do not trust what the game status window shows! >//<] This guy was truly [Quest Completed: Visit the agency! You have sessfully epted the current situation. Visit the declining group, The Dawn, and listen to their exnation 1/1. Sess: Charm +5. The following scenario willmence.] [Quest Alert: Talk to the members! Greet the members of the declining group, The Dawn 0/4. Sess: Charm +5, and the next scenario starts. Failure: Discord with The Dawn members.] I intentionally chewed out what it just said. As I was flipping through the system window in frustration, the manager hit my back hard, causing my face to scrunch up. It hurts. Are you crazy? Why are you like this? How could you talk like that in front of the CEO? I didnt intend to say that. Did something just pop out of your mouth? If thats the case, well have to take you to the emergency room. Wow, this guy. I can see your mouth piercing me right now The manager was irritated and thumped his chest.
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! Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Despite my tired back aching, my manager continued to rant about his upset stomach. What if they cut you? You should be afraid of the CEO. Yes, yes. Youre still young and naive about the world Can you show me the practice room and introduce me to the other members? My manager gave me an annoyed look as I interrupted him, but I didnt let it bother me with my thick skin that had been toughened by years of working in society. I was originally tough, after all. Seo Hoyun is acting strange today. Hes different after getting sick He constantly mumbled as if possessed by some demon. While walking down the hallway, I nced at pictures of people I didnt know. However, I recognized a famous actor who had transitioned from theater to romantic dramas. They seemed to be a rtively sessful agency catering to actors, but It was surprising to see an agency specializing in actors also have an idol How many trainees are there? What nonsense are you spewing? Youre the only ones here. What? You were the only trainees who were brought together and debuted. Sigh Im really worried. Really? Was that the n all along? While I was amazed by how poor thepany system waspared to other ces, my manager discreetly spoke to me. Hoyun. Yes? The kids, they can be a bit sensitive. Their grades havent been greattely, so dont be surprised no matter what you say. Grades? Gradesyes, to you, it may seem like grades. But dont worry, Ive been watching them closely, and theyre really good kids. Theyre just under a lot of stress. When someone kept saying that the kids were good, it was usually the opposite. As I calmly looked on, the tense manager quickly opened the door. Hey guys, Hoyuns here! Lord, Ive lived a good life so far. I wished the members I would be working with had been chosen thoughtfully. Seo Hoyun? However, I bit my tongue when I saw the members sweating and panting in the practice room. This wont work. Yes, they were handsome. And, of course, idols were supposed to be good-looking. Being good-looking and pretty and singing well were all important. But in the Korean entertainment industry, where all the good-looking and pretty people flocked, simply being good-looking was not enough to stand out among thepetition. What, then, was the key to survival? Its all about star power. How much you radiated and how effortlessly you exuded coolness were crucial factors. As I observed the four members sitting together, I made my assessments. Not quite there yet. Being a star may not seem like a big deal, but achieving it was incredibly challenging. Its necessary for creating fans who cheer for you at the slightest wave, yet its difficult to acquire. One must possess a dazzling charm or charisma. And when you are full of yourself as I was, its easy to identify the weaker ones. But these members didnt have that. I sighed as I realized they didnt possess the star power. Hey Can I see their stats? [No >_<] Useless. As I was about to sigh, a sharp voice pierced my ears. Didnt they say Seo Hoyun left? The person speaking was tall, and as I looked at him, their character sheet popped up on the system window. [Kim Seonghyeon Leader and main dancer of The Dawn Remarks: ??? He is highly sensitive due to the risk of disbandment.] Yeah, I knew that without you telling me. But why did youe back? What have you ever aplished? Kim Seonghyeon red sharply at me. The manager intervened between us, looking flustered. Seonghyeon, why are you like this? Hoyun was sick. Well, so what? Are we some kind ofeback loser group? Why is someone who didnt even do their activities properly still here? Kim Seonghyeon! Honestly, I thought Kim Seonghyeons words were all right. At the same time, I reassessed the situation. Can someone with such a terrible character actually seed? Usually, people are more attracted to someone whos terrible 99 times but does well once than someone who did well 100 times. If you did well 100 times, people just looked at you as a sucker or a loser. Seonghyeon, lets stop. [Seong Jiwon Main vocal Remarks: ??? Seong Jiwon is kind but has really bad luck.] This one seems pretty good. Seong Jiwon stopped Kim Seonghyeon and gave me a nod. As I shrugged my shoulders and entered the practice room, Seong Jiwon greeted me. Uh Hoyun, wee. Are you feeling better? Yeah. Im Seo Hoyun. Nice to meet you. Who doesnt know your name? Just trying to do better this time. So shameless Thanks to putting a lot of saliva on my lips before leaving home, whether it was a lie or not, it came out easily. Kim Seonghyeons face turned red, but I ignored him and looked at the other two. The one with ck hair opened his eyes wide. Hoyun-hyung, are you really all better? [Jeong Dajoon Sub-dancer Remarks: ??? Hes the youngest. Um He has a bright and cheerful personality.] Oh Im good now. Despite not knowing exactly where I was hurting, I responded vaguely. As I nced over at him, I noticed a guy with a face resembling that of a fox grinning smugly. Hyung, I thought something had happened to you when you didnt return. [Kang Ichae Main rapper Remarks: ??? His personality is equally twisted.] Look at this guys personality. That guys a real character. I came back alive. Hmm? Uh-huh? Haha. [Quest Talk to the members! has beenpleted. Looks like everyone is feeling bad because youre here again! Ill add some charm for now.] I gave a moderate response and looked at the quest window. Main vocal, dancer, rapper they at least collected members that fit the roles. Or maybe they put them in appropriate positions since they gathered practice trainees. When I exchanged greetings with the members, the manager smiled broadly and expressed gratitude that I was well received. Great, its a relief that everyone weed you! Lets work hard again, everyone! It was a bright day. No one answered. Nevertheless, the manager continued to speak with determination and energy. I felt sorry for him, thinking about how tough it must be for a working person. Well, you may not know this yet, but were preparing for aeback. We only have one month left for the showcase and broadcasting activities. Lets give it our best shot. The CEO is really pushing and supporting us! That wasnt true As I looked around, it seemed everyone knew it was a lie. The uneasy expressions on the members faces were proof of that. Hoyun, would you like to listen to the song first? [Quest Arrived: Listen to theeback song! This is thest chance for The Dawn! Listen to theeback song. Sess: Start the next scenario, add 1 charm. Failure: The trust of The Dawn members will decrease drastically.] Yes, please y it. Lets see how bad this song really was. Pop-pop-pop like a pineapple! Yum-yum-yum like an apple! Mang-mang-mang like a mango! Silence filled the room. The song was incredibly cringeworthy. It was about confessing feelings to a crush using fruit analogies like pineapple, apple, and mango, with a fresh and tangy twist. Even if you stumbled upon it by chance, it would be unforgettable in its cringiness. After watching their debut single on YouTube, I thought they wouldnt be that bad, but upon listening to this song Its a disaster Ding! [Mang-Mang-Mang!] How is it? The song is good, right? I looked at the manager, who was lying down and smiling broadly. Should Iugh? Even though its certain that well fail if we promote this song? No, we might even be aughingstock on the inte forever. Pop-pop-pop like a pineapple! Wow, its such a hit song. The reaction is already crazy. Even the nning team is going crazy over how fresh it is. Putting aside the shitty beats and simrly shitty lyrics, how can they possibly do this concept in winter? Its been six months since summer passed, but they still wanted to do a concept like this? Did the nning team all die? I couldnt help but imagine myself singing nonsensical lyrics about pineapples, mangoes, and apples and the YouTube video receiving only three or fourments. I imagined it. Wow I feel bad for them Now anyone can be an idol~~~ Can I debut too? Are there fans of idols like this? Im really curious, so Im asking. It was obvious how the public would react to the song. As I shook withughter, I gave my opinion to the people around me, secretly waiting for my response. The song is really fresh. Is it? Did the CEO run a fruit farm? Hey, Seo Hoyun! Honestly, the surrounding members got angry when I spoke. Hoyun, even if its true, that kind of talk Why? Its a true statement. I mean, its one thing for pineapples to be pop-pop-pop, but why are mangoes mang-mang-mang? Kang Ichae nodded, and I rose to my feet with a sense of misery, rubbing my face. I was certain a cigarette was in my pocket, and I needed to smoke it. However, the manager misunderstood my intentions and called out to me. Seo Hoyun, where are you going? I just need a quick break. Ill be back soon, I replied. But the manager continued calling out to me, Hoyun! Ignoring his attempts to stop me, I walked outside the building and sat on the pavement, taking out a cigarette. As I smoked, I gazed across the street at the nearby building. The nearby building looked old and small for some reason. As a noviceposer, I felt that even I could have done a better job than that. How did they even ept such a song? It was absurd that they used summer lyrics for a season that was soon to be snowing, and now they were incorporating random EDM. What even was EDM? [Are you going to give up?] Shut upIm thinking. I couldnt give up because of my pride. I remembered my rookie days when I endured all sorts of ridicule and held back my anger. I remembered the senior who made me pick up his business card from the trash and the top star who treated me rudely and made me run errands. Compared to those experiences, this was nothing, absolutely nothing I checked my bank bnce on the app to try and calm myself down, but even that didnt work. I needed to feed Seo Hojin. Hoyun. The main vocalist I saw earlier came over. His name was Yeah, that. Seong Jiwon. Uh-huh. I gazed at the system window that had reappeared above my foggy mind and pretended to recognize the name disyed. He was the kind guy who attempted to soothe the members earlier. I cant adapt No matter where I looked, the young kid was calling my name at the top of his lungs, emphasizing just how insane this situation truly was. I took another puff from my cigarette, knowing there was no answer to it. Are you okay? Uh. We went too far, didnt we? Its okay. Seong Jiwons expression darkened as I smoked my cigarette as if he couldnt ept it. I soon realized. Right, idols werent supposed to smoke. It was as if admitting defeat when you saw an idol smoking when they should be taking care of their voice. What was my role again? Sub-vocalist? All I did was sing atpany dinners, using a spoon as a makeshift microphone. I was already anxious about how I would perform on stage and sing. Please understand. Nothing seems to be going right. Were on the brink of failure. Weve already lost hope. The nning team has abandoned us, and the only support we received from thepany was this song. Ugh. I red at Seong Jiwon, squinting my eyes. Well have to figure out what to do after we disband. Itll take a long time to figure things out, considering weve been trainees for so many years. How long were you a trainee for? About seven years. And where did you train? D.go. Isnt that a good ce? Seong Jiwon mentioned a pretty big entertainmentpany. There was a group called Today that had recently gained some recognition. So were they pretty talented? If theyre talented, I was a little less worried. I still couldnt be sure, though. As I sucked on my cigarette, I observed Seong Jiwons hesitant expression. Its a bigpany. But things didnt go well for me. Lets just consider this as leaving behind asting memory. We shouldnt fret over the rest and simply do our best. I smiled a little. Why are you smiling? Leaving behind asting memory? What are you talking about? I didnte here to make memories with you guys. Dering failure before attempting to seed was a disy of arrogance, especially in an industry where our livelihoods were at stake. We could not simply give up on a game that hadnt even properly begun. I put out my cigarette by rubbing it on the ground. Who said that? What? Last one, whoever said that. We hadnt even experienced any sess yet, but we were already hesitating at the starting line. I had to transform these fools into a top-tier idol group. And I was confident. Im starting now, okay? I was confident enough to take care of these guys.
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! Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Lets scrap the n. What?! The manager jumped up at my words when I came back. It seemed like having a good reaction would be usefulter when we had audiences. What was the managers name? I gave up trying to remember his name and turned my head toward him, focusing on future broadcasts. Lets do it again. I cant sing this song. Hold on, are you out of your mind? Why the sudden change? You just got here! Manager, please reconsider. Can we really seed with this? Well of course! He seemed to be very confident. Yum-yum-yum like an apple! I looked at the hesitant manager with pity. I regretted my earlierment about the audience. If the manager had been one of my subordinates, I would have terminated his employment without hesitation. He couldnt do his job because he kept pushing ahead without knowing what was happening. Im not sure about you, but I cant be sure. So, lets scrap it. Are you kidding me? Kim Seonghyeon, silently listening, suddenly got up and put his hand on my shoulder. It was amon urrence, but it didnt mean I liked it. Whats the big dealing in here suddenly like this? Are you trying to sabotage us? Why? What do you mean why? Weve already discussed everything without you. If you just came in, keep quiet. Dont ruin our ns. Kim Seonghyeon had a bold personality. Being threatened wasnt good, but having a determined person on our team was valuable. I nced at Kim Seonghyeon. Have you listened to the top 40 songs on the music charts? What? No, lets just do any song on the charts. Making it onto the charts is no easy feat, after all. Have you listened to any of them? What nonsense is this? I looked at Kim Seonghyeon, who still didnt understand the situation. Even though he was still angry, Kim Seonghyeons young face showed defiance. Trends change every day, and theres an overflow. Now we need to expand beyond just South Korea and into other countries. But to do that, the big agencies have to spend a ton of money to bring in songs from the US or UK. Or, we could get it from a talentedposer here in South Korea. Whats the point, then? Hes so impatient. I bit my tongue. You really think our music is in there? Can this silly pineapple song even make it to the charts? Kim Seonghyeon was speechless. This is just a waste of time and money. I grabbed Kim Seonghyeons hand and moved it away. Everyone had gloomy expressions and looked down at the ground. We had to face reality. As the CEO mentioned, being an idol was more expensive than most people realize. The makeup, hair, wardrobe, and personnel costs for a single music broadcast were exorbitant. Even if they were popr idols, it was still the same. But a music career with a song like this? Its just throwing away money. Kim Seonghyeon clenched his fists, unable to argue because he knew the reality of the situation. Then do we have any better options? No, we dont. So, we just have to do it. Just doing it is not enough. I said bluntly. You have to do it damn well. Thats it. Being an average idol wouldnt cut it if we wanted to reach the top. We had to make a big ssh from the start. The youngest member, Jeong Dajun, who had been sulking, hesitantly asked, Hoyun-hyung, but doesnt that mean you dont have a solution either? Me? If youre saying we should scrap this n and bring in a new song, where will we get that song? Even the CEO has given up on us Theres no way there isnt a solution. I pulled up a chair and sat down before answering their question directly. I hadnt realized it, but everyone else was already sitting on the practice room floor, so I ended up looking down on them from above. I had to admit, I found the view kind of cool. Isnt it a waste, guys? What? The time you spend in this practice room, the days you live relying on an uncertain future. Witnessing everyones eyes shaking, despite never being an idol or having an understanding of them, my experience from years ofpetition programs allowed me to pretend to have a better grasp of their psyche than anyone else. I deliberately spoke with emphasis. Other kids go to college or work part-time jobs to make money, whereas we rely on our family andpany for financial support. Seo Hoyun. To my surprise, Seong Jiwon, who appeared to be the most easygoing, gave me a subtle warning. I nced at him. I know youre eager, but dont speak carelessly. Itll only leave us with nothing. I made a mental note of Seong Jiwons unusual behavior. He was usually veryposed, so I assumed that if he was upset, it was likely because of family problems. Despite considering his words, my impatience grew even stronger, and I raised my hand. Listen. ? Im saying, lets not live like this. What? Look back to when we entered this agency. What did we all think? . I was going to make billions and buy my parents a luxurious apartment, be the kind of idol who sends fans into a frenzy, or the type that constantly makes headlines every time I open my mouth. The group fell silent as if I had touched a nerve. It was a natural human desire. But what are we really doing now? Just spending our days in the practice room, singing the agencys fruit songs? Thats. Dont you hate it? Cant you do it? Well, they seem confused. So, I furrowed my brow, took a deep breath, and added some sweetness to my words, making sure to pause for impact. Im sorry for my harsh words about wasting time and money earlier I didnt mean to sound so severe, but I couldnt bear to see your talents go to waste. Hold on, I should have said us instead of you. Never mind. Trust me, we need to change our n. Lets start again. I promise that all the hard work and sweat youve put into the practice room will shine on stage. The group was stunned, and even the manager seemed surprised at how eloquent I had be. And now, it was time for me to drive my point home. Oh, and Jeong Dajun? Y-yes? When did I ever say that there was no solution? I was not someone who spoke without a n. [Youre pretty confident, arent you?] Of course. A system message appeared, and I nced at it. Would it be against the rules if I were to change everything? [Do as you please! Unknown Idol Tycoon upholds yer freedom.] yer freedom, my foot They tried to take me down with that dialogue box earlier. So, whats your n? Obviously, theres only one n. Everyone gazed at me with wide eyes. It was natural for neers who spoke confidently to draw attention just before causing chaos. Welle back with a great song. I adjusted my tone to sound confident withouting across as too conceited. The key to sess lies in great music. Ill get a song from Blue Tiger. From Blue Tiger?! Everyone leaped up from their seats. Blue Tiger. Its no exaggeration to say shes one of the most skilledposers in Korea. Shes renowned for being quite haughty, as she dabbled in various genres, from bads to idol music. Large entertainmentpanies had to spend money and practically plead with Blue Tiger for a song because of how much of a guarantee it was for sess. Even ck Calls Joo Woosung hit it big after receiving a song from Blue Tiger. And also the Bad Emperor Hyunseong Man, if its Blue Tiger, its a hit. The youngest member Jeong Dajun and the manager were excited, but the rest of the group seemed skeptical. Despite my persistent ims, I leaned towards a more realistic perspective. What Youre just spouting nonsense? Well, I understand what youre thinking. Blue Tiger only works exclusively with established entertainmentpanies and well-known artists How can we get her to give us a song? Yeah, I had anticipated this kind of reaction. The truth was that even if we had already debuted, as idols who had yet to properly promote ourselves, it would be challenging to secure a song from Blue Tiger. This was the sentiment echoed by the rest of the group. But then again, I was Seo Hoyun. I can get it. Where the heck is your confidenceing from? Are you still hurt somewhere? Whether they thought this was a joke or not, the atmosphere in the practice room became increasingly tense. But I wasnt joking. Once again, I said each word firmly. I will definitely get it. I promise you. . A silence fell over the practice room. Everyone seemed fed up, uncertain whether to view me as the greatest liar ever or be impressed by my unwavering confidence. I didnt miss that stillness. I will make you No, we, The Dawn, seed. I had a way. The air in the practice room was strangely different. Everyones faces that were previouslyx and reckless now showed subtle hope and determination. Good. This kind ofpetitive atmosphere was better than the limp and lifeless kimchi from earlier. I lifted the corners of my mouth. Believe me, as if Im tricking you. Ill buy you a meal. Naturally, the rest of the reactions were cold. Or, more precisely, they were hesitant. But it didnt matter to me. I was going to make it happen anyway. I stretched out three fingers. Just wait three days. Are you really saying youll get a song from Blue Tiger? Kim Seonghyeon doubted me and deliberately ignored me. Then, he threw words that sounded like a scam. Honestly, I didnt want to waste any time, even if it made me feel bad. Fortunately, it seemed like everyone had taken the bait, and they cautiously looked at me. I will believe in you, Hoyun-hyung. Kang Ichae! Well, I suppose considering the situation were already in, theres no harm in seeing how far he can take it, right? Kang Ichae smiled and empathized with me. Looking at the scene, I realized I had been making excuses to avoid Pineapple. I only lit the fuse. I nodded and scanned the room, eventually meeting eyes with the manager. Manager. H-Hoyun. Prepare the contract. Lets talk about itter. I held the upper hand in this situation. It wasmon for idols attempting aeback to feel anxious and tread carefully, so the manager appeared bewildered. I didnt know that. Lets meet in three days. I said a light goodbye to them and left. As I walked down the hallway, the system window rang and appeared. [Sudden Quest Arrival: Lets get theeback song! Youre talking nonsense. Lets find out if its real confidence or just empty talk. Sess: Charm +10. Failure: Reputation goes down and you have to wear a pineapple outfit as the center.] Im really going to enjoy this. I muttered nervously and hurried my steps, not wanting to wear a pineapple outfit as a penalty for failing.
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! Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Blue Tiger, real name Lim Hyeonsu. She was a musical prodigy who stayed on top of current trends while maintaining a solid foundation of skills. She recently delved into songwriting, and her reputation skyrocketed because of her clever lyrics. She was a surefire bet for sess, with her bank ount overflowing with wealth But why should that even matter? She wasnt feeling well at the moment. To add to her troubles, she was grappling with the challenge of creating the title track for the uingeback of the renowned girl group White Cherry, who were making waves in Korea and even in the United States. But she couldnt find a satisfactory melody, which frustrated her to no end. Lim Hyeonsu became extremely irritable whenever this happened, and the studio staff avoided her. However, today, something was different. Hey, didnt I tell you not to let outsiders in? An outsider was in the studio for crying out loud! The staff trembled as they saw the man sitting in the studio lobby. He seemed to be in his early 20s and gave off an aura of someone not to be messed with. He was handsome enough to be a celebrity, but the staff couldnt recall ever seeing him on TV. Hello, Im Seo Hoyun. Who? Seo Hoyun. The man smiled impudently and greeted her. The staff shuddered. Shed never heard of him. Lim Hyeonsu gave him a cold look and turned her back to the staff. Get him out of here. Yes, yes. Can I have a word with you for a moment? Where were you going? I turned to Lim Hyeonsu and spoke to her, grabbing her attention. She looked at me irritably. Excuse me, Im busy right now. Yes, I understand. I wont take up much of your time. I dont have time for that either. Lim Hyeonsus temper hadnt changed. I looked at the system window hovering above her. [Lim Hyeonsu Musical genius Sometimes she works as a lyricist as well. Note: Her temper is very, very, very bad.] I knew that. Didnt you know Ive worked with Lim Hyeonsu several times? Id been cursed at by her on more than one asion for making a mistake. As she nced at me from head to toe, shaking her head in disgust, it seemed she didnt really remember. I realized again that I was really in a game. I held out the shopping bag Id brought with me. Whats this? Lim Hyeonsu was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the shopping bag, but I seized the opportunity. Ms. Composer, I heard that you like this particr sake from Hokkaido, so I looked it up and brought it for you. What? This is hard to find in Korea. Lim Hyeonsu took the sake out of the shopping bag and examined it closely. I could tell from her expression that she was thoroughly enjoying it. Yeah, thats right. It was hard to find. Despite being wary of me, Lim Hyeonsu epted the gift without any resistance. It seemed she didnt want it because she thought I was expecting something in return. Why are you giving me this? Ms. Composer, Im sorry for dropping in on you so suddenly But its important to prepare even the smallest things. Hmm. I chuckled quietly while smacking my lips. This was my typical sales approach. Perhaps my ttery had some effect because after contemting for a moment, Hyeonsu nced at the sake and took a seat in the lobby. You must have gone through a lot of trouble to get this, so it would be impolite to turn you away like this. I can spare you five minutes. Thank you. Great, thats half the battle won. So why did youe to see me? I mean Im Seo Hoyun. Okay, Seo Hoyun. What do you do? Yeah, I knew this question wasing. Im an idol. Were preparing for aeback right now. Ha. Lim Hyeonsuughed. Okay, an idol. The suspicious look directed towards me contained a hint of mockery, suggesting that someone like me wouldnt appear alone out of nowhere. Lim Hyeonsu was a surefire path to sess, causing idols struggling to follow in her footsteps to be nervous and uneasy. Seo Hoyun? Ive never heard of you before. Im from Daepaseong Entertainment, an actor management agency that stillcks a lot of push toward idols. I think its natural that even aposer hasnt heard of me yet. Well, youve been through a lot. She said so, but Lim Hyeonsu was already ignoring me. Lim Hyeonsu, who had crossed her legs slowly, looked at me. So, why did youe to me? Anyway, Lim Hyeonsu liked it when people got to the point. I smiled. Im here to ask for a song. Hahaha! Lim Hyeonsu burst outughing, which caught me off guard. I waited in silence until she eventually stopped. Wow, these days, idols are truly incredible. Theye straight to us without even involving their managers or agencies Thats because your skills as aposer are so impressive. Hey, Seo Hoyun. I understand the kind of delusions you have in your mind. Do you think you can achieve everything just by relying on one talent? Youre not the only one who approaches me in this manner. I simply listened attentively to her words. Lim Hyeonsu rose to her feet, flicking her nails as if she considered it a waste of time. You must have watched too many dramas. Ill be leaving now. This was the response I expected. But what came next, even Lim Hyeonsu wasnt able to predict. Lets have a drink? What? With me? No, thats the title of a song. I didnt suddenly go crazy and asked Lim Hyeonsuto to have a drink. Lets have a drink? was a song that Lim Hyeonsu released a year ago that topped the charts. It was a safe beat and melody development for Lim Hyeonsu, but it still took first ce. I heard people say once again that Lim Hyeonsu was aposing genius. But its not true. Lets go to the moon. That, thats why are you Between you and me, Lets stop this, Be the Monster, etc. I kept murmuring to myself, and those who heard me for the first time might wonder what it all meant. And unless it was Lim Hyeonsu or me, they wouldnt be able to understand the words. But Lim Hyeonsusplexion was getting paler and paler. These songs have three things inmon. First, theyre all Blue Tiger, Lim Hyeonsuspositions. Second, they all topped the charts up to the fifth ce. And I raised my third finger. Andstly, they have all been manipted to attain high rankings. W-What are you talking about? Oh no, Lim Hyeonsu was trying to deny it. But I didnt overlook it. Oh,e on, suddenlying here and talking nonsense I took out my tablet, and, fortunately, some data remained, which was separate from my lost save file. With a smile, I showed it to her. These are records of bank transactions between the singer or the affiliated management agency and the music broker. Oh, there are even some cases where they traded directly with theposer. Lim Hyeonsu epted it with trembling hands. And soon after, she gnashed her teeth. How did you get this? Lim Hyeonsu asked in a soft tone, disying a hint of acknowledgment. Oh, does that matter? Haha, are you a genius? Do you have any journalists in your family or something? Lim Hyeonsu raised one corner of her mouth while frowning. She still seemed unfazed. She stared at me for a while. Why did you manipte the ranks? Youre talented. So what? I shrugged. Then what do you want me to do? I just had bad luck. Oh, itsing out stronger than I thought. I raised my chin and looked at her. Ill admit that youre amazing for doing it alone. I dont know how you found out, but maniption? I dont even know how to do it, and even if its true, its not that big of a blow to me. She shamelessly raised her chin. So many singers today are shamelessly engaging in maniption. Do you think itll be a problem? That was true. Lim Hyeonsu looked around to see if I was recording. When she realized I wasnt, she waved her hand. Just leave. Dont act like youre tired. What should I do? I want to act more tired. What? Lets hear it for Korean. Did I bring only one thing with me? Lim Hyeonsu paused and froze at my words. Flip the tablet screen. . Hurry up. I gestured to her with a friendly smile. Lim Hyeonsu hesitated but couldnt resist her curiosity and flipped the tablet. A piece of music began to y. It was a song from a male idol that topped the chartsst year. A Blue Tigerposition. This song was really well done. I just said that, but Lim Hyeonsu mmed the tablet on the desk. It looked like it was thrown away like a piece of junk that had been used for about ten years. She didnt know the value of money. My tablet. You, F-fuck How did you? Lim Hyeonsus face turned pale. I looked at her happily. How did you get this?! The song on the tablet earlier was not a Blue Tigerposition. It wasposed by an unknown indie band guitarist. Thats right. Lim Hyeonsu giarized it. You, you! How many times did you meet the guitarist at a drinking party? Was it at Hapjeong? You met two or three times at the izakaya over there and even received a USB from him. As I spoke fluently, as if I had been present there, Lim Hyeonsu trembled as if she had seen a ghost. Music maniption, right It may pass by as if its nothing or the truth has been distorted. But what about giarism? As soon as this goes out into the world, people will know its not an original unless theyrepletely clueless. Then everyone will speak up. Stop it. I pped my hands. Ah, Blue Tiger giarized! Lim Hyeonsu red at me as if she could strangle me at any moment. Ah, I feel so satisfied. I didnt know that my investigative program woulde back so rewarding. Fortunately, I was in charge of assisting with producing a program about music maniption. And it was also fortunate that Lim Hyeonsu was still alive in my reality! [Are you trash?] Dont ruin the mood. This was a chance given to me by God to threaten Lim Hyeonsu, who still trembled cluelessly. [Excuse me, did you giarize anyone else?] Im sorry, but Im in a hurry. I lowered my eyebrows as if I was really sorry. I carefully chose only words that would provoke Lim Hyeonsu. What about ourposer? Youre working on a White Cherry song right now, and youre also working on several bads Youll have to pay a lot of penalty fees if theres a giarism controversy. Now, what kind of reaction would she show? Would she shout at me to leave immediately? Or would she be defiant and dare me to try? Or will she strangle me? Either way, it doesnt matter. But thest one was a bit scary, so lets call the police if that happens. No, I knew Lim Hyeonsu well. I spoke gently and even imitated her by flicking my nails as she had done earlier. You suddenly became quiet. Three. Should I go now? Two. You must be very busy. One. I was about to stand up when Hyeonsu grabbed my arm. Just a moment. Yes? What do you want? Ah, this is why I liked Hyeonsu. She adapted quickly to reality. I chuckled. Oh, Ms. Composer, youre trying to take advantage of me. Do I have to spoon-feed you the answer? You should think for yourself, right? Ding! [Seo Hoyun, are you the devil?] I was pissed off because my tablet was broken, so I hit it once.
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! Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Can I give you a song? You finally understand me. I took out a cigarette and lit it in the lobby of the studio building, but Lim Hyeonsu didnt object. Yeah, who dared to stop me. Lim Hyeonsu looked desperate for a cigarette, so I offered her one. Would you like to have one? Arent you an idol? Ah? It didnt ur to me that idols might not be allowed to smoke. Lim Hyeonsu stammered, looking nervous. What the hell. She nced around. Then she pulled out one for herself and asked me for a light. Click, click. As I used the lighter to light her cigarette, Lim Hyeonsu shuddered as if experiencing goosebumps. I looked at her slowly. Ms. Composer, thats what I want. Please pick out a great song with a high-quality beat. shy and simple? I assume you dont want something cheap. Huh You just want one? Yes. Im going to release it as a single. Ill think about the full albumter. Whats the concept? Have you decided? Good point. Lim Hyeonsu took a notebook and started writing as I exined what I was thinking. Since I hadnt talked to the nning team yet, I could only exin the concept abstractly. But when I mentioned the genre, Lim Hyeonsu seemed to understand perfectly. Okay. I get the general direction. Send a contract with the deposit and a time frame. A contract? What? Deposit first, before the contract. Theres no way Daepaseong Entertainment would have the money to pay Lim Hyeonsu. At least, there was no budget for aeback song for The Dawn, thats for sure. No, but Lim Hyeonsu still hadnte to her senses. I noticed she was stillining about the deposit. I spoke with a rhythmic tone. You will donate your talent, Ms. Composer. Its time to get a grip on this crazy world. Lim Hyeonsus mouth dropped open. Donate my talent? Me? The Lim Hyeonsu? I hummed the melody of the pirated song we heard earlier. Lets have a drink, you and I words Ive longed to say without end. As I sang a few more lines, Lim Hyeonsu bit her lip. Ill do it. Ill donate my talent! Wow, thank you. Am I dreaming? Have I be a sucker? Its not a dream. I kindly replied and nced at my watch. It was time to discuss the rest of the arrangement. Its three oclock now. Please send the first demo by 7 pm tonight. What? In four hours? Are you crazy?! If you dont want to, you can always quit. I I love you so much The lyrics of Lim Hyeonsus giarized song. She leaned against the sofa and hummed while taking deep puffs of her cigarette. As the smoke rose like clouds, Lim Hyseonsu baked a piece of bread in her mouth. Tell me if this is love or something I got it. Ill do it! Ill send it by 7 pm! Oh, youre amazing. Thank you for your passion. She cursed and grumbled as if spitting curses from her lips, but I didnt care. Ah, Lim Hyeonsu was easy to handle. I felt as if Id drank cider. I watched with pride as she scribbled away at the concept, and when she was done, she tossed the pencil to me. Write down your number. Yes. I epted it and wrote down my phone number slowly. 010-XXXX-XXXX, this is Seo Hoyun. Nice to meet you ^^ It was true that thest emoji was meant to make her angry. Seeing it, Lim Hyeonsu grabbed the back of her neck. Now that she seemed to understand, I should probably start leaving. I still had a long way to go. Ill be leaving now, Ms. Composer. Nice to meet you. Wait a minute. Youre not going to tell anyone about this, right? No, Ms. Composer. I have my principles too. If it paid well, I would talk. If it didnt, I wouldnt. That was a given. And I was one to keep my loyalty. Dont worry. Ill leave now. As I said that and stood up, Lim Hyeonsu grabbed me anxiously. When I turned around, she muttered with a face that looked like she was seeing a devil or a ghost. What are you really? What do you mean? Do you have a rich rtive? Or are you a journalist? If not, then what are you? Why are you so glib? Me? Im a PD who received overflowing love calls, of course. With QBS, Im A what? Ding! [Options:
  1. Cute idol, Hoowoo!
  2. Seo Hoyun, the one who will captivate you!
  3. Seo Hoyun, the star that shines forever!]
Wow, this is really cheesy. I bit my lips. I wanted to vomit, but if I did, I wouldnt have enough time, and the dialogue from the options would be randomly selected. I closed my eyes. Seo Hoyun, the star that shines forever. What What did you say? It sparkles, doesnt it? Are you really crazy? Lim Hyeonsuughed as if she had lost her mind. I was the same. I wasnt in my right mind either. Youre really a crazy bastard. I dont really want to hear it from you, Ms. Composer Well, whatever. I roughly nodded and was about to leave but stopped my steps again. Oh, right. Ill send you my ount number and the tablets price, so send me the payment. Even if I had a mental breakdown, I couldnt forget about getting reimbursed for my precious tablet. *** [Sudden Quest Completed: Lets get theeback song! PD No, Hoyun, I thought you were the devil! Reward: Charm +10 added.] Hey, there were conversation options? [Yes!] When will ite out? Is there a standard? [Depends on the System windows whims!] Dammit I was foolish to expect a proper answer. I took out my phone and checked my messenger. Several messages from my manager and the members were sent earlier. Ignoring them all, I clicked on the conversation with Lim Hyeonsu. I saw the conversation we had for the past few hours. Me: Ms. Composer, is it not finished yet? Me: Knock, knock. There was no reply, but it showed as read. When I scrolled a little further, it showed that I also sent multiple messages like a madman. Me: Knock, knock. Me: Knock, knock. Me: Knock, knock. Me: Knock, knock. Me: Knock, knock. Lim Hyeonsu: Are you crazy? Me: Our Ms. Composer, is it not finished yet? ^^ I scrolled down more on the messenger. Lim Hyeonsu finally sent the file. Lim Hyeonsu: You crazy bastard, its finished. Lim Hyeonsu: Eat and get lost. She actually made a song in just four hours. She hastily added some lyrics to the beat and recorded it, but surprisingly, it turned out pretty good. It just showed that having a solid foundation of skills really helped. Why did Lim Hyeonsu resort to giarism and unnecessary pressure? What a fool. I called Seo Hojin, who was washing dishes while listening to the song in the living room. Hey, Seo Hojin. Whats up? Come here. Seo Hojin came over obediently, perhaps because he thought he had done something wrong to me. But even so, he seemed startled when he saw my face. Even I would be surprised if he suddenly became ten years younger. I was even startled when I looked in the mirror. Listen to this. What is it, a song? Seo Hojin listened to it, half asleep at first, not knowing what it was. But as he listened, he nodded and even gave a thumbs up. Hey, its pretty good. I stopped the song. Sing the chorus again? What? How am I supposed to remember that? Seo Hojin wasnt particrly talented in music, but he was still better than average. Thats why he was useful in checking things like this. Hey, is that your song, hyung? You dont have to know. Oh,e on. I sent a message to Lim Hyeonsu. Me: Ms. Composer, is this all you can do? Me: I just had my brother listen to it, but he couldnt remember it after five seconds Theres no impact. Me: I thought you were better than this After I sent the message, Lim Hyeonsu called me. I deliberately waited 15 seconds before answering. Hello. What the hell?! Itste at night, but you sound really healthy. When I made a casual greeting, Lim Hyeonsu became silent for a moment. After taking the time to do that much, all you have to say is that itcked impact? Oh, did I offend you? Am I not Lim Hyeonsu? Blue Tiger! Oh Youre really amazing. As I flipped through channels with the TV remote, I yawned deliberately so that Lim Hyeonsu could hear it. I could hear her pride crumbling. You, you I had high expectations because youre such an amazing person, but its a shame. It seems like Blue Tiger cant do any better than this. Is the song really that bad? Its not bad, per se I drew it out slowly, making her curious. All creators were naturally curious about the reactions to their works. Actually, its like you im to have been inspired for three hours, but it feels like you cursed for ten minutes and then spent five minutes recording a rough guide and sent it. She probably felt guilty, as Lim Hyeonsu didnt answer for long. Then she asked me a question slyly. Do you have CCTV installed outside? Hahaha, you have such a rich imagination. Youre a scary bastard Anyway, is that all? I lowered my voice. In moments such as these, a particr tone and voice were required, as if bestowing optimism while anticipating a further contribution from the other individual as though they were capable of more. I know you, Ms. Composer. I also know that you can do better. Thats why its even more disappointing that someone so good can do something so sloppy and say its their best. Seo Hojin, who had been inadvertently eavesdropping, trembled with fear. If I was wrong, theres nothing I can do. I waited five seconds for a response, and then Lim Hyeonsu replied exactly five secondster. You Just wait. And then, the call was disconnected. I couldnt help but feel cheerful and giggle. Lim Hyeonsu, shes got quite a temper. I cant stop using her as a stepping stone with this song. In a little while, maybe one or two hours, Lim Hyeonsu would contact me again. I just had to wait until then. I stopped flipping through the channels on a variety show where an idol was appearing. That face struggling with a hammer, I knew the person very well. Joo Woosung. He was undoubtedly one of the most sessful idols in Korea. Hmm. Seo Hojin was sitting on the couch and peeling a tangerine. Oh, isnt that ck Calls Joo Woosung? Yeah, Seo Hojin knows a lot. Youre pissing me off. It was the tone of someone who wanted to show off their shallow knowledge, even if they knew nothing about idols. Seo Hojin seemed to feel unjust and expressed his opinion. I know him too, you know? I couldnt help but know since my ssmates praised him so much. Hes so popr in our department. Seo Hojin, look up his SNS followers. Okay. Seo Hojin fiddled with his phone for a long time and eventually showed me the screen. Hes 14th in the country. A hundred million followers. Really? Joo Woosung has grown a lot. Right, Joo Woosung was that popr these days. Well, he was already popr Something came to mind. Joo Woosung. I pursed my lips as I looked at Joo Woosung and then smiled. I remembered. Seo Hojin trembled again. Why, why are youughing like that? I really hate it when you smile so friendly like that. Hojin, tangerine. Yes. Seo Hojin suddenly became rigid and swiftly peeled a tangerine before handing it to me. While eating the fruit, I observed Joo Woosung on the TV program, smiling serenely, oblivious to his impending fate. The sweet and sourness of the fruit spread in my mouth. He was the next target. 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! Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Is this really where Joo Woosung lives? Well, I saw Woosung go inst time. As I sat inside the caf, I overheard whispersing from the nearby tables. It seemed that these people were probably saseangs, judging by how they spread out Joo Woosungs photos. Seeing how frequently they checked their surroundings and phones, my suspicions of them being sasaengs grew even higher. Its really hard to see him, though. Joo Woosung hates this kind of thing. If you can endure for a week, you may have the chance to see his face with a mask on. They were really saseangs. I took a sip of my grapefruit smoothie and lifted my phone again. There were lots of messages waiting for me. But they were not from Lim Hyaaeonsu, the manager, or even Seo Hojin. The sasaengs nced toward me. Hey, is that guy a celebrity? I dont recognize his face from anywhere Is he a trainee or something? Oh, maybe he got cast as a backup dancer or something like that? No Im not a trainee. I was probably a semi-idol. I couldnt go to the showcases, but I heard that I had at least recorded my first debut song. Anyway, it was worth putting in the effort andpleting quests until now. As my charm increased, those around me began to react. [Character: Seo Hoyun Specialty: Excessive self-consciousness.] Im gonna die. The system windowined. I cant help it. Today is an important day. [Quest Alert: The System Windows Curiosity. Why did the arrogant Seo Hoyun suddenly put on makeup? Lets solve the System Windows curiosity. Sess: Nothing. Failure: The System Windows tantrum.] You really like to abuse me, dont you? I just ignored him since they would find out soon anyway. The system window was annoyed, and it no longer showed any alerts. The brat, made up of 0s and 1s, kept spouting nonsense. My phone rang, and as I picked it up to check the message, I realized I hadnded a big fish on the line. ???: Who are you? ???: Who are you? What great timing. Me: haha Me: If youre curious,e to the caf. After I sent the messages, I checked the rest of my messages. Manager: Hey, Hoyun, think again. I dont know what youre thinking right now, but you shouldnt show off. If youe back now, the members will wee you, soe back immediately (omitted) I ignored the message from the manager. Next was Lim Hyeonsus. Lim Hyeonsu: Hey hey hey hey Lim Hyeonsu: Seo Hoyun Lim Hyeonsu: Hoyuuuun Lim Hyeonsu: Its amazing how the song is so good Lim Hyeonsu: Good job to me Lim Hyeonsu: Ah I must be a genius Me: Just send it. Lim Hyeonsu: Youre really annoying. Yesterday was when I threatened Lim Hyeonsu. I ignored her as she gloated over her good output. Ill give her someplimentster this afternoon. And then back to the main character of the first set of messages. ???: Wait. Yeah, thats right. I smiled contentedly. Amidst the chaotic messages, I needed only one thing right now. And if youre quick-witted, youll know who I was just messaging. As I skimmed through the messenger, the cafs boss handed me a cake. What is this? As I looked at her suspiciously, the boss smiled. This is a service. Oh, thank you. Feeling happy and bubbly, I wanted to chat more, but then bang! the cafs door opened. Really, it wasnt a bang. It was more of a BANG. A loud banging noise. Thats how anxious he must be. Oh, wow It was a manpletely covered in ck. He had on hat, mask, and sweatpants and was breathing heavily as if he had just arrived here by running. But everything he wore, from head to toe, screamed luxury. Hes here. Our next sucker. Oh? Is that Excuse me. The employees stiffened as they looked at him. The man ignored the surprised boss and wandered around inside the shop. Arent you Joo Woosung? Joo Woosung is a member of the top idol group ck Call in Korea. The group seeded because they invested in everything, from arge nning agency to famous overseasposers to dancers from California. But now hes just my sucker. I slowly raised my hand and called out to him with a big smile. Hyung! Aigo! I didnt want to call someone who was only 25 years old a hyung, but what could I do? I was a 33-year-old man who had gone back 10 years in time. [Quest Arrival: Now Do it Yourself Seo Hoyun, youre doing fine even without a quest. Try ckmailing Joo Woosung once. Sess: Charm +10 Failure: Reputation -100] Joo Woosung slowly fixed his gaze on me as I called out to him. Then he frowned and walked towards me with firm steps. Its you, right? Hyung, youre finally here. Joo Woosung probably didnt recognize me right now, but when I pretended to know him, his expression became a surprise, as if it said, What the heck? What are you doing right now? Who are you? Hey, what kind of joke is this? What? I yfullyughed and approached him closely. I lowered my voice toward Joo Woosung, who still seemed unaware of the situation. Some of your fans are here, Mr. Joo. If you want to avoid strange rumors, lets make a deal. Joo Woosung remained silent with a stiff expression. Then, he lifted the corners of his mouth and said, Cant you take a joke, dongsaeng? Ah, hyung! Ive been waiting for you for a long time. Im sorry. Uh This ce is a bit Lets go out? Sure, lets do that. We stood up with a smile and lightly said farewell to the cafs boss. When I tried to leave the caf with Joo Woosung, his fans hastily followed us. Joo Woosung furrowed his brow, then quickly left, shaking off his fans as we made our way to his house. This isnt some kind of skill trick, is it? Joo Woosung turned away from me. At least I ate some idol jjambap. When we entered the apartment, I saw that the floor was lined with marble. He must have made quite a bit of money. As soon as we were alone, Joo Woosung became guarded with me again. I walked over to the sofa and sat down, feeling like I wanted to lie down to soothe myself even though my body was still young. It was just my nature. You have a nice home. What do you want? It was the same reaction as Lim Hyeonsu had yesterday. Whats with the threats now? Are you a journalist or maybe a scammer? You have a very weak imagination. Yesterday, there was a cute side to Lim Hyeonsu, even though she was rolling her head around. When I honestly expressed my opinion, Joo Woosung bit his lip. Otherwise, how else were you supposed to send this? Joo Woosung confidently held out his phone. It was a picture of him hugging another idol. Although it wasnt clear as they were turning their heads, it was evident that they were living happily together. Dating. The sin of idols. It was almost on par with drugs, drunk driving, and violence. Nowadays, opinions have improved, and even ordinary fans cheer for them, but they are not true hardcore fans. Its like a scene from a drama. It was regrettable, but it was just good ckmail material for me now. It was shamefully taken. Are you a paparazzi? I have never told anyone about this Its something simr. I once attempted to create a unique segment about idols personal lives for a journalism show. Someone gave me a photo at the time, and I knew I would eventually find the perfect opportunity to use it. Who are you! Oh, hold on a moment. Lets calm down. Are you going to report me? I calmly confronted him, sensing that the tension wouldnt dissipate. As a result, I chose to gently dampen his spirit. It probably wouldnt be me that you regret the most, would it? If I snap my fingers once, the email will be sent. The media folks will have a field day with this. What would happen then? I kindly informed Joo Woosung of the reality. < Joo Woosungs Secret Date with an Innocent Girl Group Idol?! > So, do you want to top the search rankings tomorrow? And the intes reaction would be like this. I told you not to let him know that Im an ATM machine Ah, Im so pissed off. Last time, Joo Woosung imed his fans were his only girlfriend. I wonder if the ring he wore that day was a couples ring, damn. Well Its okay. Many idols openly date nowadays. But theres a catch. But it appears to change every three months or so. Thest onested four months. Before that, it was two months, and the one before that, just three weeks. It seems like you have dated almost everyone who appears on music shows, right? Joo Woosung was a bit of a yer. He wasnt a two-timer but changed girlfriends at a 5G-level speed. The White Cherry girl group member wasnt the end of it. The idols and actresses he dated could fill up a whole truck. If that was ever exposed, Joo Woosungs clean image would be ruinedpletely. What if Joo Woosungs list of ex-girlfriends gradually leaked online? One by one, two by two, three by three As I slowly unveiled the truth, Joo Woosungs face turned pale. It was bound to blow up sooner orter. Yes, thats right. Closing the homepage. Goodbye, my hot summer. Im going to go crazy. Crazy bastard. The homepage will be permanently closed. Please refer to the tweet for the refund forms. The sound of keyboards cking as the fans left. That crazy guy dated while going around like that . Wow! I cant believe I liked that bastard How did he deceive fans for 5 years?? And then, the final act. Official: We demand Joo Woosungs expulsion. Well, there wont be any website not calling for Joo Woosungs removal, right? Joo Woosung buried his face in his hands. After feeling hopeless for a while, he finally asked a question. Money? Is it about money? Hes really getting on my nerves I wanted to use that line too. I genuinely felt bad for someone without money in this alternate world. How much will it take? Thats not the point. There was something more significant. Seeing even Joo Woosung practically begging on his knees was sad, and I felt sympathy for him. Its not about money; its something else. Honestly, whats the problem with idols dating you, Joo Woosung? Just because they met one wrong guy Enough. So, what now? What do you want from me? Iughed. As I thought, this guycked imagination. At least Lim Hyeonsu had a better head on her shoulders. Do you know who I am? You need to know that first. Do I need to know that? Of course, you needed to know, you jerk. Im Seo Hoyun. An idol. Silence filled the air. Joo Woosung pursed his dry lips for a moment. Are you crazy? [Choices:
  1. Hehe! (I giggled and yfully hit my head with a fist) Im not a crazy person!
  2. Crazy for sess (star).
  3. Ive tried hitting the note and making waves.]
I clenched my hand tightly. Time passed dizzyingly. True to form, my mouth had a will of its own. Hehe! It wasnt just words I giggled and hit my head with my fist. Im not a crazy person! Fuck Youre a crazy person Joo Woosung looked at me pitifully, having truly epted that I was insane. I wanted to bite my tongue and ckout. I rubbed my forehead and looked back on my life, wondering what I did wrong. There were too many things to make sense of. Youre a crazy junior, yeah, I get it. I know youre an idol from what Ive heard, but I couldnt remember. Its okay. You wont forget being threatened by your junior. Joo Woosung rubbed his forehead and asked again with patience. So, what do you want? You must want something if youre talking to me for so long with a picture in hand. Of course. What else besides money? Apparently, this kid couldnt be like Lim Hyeonsu. I sighed and picked up a red pen to write the answer. Joo Woosung looked at me anxiously. What do I want right now? Its very, very easy and simple. When I spoke calmly, Joo Woosung shuddered, and his arms trembled. Come to think of it, Joo Woosung seemed to have avoided me even when I was a PD. Even though we didnt have any contact. What did he say, what did he say Why did he avoid me? Can you act well, hyung? I was still a good person. 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! Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Professor I feel burying myself in the schools backyard would be faster than graduating. Why do I have to go to school? No and why isnt ck Call making aeback? Dont you want to work with the agency anymore??? A graduate student who posted on SNS today cursed their professor thoroughly. They said being a fan in theter stages was scarier and that meeting Joo Woosung of ck Call, an idol she used to casually fangirl over as a student, changed her. This kid Hes good-looking She shed tears thinking that for thest three months, all she had re-shared on social media was Joo Woosungs rice cake photo. ck Call was a male idol group that was ambitiouslyunched by a major nning agency a few years ago and was undoubtedly a top-tier idol in Korea. Although she was initially known as a muggle fan, she had be a true stan after getting into it once. She was posting while annoyed and cursing the agency when a notification from Joo Woosungs SNS appeared. Huh? Crazy, was it finally happening? This guy who constantly posted #Ads #Brand Name without properly showing his face made her feel like she would die. But today, he finally posted his own face! As she happily scrolled through, the graduate student frowned at the next video that was uploaded. Whats this? *** Daepaseong Entertainment. It had only been two days, but because he had done so much, it felt like he hadnte in for a long time. After seeing Joo Woosungs apartment once, thepany building looked even more dpidated, and he sighed. But on his phone, he had a powerful weapon hidden. As he walked into the building, he saw Jeong Dajun limping anxiously in the lobby. Hyung? Yeah. Jeong Dajuns eyes widened, and he hurriedly ran towards him, grabbing his arm and stretching it out. Why werent you answering my calls, Hoyun-hyung? Um Your diction is good. Oh, hyung! Wah, I was unsure if it looked like blood came out of my ears as he kept asking me questions. I pulled my arm away from him and asked, How have you been? How have I been? Kang Ichae popped up beside us. He shook his head like a crazy person. It was crazy the past two days. Seonghyeon-hyung was going crazy The atmosphere was really tense. Jiwon-hyung covered for that No, thats not important. Did you finally give up? What did I give up? Huh? You didnte because you couldnt get the song, right? These kids really didnt trust me enough. I squeezed the back of Jeong Dajuns head as he looked up at me innocently. In the blink of an eye, Jeong Dajun let out a cry of pain that he couldnt help but make, and Kang Ichae met my gaze. A fleeting expression in Kang Ichaes eyes seemed to say, No way. Kang Ichae may act like a lunatic, but hes quick-witted. Really? Yeah, really. I replied sullenly. Kang Ichae still doubted me but obediently headed to the practice room. There, I saw Kim Seonghyeon and Seong Jiwon having a serious conversation. They both stood up abruptly when they caught sight of me. You came back? Kim Seonghyeon nced at me, and I could also feel Seong Jiwons embarrassed gaze. Why did they both seem so gloomy? Hey, Hoyun. Seong Jiwon hesitated before approaching me. Youve been through a lot, huh? Huh? I heard thatposer Lim Hyeonsu has a rough personality and a sharp tongue Did she say anything harsh? This was an unexpected development. Seong Jiwon wasforting me under the assumption that I failed. I heard it. What What did she say? Crazy bastard, idiot, son of a bitch You name it, I heard it. Lim Hyeonsus mouth was still bitter. As I objectively listed the words I heard, the practice room atmosphere, which was already about to explode, became even tenser. Hyung Oh dear Jeong Dajun cried as if the world hade to an end. Kim Seonghyeon, who I thought would be sarcastic, surprisingly kept his mouth shut and tried to console me. Well, you did a good job. Dont be too disappointed that we didnt receive the song What are you talking about? When did I say I didnt receive it? Huh? Of course, I received it. I said I would bring it. Everyone had a dazed expression, unable to ept reality. I walked past them and connected my phone to the speaker. The speaker was quite worn out. Ill have to buy a new one when I get paid. Then I yed the audio file I had received on my phone earlier. I remembered what Lim Hyeonsu had said when she called and sent me the file. Hey, I really suddenly got inspired by something. Could it be that my talent is crazy? Yes Is this asshole even listening? At first, it was garbled as if underwater. And after a moment, the sound began to be heard properly with a beeping noise, as if waking up. An intense electronic beat began. As I kept going, I got excited and put in various things. There are still parts I dont like, so I will change them. Anyway, she was a perfectionist. At the same time, I didnt expect her to do it, but Lim Hyeonsu herself sang the guide song. Temporary lyrics were added to match the concept I had conveyed. She had a husky womans voice, but there was no problem changing it to a male key. Say it once more. Its the beginning for us, I wille back every time, Dont be afraid of this strange feeling, No need to worry. The lyrics fit surprisingly well. Even without saying it, it was obvious that this was a Blue Tiger song. These were Lim Hyeonsus favorite beats, songs, concepts, and styles. She whined, but she created a great beat and melody. You did well, Lim Hyeonsu. Three minutes and forty seconds passed, and the song ended. It turned out well. All that was left was to add more detailed nning and story and ask Lim Hyeonsu to modify the lyrics. What do you think? I turned towards the members with a subtly satisfied expression. I expected them to be jumping with excitement, but they were all It was silent. Why are you all like that? Are you still suspicious? Did they still doubt that its a Blue Tiger song? I even considered making a video call with Lim Hyeonsu to prove it, but Seong Jiwon nodded. It seemed like he understood. I trust you. Then why? What was with this silence? How did you get it? How do you know each other Those things are secondary. Meanwhile, Kim Seonghyeon opened his mouth. He seemed hesitant. Its ours, right? Of course. No need to say it was received as a talent donation. After a long silence, Kang Ichae spoke up. The song is good. Suddenly, Jeong Dajun sniffled at those words, startling everyone. I was the most surprised. Are you crying? No, Im not crying Ugh, its so frustrating. Why are you crying? Its amon thing that people who were crying often had no answer when asked why they were crying. But I couldnt help but ask because it was so absurd. Instead of Jeong Dajun, who was busy pretending not to cry by sniffling, Seong Jiwonforted him and exined to him. Maybe its because the song is so good. We received a song that we can only get from a big nning agency. Its unbelievable. Wow Dajun has been struggling for a year. Ah, at least he didnt say he disliked it. Jeong Dajun continued to cry while Seong Jiwon offered affectionate words to him. Suddenly, Kang Ichae stood up and pped. Lets all p. Apuse for us who have escaped from the curse of Pineapple. And apuse for that bastard Seo Hoyun! At least the atmosphere changed a bit. It was fortunate that Kang Ichae had a strong mentality. No one said anything, but I could tell from their eyes that they were grateful to me. Even Kim Seonghyeon. Thank you He didnt directly say thank you until the end. Ugh I quickly revised the image in my mind. These guys might end up guaranteeing something they cant handle Theyre all too innocent. I waited for this sudden warm atmosphere to calm down. And when Jeong Dajun stopped sniffing, I pped my hands. Okay, guys. Lets talk. They were afraid of what I would say next, but they just looked at each others faces without saying anything. I nodded my head and threw them a printout that I had prepared. Kang Ichae, who was nearby, caught it deftly. Whats this? Data. What data? Its not just about picking a song. Choreography, lyrics, nning. Ive gathered all the current trends. So what? When Jeong Dajun was still bewildered, Kang Ichae and Kim Seonghyeon seemed to have noticed and were already scanning the data. Yes, idols had to be quick-witted. n it ording to the song, and then we will all look at it. Huh? We cant apply Pineapples n here. Ill tell the CEO that we need topletely revise it. Usually, the first step was to n, and only when it wasplete could you move on toposing, lyrics, and choreography, but we only had one month left. Its better to assume were dead. Everyone seemed to be determined, nodding their heads like crazy. Well work hard. Yeah! Lets do it! Its already two oclock, right? Yeah! I looked at my phone. Ille back by three. Then well go to the nning meeting. You guys had to pay for your meals now. Thats ridiculous No, well do it. While the manager and Jeong Dajun were speechless, Seong Jiwon suddenly stood up with a fierce look in her eyes. Ill leave this to you. I gestured toward the manager. Come with me. Me, why? Huh? Where are you going, Hoyun-hyung? Arent we supposed to be doing this together? Nope. Of course, as a former PD, I could n with my eyes closed, but there was something more urgent now. I pointed up in response to Kang Ichaes question. To meet with the CEO. Everyone was speechless. Thats ridiculous? We have to start over from scratch, so yeah. Hoyun, Im sorry for making you the scapegoat. Ding! [Um Hmm] Even the system window that had been sulking lost its words and sighed towards these innocent members. Its okay. I turned my head and grabbed the manager, walking briskly to the CEOs office. The manager was speechless, but we had business to attend to. You said you fixed all the contracts, right? Uh, well, but theres no need to call the CEO We must consult him about the nsplete overhaul. Is actually an excuse. I needed to face off with the CEO alone. When we arrived at the CEOs office, the man I had seenst time was still looking at documents with a serious expression. What is it? Hello, Im Seo Hoyun. Ah Did you want to talk about the contract? The CEO narrowed his eyes. Yes, thats one of the reasons. Please contact me in advance next time. You keep showing up suddenly I cant trust this damn entertainmentpany that hasnt done anything even though we had about a month until oureback date. As I stayed still, the CEO sighed and gestured to the manager. The contract. Yes! The manager brought it over in a hurry. I quickly nced over the contents of the contract while sitting in front of the CEO. Usually, people in their early 20s, and especially those who trained in practice rooms as idols, didnt even know what this and that were, so they just stamped their seal on it and were done with it. The search revealed that there was still no properly written contract, so I made a new one ording to the standards. The manager exined to me in detail while I dryly flipped through the document consisting of about 10 pages. I asked, Did you tell the CEO Im going to overhaul the n? Uh? UhI roughly mentioned it, but Looks like they skipped over it slyly. Overhaul the n? Why? Because its a waste of time. I looked at the CEO, hoping to see a frown on his face. He probably thought it was just arrogance. Suddenly, the manager next to me started tapping his foot. H-Hoyun is not just saying this! He brought a song from Blue Tiger! Oh, damn it. These were the words I was going to use at the crucial moment, the words I was going to use to encourage him, but they didnte out. I gave the manager a cold nce and turned my eyes to the CEO, who looked interested. From Blue Tiger? 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! Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Yes. I received it today and brought it with me. I will send the samplester. Did you have any personal rtionship with them? Well Its not important. They seemed to be more cooperative than I thought. Normally, we should release the song ording to our n, but in this case, we need to do the opposite. I want to redesign the n to fit the song. Your song wasnt that great. Oh, the conversation was going surprisingly well. At the same time, I felt uneasy. Did I push it aside because I was toozy to deal with their bad song? If possible, Id like to attend the meeting immediately. We dont have much time. Well Okay. Ill talk to the nning team again. The members must have already thought of something since youre short on time. Yes. Im confident that we can go in a good direction. The specifics hadnt been decided yet, but the problem could be resolved by working with the nning team. The CEO nodded decisively. We cant provide an additional budget. Damn, I knew this would happen. At least we have toe up with the choreography. We can do the nning internally Do we have a dance team at ourpany? Were a professional actor managementpany. We dont have one. What about an external dance team? We dont have any additional support. Thispany was so pathetic We can either utilize the existing choreography or cant we ask Seonghyeon for help? He dances pretty well. Lets ask him. Dancing and choreography werepletely different issues, you idiot! No matter how much I tried to exin, the CEO didnt seem to understand anything. If the option of Disappointing CEO and quitting thepany came up, I would choose it without hesitation. Okay, I understand for now. I shouldnt forget to revise the members contractster. I let out a sigh. Well, lets just stamp it quickly then. Yes, yes. Hoyun, heres the contract. Oh, that. ? Just as the manager, who appeared to believe the conversation had concluded, nodded vigorously like an enthusiastic bobblehead and prepared to usher me out with the contract, I snatched it from him. I held it up like a tattered cloth. I came here alone for a reason. There are two modifications. What are they? First of all, please rewrite the settlement ratio. Did it make sense for thepany to get 80% and the idols only get 20%? Even if the contract was short, this was not eptable. The CEO and the manager were confused by my words, and each responded differently. Our profit distribution rate is not that bad We dont distribute profits if the break-even point is below a certain level. The debt just keeps piling up. Otherpanies do this too. Haha, lets hear it out. How much do you want? The CEO calmed down quickly and burst intoughter. I alsoughed as I replied. 70-30. For such a bold statement, youre quite timid. Ill think about it. If thepany has 70%, otherpanies also have What were you talking about? No, I meant I want 70%. As soon as I said that, everyone immediately fell silent. An oppressive hush filled the CEOs office. The CEO then removed his sses and peered with squinted eyes. Hoyun. Yes. Are you joking with me right now? No, Im not. S-Seo Hoyun! The manager hastily tugged at my arm. Manager, you should be protecting the artist in this situation. Why were you doing this? I suppose he had to say something since his sry came from thepany. You seem very eager to get that one song, but the initial investment was quite challenging, Hoyun. I know. In fact, thepany mayckpetence, but they should be respectful towards profit distribution and the artists. Its also true that the group, which had been active for a year since their debut, was not disbanded immediately despite theirck of potential. More precisely, they were simply neglected. You dont know if that one song will make you guys sessful It has to go viral. Yes. Unfortunately, theres no member in The Dawn with that level of public recognition. Jiwon was a trainee at a major agency before, so he might have connections, but you dont do you? He spoke softly yet bluntly. It was a valid point. If I wasnt here, it would have been a valid point. It was time to speak up. The CEO smiled awkwardly as if he had interpreted my silence as something meaningful. Ill think more about the settlement. Dont be too pessimistic for now. CEO! Suddenly, someone who looked like a staff member rushed into the office. The CEO frowned at the staff members flustered appearance. Why are all the kids like this today? Sorry, sorry. But its urgent Oh! Seo Hoyun coincidentally is here too! Coincidentally? Perfect timing. I smiled and nodded. The staff member recognized me. The cue had arrived. The staff member nced at me with an expression I couldnt discern whether it was resentment or something else and quickly said, Thepanys phone lines are down. What? Why? The manager appeared baffled. It was a smallpany, but they didnt have any actors famous enough for their phones to be overwhelmed so suddenly. Did someone get into an ident? Is Jihyeon dating someone? Or did he take drugs? No, no Its not that. The staff member waved his hand in a hurry. Then he nced at me. To be exact, its rted to Seo Hoyun Oh, Joo Woosung did a good job. Thank you, Woosung. I smiled leisurely, but the CEO and manager had bewildered faces. What coboration does Joo Woosung have with Seo Hoyun? Or is Seo Hoyun entering a new project? Fans and investors of Joo Woosung are suddenly calling like crazy. Joo Woosung? ck Call? Is he rted to Hoyun? Three hours ago, a video of Joo Woosung with Seo Hoyun was uploaded on SNS. They said he is a precious and kind little brother with a perfect personality from head to toe. Pfft. Ding! [You got caught!] Did you have to add such an embarrassingment? I clearly decided on the content and the video to upload Big trouble. Joo Woosungs pride seemed to have been hurt by how easily he was caught. I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself while waiting for what wasing next. How did this happen? Are you close with Joo Woosung? The manager asked in surprise. Close? As if. Of course, its all the story I made up. I remembered Joo Woosung a few hours ago. He mumbled nervously when I brought up what I wanted this morning. You want me to shoot some videos with you for SNS? Yes, please upload a few with the concept of a close neighborhood younger brother. Ill let you know when its time to upload. Is that all youre asking for? No, theres more, Woosung. Do you think I would use a valuable asset like you as a disposable one here? Yes, thats all. But I only pretended like that was all there was to it. Lets get to know each other slowly. When I confidently answered, Joo Woosung awkwardly agreed. I see. I thought you were a really big deal. Youre right, I am a big deal. Well, it must be nice. Just pressing a few buttons on the SNS to make money. But this wasnt just any celebrity. It was Joo Woosung, ranked 14th on SNS in terms of followers. A single post from him was worth tens of millions of won. Ill work hard, even posting that one phrase would make it appear in entertainment articles on the tform with titles like Celebritys New Years Resolution. It didnt end with just an article. Fans had a bigger reaction. Fans already knew about his personal life and stories of close acquaintances. Many people followed those friends ounts just to see one more picture of him. But what if someonepletely new and unknown suddenly popped up on Joo Woosungs SNS profile, which, until now, had been solely dedicated to advertising? Of course, theyll look for who it is. I didnt want to pretend to be close to Joo Woosung, but fortunately, he had a cat. After shaking the kitty grass a few times, wepleted a video that we could upload to SNS. Oh, it looks like my cat likes Hoyun. He probably likes me more than you. You crossed the line. Joo Woosung acted well, and after monitoring the video, he and I looked like we had known each other for ten years. With my face polished and groomed at a professional shop and the effort I put into my charm points, I didnt look too bad even when I was with Joo Woosung an important point. While looking at the video, I praised Joo Woosung. Joo Woosung, youre a good actor. To please so desperately. Ignoring Joo Woosungs disappointed mumbling, I made my way to the front door to return to thepany. But before I left, I petted the cat meandering around my ankles as if saying goodbye. Joo Woosung seemed to feel betrayed. What? You dont treat me like that. It seemed like Joo Woosung became foolish when it came to cats. There was no longer time to deal with fools, so I left for thepany immediately. Thats how it happened. How do you know each other? Were close an older brother and younger brother. However, I had no intention of telling everything. After hesitating in the ambiguous atmosphere of the office, the office worker decided to report everything to the CEO. So, a sudden controversy is arising within Joo Woosungs fandom regarding Seo Hoyun. It has be a topic of discussion in onlinemunities, with people questioning whether Seo Hoyun is a trainee or joining The Dawn as a member. If theyre a member, fans ask when they would make aeback. Of course, there are alsointsing in from fans. Fans were calling in angrily, asking why Seo Hoyun was suddenly mentioned with Joo Woosung. I anticipated this kind of response. But its okay. For celebrities who relied on their poprity, anti-fans were better than indifference. Just get out of here. Yes! The staff quickly left. The CEO seemed hesitant. CEO. I decided to drive the nail in here. If you entrust the nning to me, Ill make sure that The Dawnseback music tops the charts of all three major music tforms. What? Top the charts of all three? The CEOs expression changed. I heard it was difficult to even get on one of themst time. It was as if the atmosphere had be uneasy when the topic of charting suddenly came up, as they may not know much about it. Well, Mango was difficult to get on. A year ago, the chart was almost fixed like a brick with the revamp to a 24-hour cumtive system. It was like trying to catch a falling star for rookie idols to break into the chart. I looked at the CEO subtly. But I know one of them and not the other two. Yes, you are right. I swallowed my inner thoughts and smiled gently at the CEO. Ill make sure to top the charts. Dont worry. Is it just talk? C-CEO. There are many people who can talk the talk. There are many stars who be popr for a short time under the spotlight. I need a clear marker Can it be done within a day? A day? The manager next to me was amazed, but I smirked. This kid was trying to overwhelm me again Yes. Of course, it didnt go smoothly. I wanted to return to the contract. I mentioned earlier that there were two modifications. One is adjusting the settlement ratio. Secondly I slowly and alternately turned my gaze to the CEO and the manager. The manager swallowed his saliva with a gulp. It seemed like he would make an excellent real audience. Secondly, there is a penalty use. If I fail to make it to the music charts within a day after the release of this activity, the investment money that has been put into me so far should be charged to me twice as much. Seo Hoyun! The managers voice sounded sharp. The CEO looked at me piercingly with a calm expression. I pretended to be indifferent, but I knew I was throwing a tantrum. I heard there were only five members, and the trainee life was not that long under Daepaseong Entertainment, so it would cost about 300-400 million won a year. Then, if its twice as much, its at least 600 million won. There was no need to adjust the contract with the penalty use, but I felt that I had to put something at stake, which is why I wasining about the penalty use. If I requested an adjustment to the settlement ratio without offering anything in return, it wouldnt make much difference whether I brought a song or became a top star. At the end of his gaze, the CEO seemed to understand my intention. He must still be ill. Hes talking nonsense Okay. Lets make the penalty use twice as much as the investment. What?! The CEO nodded his head and took the contract. The settlement ratio is too harsh at 7:3 Lets make it 60 for thepany and 40 for you. Ill take 60, and thepany will take 40. A brief power struggle ensued. Five-for-five? How about 55:45? No. Ill take 60. Bam! Ill take 60. Bam! It was like a scene from an old drama where the negotiator passes by. And the CEO burst outughing. Youre not just stubborn. Thank you for yourpliment. Its not apliment. Okay, Seo Hoyun, well adjust it separately for you. Its not like Im doing such bad business anyway. Im saying this considering the penalty use. I knew the CEO would act this way. It was a good decision not to tell the other members and came alone. Whether we revise the contractter or not, I achieved our goal for now. I nodded my head and stood up. Call me when youplete the contract with the additional modifications. Ill stamp it. Hoyun. Yes? Were not such a badpany. You can back out now if you want. I might have been swayed by your arrogance, but Now is the only time. From now on, you must take responsibility for your words. Uh-huh. It looked weak, but it was a demand to pay the penalty if I failed. Well, it could be just a hypothetical statement considering the unfair contract in the future Haha. Responsibility. I always took responsibility. When I promised to make anyone a star no matter what I did as a corrupt PD. When I promised to take care of my younger brother at my parents funeral. I always kept my promises, no matter what. Of course, I will take responsibility. What are you talking about? He just nodded and lowered his head. The CEOs uneasy gaze was directed at me. Shrugging my shoulders, I left the CEOs office, and the system window popped up. Ding! [Quest Arrived! Seo Hoyun, you have crossed an uncrossable river. We will give you a quest. If The Dawnseback song seeds on the music chart: +100 Fame, +20 Charm, +20 Dance, +20 Singing. If you fail: consider filing for bankruptcy. Its better than being in debt!] Oh,e on. Iughed at thest words. 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! Chapter 10 Chapter 10 As I exited the CEOs office, the manager hurriedly chased me. Hoyun, you really Manager. Uh, yeah? Please dont tell the other members about what I said there. The managers eyes shook. Seeing him looking uneasy, I drove the point home once again. Saying something like that will only shake the other members mental state. Whats important right now is oureback. Yeah. He still looked at me with worried eyes but eventually nodded cautiously. Satisfied with his response, I went into the practice room. The members continuously practiced while ying the song they received from Lim Hyeonsu. Wait, practicing? How could they practice when theres no choreography? When I returned, Jeong Dajun jumped up and greeted me. Hoyun-hyung! ? Whats with this sudden atmosphere? Jeong Dajun ran up to me like a puppy. Seong Jiwon also stopped singing and smiled widely at me. Hoyun, weve nned everything. Already? And weve even made the choreography! What kind of nonsense was this? When I made a face, Seong Jiwon watched me closely. Didnt the CEO say he wouldnt provide any additional funding? And that he wouldnt support the choreography either. How did you know? Oh, just as expected. Oh, just as expected? What kind of treatment were these guys receiving? As I felt uneasy, Jeong Dajun squealed excitedly. I only thought of it after Hoyun-hyung left. The CEO wouldnt give us any money, and how are we supposed to get support for the choreography? So, we just did it ourselves to save time. In just thirty minutes? Seonghyeon-hyung suddenly went wild. I didnt expect that. Jeong Dajun vigorously nodded his head and pointed at Kim Seonghyeon. You have to see it now. Hey, you werent kidding either. Kang Ichae said while gasping for breath and covered in sweat. Jeong Dajun awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. While nodding my head, I observed the atmosphere inside the practice room. Its good that they predicted it and saved time by doing it themselves, but It felt a bit forced, didnt it? Jeong Dajun clung to me. The more you listen to it, the more you realize its a great song. Its so exciting that weve already created the basic choreography. Its all thanks to Hoyun. Seong Jiwon praised me while nodding his head. I rolled my eyes. Why did they suddenly be so friendly? Its overflowing. Sung Ji-won smiled slightly. Ah I guess I look like a savior to them. I understood it roughly. From their perspective, I must have looked like a lifeboat. At that moment, the system window popped up. [Seong Jiwons rtionship with Jeong Dajun is very friendly.] I tried to gain their trust but didnt expect it to be this easy. Dont count on me too much. Worry came before a sense of aplishment. It was fortunate that Kim Seonghyeon and Kang Ichae were quietly waiting. Kim Seonghyeon, dozing off, asked, Manager, we still have time before the nning team arrives, right? Uh, yeah, about 30 minutes left. Great. Weve already talked about the nning, so Lets show Hoyun the choreography first. Thats a good idea. Kang Ichae smiled. Come here. Let us show you the choreography that weve made. Kang Ichae pulled me towards the mirror. I sat down and watched them while Kang Ichae smiled and yed the music. The beat flowed in a steady rhythm. Say it again, we are starting, I wille back every time, You dont need to be afraid, No need to be afraid. Since the parts were not assigned, the choreography was only roughly organized, but even in my opinion, the basic choreography was quite good. They split the trendy movements into smaller pieces and inserted them to match the beat. I didnt know, but surprisingly all of them were good dancers. Jeong Dajun was a bit behind, but he wasnt bad either. No, it was rather the other three were too good. Lets leave together now, I wanna be with you all the time. Is it dangerous? The more excellent their dance was, the more cold sweat I felt on my back. It was the first crisis I had experienced since joining this game. That thought hit me hard when Kang Ichae came out in thetter half, stepped on the back, and did a backflip. My expression frozepletely. After dancing until the end, they were utterly exhausted but showed subtle expectations. The manager almost jumped up and down beside me, apuding like crazy. You guys are amazing! Wow, wow You guys are insane. I cant believe I suggested we do Pineapple with you guys Excuse me, did you know that Pineapple sucked? Are you okay? Yeah, honestly, the members were great. Plus, Kim Seonghyeon, who was supposed to be the main dancer, flew aroundpletely. There were a few things to fix, but I thought there was no need to worry about their dancing. But When I fell silent, Seong Jiwon, who had been watching me, asked me a question. Why, whats wrong, Hoyun? Is there something you dont like? No, um I was nervous. I like it. I like Its okay, just watch! What, are you scared? Well, I Juste in and try it once. You have to match with me. Kang Ichae took my arm and stood me next to Kim Seonghyeon. It seemed like this was where I was supposed to start. My pupils shook even more. Why did I have to be next to the flying Kim Seonghyeon? Kim Seonghyeon nced at me briefly. Just try it once. Its okay even if its roughly done. Just match the movements. I was even more worried because Kim Seonghyeon was more considerate than I had thought. Ah, the moment finally came. y the music! One, two! I nodded my head without saying anything. Kang Ichae nced at me and started the song with enthusiasm. The same beat as before echoed, and everyone started the dance. Amidst it, I also raised my hands and followed them. ? Kim Seonghyeon slowly pushed my back and taught me the movements. However, the problem was that it got more challenging as we went further into the song. As the song progressed, the atmosphere in the practice room became tense. Kim Seonghyeon eventually said, Kang Ichae, turn off the music. Yes. Kang Ichae quickly caught on and turned off the music. When I stopped moving and stood awkwardly, Kim Seonghyeon asked me another question. Seo Hoyun, why? Why are you so stiff like that? Shit. Here it was. The problem finally came up. I tried quickly avoiding the members gaze, but this tactic did not solve the problem. Ive never danced before. Of course not. Ive only studied to be a PD. I sang to please my superiors, but dancing was not part of the n. Did any ordinary adult male practice boy group dances? Is it because its your first time? Seong Jiwon cautiously added his opinion, but Kim Seonghyeon was right. I was a disaster. Desperately so. Lets y it a little slower and break down the movements. Youll be okay if you learn it in small steps. Despite being a trainee for a long time, Seong Jiwon still had a humble attitude. I silently nodded my head. Kang Ichae yed the song again, and Kim Seonghyeon led the group from the front. Here it goes, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. Kim Seonghyeon was urate. And although Jeong Dajun couldnt follow as well as I did, he wasnt as bad as me. I watched Kim Seonghyeon intently and followed him closely. Thump, thump, thump. Thump Kim Seonghyeon looked at me. Oh no I wanted to say I was too overwhelmed to keep going, but I couldnt say it aloud. When the song, which was ying slowly, finally ended, we werepletely speechless. Why are you still stumbling? Kim Seonghyeon really wondered. Kang Ichae had the same expression. Hyung, why are you suddenly so bad? Well, thats I dont think it was this bad in the past either. I had nothing to say. I closed my mouth and hung my head like a criminal. Ah, its been so long since Icked anything to say like this. Sorry, I totally forgot. ! Really? Is it because youre ill? Well, um I think its a post-traumatic stress thing. I forgot all the dance moves. Everyone epted what I said. Kim Seonghyeon seemed a little skeptical, but what could he do if the person was ill? This is a serious problem. We have less than a month left until oureback. Can you improve your dancing skills for this dance within a month? Jeong Dajun asked cautiously. Hey, whats this thing about dancing skills? I looked at him, but Jeong Dajun was sincere. Kim Seonghyeon also considered seriously what to do with me while Seong Jiwon stared at me fiercely. Im gonna punch your faces, you sons of a bitch. Wait, Hoyun. Lets try it together. ? You dance first, got it? Seong Jiwon looked at me with an ambiguous expression and yed the song again to watch me dance. I followed his lead, and his expression gradually became strange. He sped up the song. What about this part? Uh I stopped momentarily, trying to remember which part he was referring to, but then I quickly danced as soon as I remembered. My dance moves were basicpared to the members, but it felt good anyway. After trying several times with the song, Seong Jiwon mumbled something to himself. Finally, I was able to stop dancing like a puppet. Wow. Why? Seong Jiwon pursed his lips, but Kim Seonghyeon seemed to have noticed too. Youve memorized the dance by now. ! Everyone was surprised. Jeong Dajun stood up in surprise. Havent you memorized it all, hyung? Uh Well. How did you do it? I just memorized it by watching it. Then Jeong Dajun looked at me as if I were a monster. Kim Seonghyeon nodded his head. It was strange. You matched the moves correctly from the second time. So, Hoyun already memorized it when we were practicing? How is that possible? Three minutes and forty seconds was quite a long time. They talked among themselves like evaluating a freshly caught tuna at an auction, leaving me alone. Sometimes there are people like that. Those who have been dancing for a long time can memorize it after watching it once or twice. But Seo Hoyun cant dance. Well, thats true Hey Seong Jiwon quietly agreed. It was a valid point, but I was slightly annoyed hearing it from them. Kang Ichae nodded along with the members words and added his opinion. So then Hyung has an excellent memory. Thats right! A hollowughter broke out. The atmosphere was lightened by the joke. Seong Jiwon took advantage of this and pped his hands to restore the mood. Well, its not entirely impossible. Hyung, did you really say that even after seeing Hoyun-hyung dance? Kang Ichae, be quiet. Surprisingly, Kim Seonghyeon stepped forward and stopped Kang Ichae. Seong Jiwon nodded his head. His passionate eyes were fixed on me, which made me feel a little ufortable. Its possible for you to do it. Umm I dont think I can do it. Seo Hoyun, you said the same thing before. Well teach you well so that you can seed. I deliberately lit the fire, but the sparks were flying like this. I kept my mouth shut. If this scene had been on my program, I could have edited it to create a growth narrative with a soul. It was unfortunate that I wasnt a PD. Ill teach you, or rather, well all teach you so you can keep up with us. Seong Jiwon said carefully. Korean idols had to do everything well. They needed good singing, dancing, looks, personality, and entertainment skills but also luck to seed. As I was now an idol, it was right to follow those rules. I spoke slowly as I watched the passionate Seong Jiwon and the members. I dont know. Yeah. So Please teach me well. Im asking you. As I spoke, everyones eyes widened. The members began to rub their arms as if they were getting goosebumps. Wow, this is really awkward Its so awkward when youve been begging like a beggar for days, and, suddenly, youre like this. Just tell me what to do, for gods sake. What happened to my image? The only one who hadnt said anything, Jeong Dajun, looked at me and asked cautiously, Hyung, did you eat something weird? That bastard.
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! Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Hey guys, its great that the atmosphere is warm, but we have to join the nning team meeting now. Kang Ichae nodded at the managers words. Right, we were shocked by Hoyun-hyungs dancing, and we totally forgot about it. Do you want to die? When I asked, Kang Ichae chuckled and followed the manager. I was sincere, but Kang Ichae seemed to be joking. Seong Jiwon also followed behind, giggling. Ding! [Quest Arrival!: Lets persuade the nning team! Seo Hoyun, youre doing well. Im worried about the dance, but. Try to persuade the nning team. Persuade the nning team 0/1 Sess: Dance +10 Failure: Dance -100] Was the system good or not? Its starting to confuse me. But these guys Did they make a good n? I was bothered that I couldnt discuss the nning because I was too focused on the choreography. That anxiety soon became a reality when we sat down with the nning team. We want a monster concept. Oh, no. Its a high school club concept. What? Wasnt our concept an intelligence agent? Everyone expressed their opinions while chattering. These kids were too focused on the choreography to discuss the nning properly. The nning team leader smiled awkwardly as he watched the members get perplexed by what they had said to each other. Um I guess you didnt discuss it well? The nning team leader wasughing, but it was a sign that he was upset about something. I watched him silently with my mouth shut. We thought you were going to overhaul the nning, so we thought you had a clear vision. We want to adjust things with the nning team slowly. I quickly interrupted. The nning team leader widened his eyes and looked at me. Um, right. Seo Hoyun, is it? Youre popr today, right? Why are you being a pain today? Yes, thank you. Okay. The nning team leader raised his eyebrows as he epted it willingly. It was a look that said, Do you see this? I was wrong. I thought the n for Pineapple was nothing special, but it seemed to be more work than I thought. Fighting was my specialty. Seong Jiwon also knew that and quietly cheered me on while clenching his fists. Thank you for the nst time. Its definitely a trendy and popr concept to make a song based on fruits. I felt that you put a lot of thought into it and made it. You guys are so outdated. Did you even think about it before making it? Haha, thank you. As you know, The Dawn is very popr these days, so we made it to meet fans expectations. You guys are not popr at all. Even if I made a bad one, you wouldnt have anything to say. Yes, we really thought it was the nning team. We believe in their delicate consideration and passionate attitude and follow them. Whats the point of a nning team if they dont n? Were they just wasting their sry? Ahem. The nning team leader shut his mouth, unsure if the message was conveyed well. Anyone who knew the context or sensed it can see that even though we wereughing, we were having some kind of mental fight. Except for Jeong Dajun, everyone else was tense and looked in our direction. We are really grateful! Jeong Dajun smiled brightly while saying hello. Jeong Dajun was probably sincere, but he unexpectedly gave a counterattack to the nning team. Nice one! There are some parts that I want to slightly modify in the nning, so Id like to ask you. Lets listen to the song first. As soon as the nning team leader was counterattacked by Jeong Dajun, he responded hastily. The nning team leader and members eyes sparkled in confusion when the song yed. After the song ended, the nning team leader nodded. The song is good. Its a Blue Tiger song. As expected I can feel it. Yes, we were lucky to get it. As you can see, our current n doesnt match the song. So, we want to request some changes. Um, I see. Do you have any direction in mind? Of course. I took out the print I had prepared. In the entertainment industry, where new groups pour in daily, you must have a clear group direction to stand out. What do you think is the most important thing for a new group that isnt doing well yet? Haha, why the sudden question? Um I dont know, poprity? The nning team leaderughed. But the nning team member next to him kept winking her eyes. She seemed to have something to say. When I looked at her, she suddenly spoke up. Can I answer? Sure. I was a person who was generous to proactive people. As I nodded, the nning teams youngest member, who seemed to be like him, spoke up excitedly. I think its stans. Ah. I smiled. Theres always someone with good instincts. Thats right. Stans, thats the correct answer. The members still seemed unsure and didnt speak easily, waiting for my next words. In the early stages, we need hardcore fans stans to establish a foundation. To do that, we need original settings, a profound worldview, and lots of foreshadowing. Ah, I see Jeong Dajun had a look of enlightenment. Furthermore, the youngest nning team member nodded vigorously in agreement with my words. Our song is electronic, but wed like to put it in a particr setting. We looked at the current trends, and the one thing in the highest demand right now and rtively low supply with idol groups is post-apocalyptic stuff. I continued to exin while going over the printouts. I wasnt a stan, but while developing programs, I got used to analyzing viewers needs that frequently changed, so analyzing such trends was a piece of cake. As I continued to exin, everyone started to understand and agree with me. I want to take it in this direction. However, my knowledge in this field iscking, so I hope the nning team can add some details It was then that the nning teams youngest member suddenly burst out. I want to do it! I want to do it! She was in a frenzy, raising her hand and staring at us with sparkling eyes. Even the nning team leader and I were surprised. She continued to talk nonstop. Ipletely agree with what Seo Hoyun said. Plus, the song is dark and electronic, which would match well with post-apocalyptic themes. As for the settings rted to the apocalypse, there are science fiction, military, regression, etc. If we divide them in half, we can create a rtionship between members that conflicts with each other and provides each members unique characteristics. Hardcode fans tended to talk about their favorite things without being asked. The nning office fell silent, and I felt a bit oppressed by her enthusiasm. I nodded my head cautiously. Ah, yes Then please take the lead. Team leader, since she has so many ideas, can we leave it to her? Uh, yes. Ive never seen her this excited before She must be interested in this kind of thing. I made a mental note of her name. Lee Jihyeon. She could be used well. I turned to the members to get their approval. How about you guys? Are you okay with this? Even though I would push the project in the desired direction, I still wanted to listen if anyone had a better idea. Hyung. Kang Ichae quietly called out to me. Whats up? Hyung, did you hit your head somewhere? Why are you so good at handling people? Is that apliment or an insult? Lets say its apliment. Anyway, there were no objections. As I looked around at the members, Kim Seonghyeon, Seong Jiwon, Kang Ichae, and Jeong Dajun all nodded in agreement. Then please proceed like that. Were sorry, but we dont have enough preparation time due to sudden modifications. We n to finalize theposer and lyrics tomorrow afternoon and then proceed to recording. Can you give us a general direction and rough part distribution until then? Tomorrow afternoon? Thats a bit difficult I can give you a rough direction! Kheuheuheum! The nning teams youngest member gave off more strength than I expected. The nning team leader red at her, but she ignored him. Well, fighting! It was good to have passionate people. Thank you. Well send the song separately. Please let us know again when the nning is finalized. After I finished speaking, I patted the members. Lets go practice. Okay. As soon as I left the nning room with the members, I texted Lim Hyeonsu. Me: Are we going to record tomorrow afternoon? Can you also help with the lyric revision? Me: The schedule is tight, but Ill send you the overall nning now. Lim Hyeonsu replied shortly after I pressed send. Lim Hyeonsu: Even if it doesnt work, youre going to ignore it anyway, crazy bastard. How did she know? I chuckled when the nning team leader came out of the conference room. He red briefly at me about the sudden overtime, then took a deep breath. Seo Hoyun. Good job. Yes, you too, team leader. People change so suddenly. I guess were going all out this time. Haha, we have to stay strong. If we didnt go all out, we could never clear it. Who would be careless in this situation? I had to go back to the practice room and be a practice worm. The team leader nodded. Its a tough schedule, but well do well since were doing it anyway. We were also a bit worried. He was more lenient than I thought. Anyway, its inevitable in social life, but having a person like him isfortable. Judging by his conversation, he was not wholly inflexible and might be capable. The nning for The Dawn was roughly done. Ill do my best. Your answer is refreshing. Fighting! The nning team leader left, and the youngest member bowed her head to me and followed him. It was not a badbination. [Questplete: Lets persuade the nning team! I have a feeling the youngest member of the nning team carried you. But still, sess is a sess! Convincing the nning team 1/1 Its a sess. Dance skill increased by 10. Special gift for newbies! A new system will be added.] A new system? 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! Chapter 12 Chapter 12 I frowned. Special rewards always seemed to be a littlete. Whats this new system? [You can receive points as youplete quests.] Collect points and use them to buy the items you need for scenario progress at the item shop. Ugh, look at this jerk Well, I guess you need these kinds of business transactions if youre supposed to y a tycoon game. You might find yourself needing to buy items if necessary. But shouldnt they have given it from the beginning? [We have added some now!] Open it up. At that moment, the system window opened. I was really impressed by the game-like UI. It was unrealistic, no matter how you looked at it. I was looking for an item that could increase my dance skills instantly. [Theres no such item! You have to work hard to get there!] What was I hoping for? I browsed through the items. Except for a few, it was empty, and the phrase Updating was written. I wasnt expecting much to begin with. The only thing that caught my eye was one item. [Rx your heartpletely. Points: 300p] It wouldnt be bad to buy it just in case. Its not something I would use, though. I turned off the item window while pondering. I didnt have any points anyway. Will I receive points from now when I do the quests? [Yes!] Okay. Thats good enough. I memorized the items in the item window and slowly headed to the practice room. I can only hope that the day wille when I can use them. *** Ta-da, ta-da, ta-da-da! Oh, ugh Its not ta-da, its ta-da-da, Hoyun! Ta-da-da Whats that? How do you do that? Seong Jiwon ended up being a more challenging teacher than I anticipated. The person standing before me was not the same person who said he would give up when we first met. After a meeting with the nning team, we practiced for six hours straight. These kids didnt even think about leaving, even though it was almost 11 pm. This is weird, hyung I know Ive memorized it, but why cant I do it? Hyung, can we take a break? Jeong Dajun asked, but I shook my head. The system window kept popping up in response to Seong Jiwon s tough coaching. [Dance +1] [Dance +1] [Dance +0.5] [Dance +0.4] [Dance +0.2] [Dance +0.01] I didnt know why it was decreasing, but damn. At least it was somehow increasing. Kim Seonghyeon casually threw a water bottle at me as I struggled to stand up. I clumsily caught it, causing Kim Seonghyeon to drop on the practice room floor. Lets take a break. Why? I think I can do more. Weve been dancing almost non-stop for six hours, Seong Jiwon. When Kim Seonghyeon spoke, Seong Jiwon looked at his watch and scratched his head awkwardly. Youre right. Did I push you too hard? Lets take a break. Its okay. No, hyung! How can we keep going?! Jeong Dajun was terrified and held me back. But still We had to do it. Dragging me along, Jeong Dajun soon melted to the floor as if his stamina had run out. He looked like ice cream. The manager had already left, so we were the only ones in the practice room. Kim Seonghyeon looked at the members and shook his head. No, you cant. Resting is also practice. Wow, what a quote. Resting is also practice If I die from practicing, please engrave that on my tombstone. When Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun grumbled, Kim Seonghyeon threw a water bottle at them. Seeing even Seong Jiwon flinched, Kim Seonghyeon let out a small sigh and got up, shrugging his shoulders. Ill go to the convenience store. Were out of water. Bring Melona on the way. Arent you sick of it? Please buy it~! Oh, Ill go with you. I stood up abruptly. If we werent going to practice anymore, I might as well go to the convenience store and get some fresh air. I still observed Kim Seonghyeon feeling awkward around me, but I didnt care. See youter, hyungs! Dajun, lets try that part again. I think your right hand could be a little faster Ugh, no more Seong Jiwon continued to teach the choreography without giving up, perhaps enjoying teasing the youngest members. As soon as we closed the practice room door, the bustling noise died, leaving only silence between Kim Seonghyeon and me. I didnt feel ufortable and silently walked with shuffling legs. Kim Seonghyeon was really quiet. I didnt feel like talking, so there was silence between us. He didnt look imposing, so how did he be the leader? Seong Jiwon, who had been a trainee for a long time and was the same age as us, would have been more suitable for the leader position anyway. Wee! I arrived at the convenience store and went where the drinks were disyed. What are you going to buy? Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun like Pocari, and Kang Yichae like 2% milk. Lets get that. Kim Seonghyeon picked out a drink with ease and gestured for me to choose, stepping aside slightly. I picked out a drink haphazardly, but Kim Seonghyeon stared intently at the drink I picked up in my hand. Are you really going to drink that? Yeah. The drink in my hand was Soruinun. Although opinions varied on the drink made from pine buds, I personally enjoyed its pine scent and tart taste. Kim Seonghyeon looked somewhat uneasy. Okay, Ill get that for you next time. Hmm. Kim Seonghyeon replied and then picked up band-aids and a pack of patches from the convenience store. It seemed like he noticed that Jeong Dajun was in pain from their long practice. Ah I see. I felt like I knew now why Kim Seonghyeon was the leader. Despite his rough exterior, he was more sensitive than I had thought. Okay, Ill ring you up. Ill have a pack of ciga- Yes? I almost automatically tried to order cigarettes but stopped when Kim Seonghyeon gave me a stern look, and the system warning popped up. Ding! [Warning! Smoking is harmful to idols!] Smoking is harmful to everyone. Well, tomorrow is the recording and I should quit smoking My instincts resisted, even though my rational judgment told me I should quit smoking. Uh Ding! [Warning! Tomorrow is the recording. Get it together, Seo Hoyun!] Just ring me up, please. Hmph Kim Seonghyeon cut me off quickly, and I slunk back, feeling down. The cigarettes I had been smoking while editing was really good Now I cant even smoke them Honestly, it was a shock akin to when I was absorbed into this virtual game. The convenience store clerk rang up our items with a troubled expression. I felt depressed, so I added two ice creams. Please ring these up too. It was the ice cream fathers bought for their children, only to be rejected. Kim Seonghyeon clicked his tongue, but he held strong next to me. At least it was free, which was some constion. I exited the convenience store, tore open the package, and chewed on the ice cream. Damn, life is hard I cant even smoke now. Dont smoke. Why? Because the fans hate it. Kim Seonghyeon scolded me. I couldnt argue because he was right, but it annoyed me. Kim Seonghyeon also took out the other ice cream from the bag. I bought it earlier to give to Jeong Dajun, whoined about not having any. When I nced at him, Kim Seonghyeon said, We have to destroy the evidence. Ah, okay. Agreed. Idols had to diet, after all. We had to do jacket and music video shoots once the recording and nning were finalized. There were lots of work to do. We only heard the sound of us eating ice cream for a while, with no conversation. Then, Kim Seonghyeon suddenly asked me a question. What did you talk about in the CEOs office? Um I knew discussing settlement or penalty fees would harm our trust rtionship. I said we wanted to scrap the n. Really? Yeah, so we negotiated with the nning team. It seemed to have progressed better than expected. We dont know if it will be finalized by tomorrow, though. It seems like it will work out. The youngest member of the team was overflowing with passion. I didnt know how the product would turn out, but I thought they would at least do some rough research by the deadline. Keep whats good and discard whats not, and well have a framework in ce in no time. Tomorrow, we should ask Lim Hyeonsu no, Blue Tiger to revise the lyrics for the nning. Thats fast. We have toe back in almost three weeks. If the work wasnt fast enough, we might have to dy theeback, not to mention the extra cost. The CEO wouldnt want to invest anymore in a group with an uncertain future. We had to make do with the budget we had. Youve changed a bit. Kim Seonghyeon blurted out suddenly. What do you mean? You seem different from a year ago. I was taken aback. I wasnt a different person, but I acted like an idol beyond reproach. I changed the subject quickly. We need to have a good attitude. Yeah, um He was subtly sharp. Through dance practice, I could grasp the characteristics of the members with whom I would be moving forward. Overall, everyone was quite quick-witted. Of course, except for Jeong Dajun. In my opinion, it seemed like everyone grew up being mindful of Jeong Dajuns mood. Still, thank you. ? Everyone seemed to have given up, but the atmosphere had changed significantly. So, thank you. Kim Seonghyeon acted nonchnt, but he seemed a bit awkward after speaking. I shrugged my shoulders and answered honestly. If youre grateful, just give me one hit Are you kidding me? He was firm With tears in my eyes, I let the cigarette fade away from my mind. Is the practice okay? Seong Jiwon is scary. Im scared of him, too. Before we entered the practice room, Kim Seonghyeon spoke to me easily, saying that the choreography was a little easier to do with bigger movements, or that it was easier to breathe with this hidden choreography, and so on. There were lots of helpful tips, so I remembered them well. As we entered the practice room, the members weed us. Hyung, ice cream! Dont drink this. Seeing that made me feel a little strange. As a PD, it was a feeling that I couldnt experience as a third party. Since I couldnt clearly understand what it was, I pushed it aside in my head and spoke with a casual expression. Hey, lets stay up all night tonight. Agreed. Agreed. No! I cant do it! *** Ah, isnt it the non-celebrity Seo Hoyun? Have you already had a drink? I cant get through life without alcohol because of someone, huh? Lim Hyeonsu mocked me as we walked into the recording studio. The members behind us alternately looked at me and Lim Hyeonsu with wide eyes. I nced at the quest window above me. [First recording! Lets make it through the first recording safely. It will continue until Lim Hyeonsu is satisfied. Sess: 300 points Failure: Lim Hyeonsus favorability will decrease] In addition to dance practice, we practiced singing ording to the guide song lyrics during our breaks. By the time we finished, it was 7 am. Of course, I was so bad at singing that I couldnt even sing one verse. We napped in the lounge for about two or three hours and then headed straight to Lim Hyeonsus studio. Hello! Nice to meet you. Its an honor to work with theposer! Yeah, yeah. I satfortably on the sofa, ignoring the members greeting her with military discipline. Lim Hyeonsu, with an indifferent expression, lit a cigarette after putting it in her mouth. Do you want to smoke one too? I nced at the members and snatched the cigarette from Lim Hyeonsus mouth. She looked surprised. No thanks. Why not? You smoked wellst time. There are minors here. Jeong Dajun was a minor. Lim Hyeonsu looked like she was saying, What the hell, why do you care? but obediently put the cigarette back in. Of course, she grumbled. So, youre not going to smoke at all? Im trying to quit. In fact, I had snatched away Lim Hyeonsus cigarette before she was about to light it up. Seeing her smoke made me want to smoke too. But we couldnt do that before the recording Lim Hyeonsu widened her eyes and shook her head. Its a three-day resolution, Hoyun. Yes, I heard your introduction well. You son of a bitch. Show me what youve prepared. Lim Hyeonsu tapped her foot and held out her hand as if asking for the n the nning team had selected in advance. When I gave her the printed n, she nodded her head. Oh um. This is the n, huh. Ahem. Whenever Lim Hyeonsu nodded, the members felt their tension rise even more. If she frowned even once, they would surely faint. Lim Hyeonsu said, Dont be scared, kids. After reading the print to the end, Lim Hyeonsu nodded her head. Is it okay? Phew, thank goodness Overall, the nning is well done. This kind of concept really works for this kind of song. They also added trendy settings in every nook and cranny We just need to deliver the meaning well in the lyrics. Thats right. Since weve already assigned the parts, we just need to focus on making the lyrics. Yeah, of course. Its me, Lim Hyeonsu. Of course, our Blue Tiger. This guy is sucking up to me so much. Lim Hyeonsu continued to curse, but she helped willingly, showing she liked the nning more than she let on. I gestured to the members who were slouching next to me. We should pour out the ideas weve been thinking about beforehand. Here, we should reminisce more about the past Oh, I want to incorporate the phrase sharp target.'' Rather than vague words, its better to use a phrase that clearly states that I remember you The members seemed nervous at times, and once they spoke up, they couldnt stop talking about their impressions andments on their parts. Lim Hyeonsu replied to them diligently. Thats too old-fashioned. Oh, the word target is okay. No, thats cheesy. It feels like its suddenly elerating too much. After about thirty minutes passed, Lim Hyeonsu became even more excited than the members. This is why I liked Lim Hyeonsu. With her arms crossed, Lim Hyeonsu finished organizing the lyrics and looked around at the members. Okay, this is enough for the lyrics Since it can be revised again, lets just think of it as a guide for now and try singing it once. Yes! Got it! First Yes, the main vocalist should go first. Yes! Seong Jiwon nodded his head. It seemed he was a bit nervous.
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! Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Seo Hoyun. While anxiously looking at Seong Jiwon, I realized one beatte that Lim Hyunsoo was gesturing at me. I obediently went over and sat down, and she whispered to me. Hey, your members are better than I thought. Theyre nice kids. Theyre not bad. Yeah, I thought theyd all be arrogant like you. Thats apliment, right, Ms. Composer? Of course, this cute and bratty kid here. Lim Hyunsoo continued to hum happily. It feels fresh after a long time. Its a bit rough and ready since its rushed Ive always been used to the big idols, but a newly formed group with a fighting spirit like this is fun for me too. I raised my chin and looked at Lim Hyunsoo. Ms. Composer, do you know what it means when someone is wishy-washy? You mean theyre nice? Of course, you have no idea how much I like you, Ms. Composer. Thank you very much. Lim Hyunsoo seemed thrilled despite the issue of giarism and piracy, perhaps thinking of her heyday. Seong Jiwon was standing stiffly in front of the pop filter. Lim Hyunsoo turned on the microphone that would transmit to the recording studio. Main vocal, are you ready? Yes! Im ready. Seong Jiwon nodded his head. The members practicing their parts frantically looked up all at once. The beat flowed, and Seong Jiwon steadied his breathing. His eyes flickered anxiously. Lim Hyunsoo murmured. I hope he does well. I smirked. Seong Jiwon? Hope he does well? Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance. The most useless thing to worry about was celebrities in the world. Seong Jiwons voice echoed throughout the recording studio. Lim Hyunsoo lowered her gaze and closed her mouth. Seong Jiwons tension gradually eased as the song progressed, and his immersion in the song increased. Say it once more, its the beginning for us, I wille back every time, Dont be afraid of this strange feeling. Ah, Seong Jiwons high note was sofortable to listen to. Comfortable. I rxed on the back of my chair. Are you okay? After he finished his part, Seong Jiwoon kept an eye on Lim Hyunsoo, who turned the microphone towards him. Seong Jiwon. Yes, yes? How did it sound to you? Lim Hyunsoo asked in a hushed voice. Seong Jiwons pupils swirled like waves on a stormy day after hearing those words. UmI think my pitch was okay. Pitch? Thats not the problem right now. Lim Hyunsooughed. Huk! Jeong Dajun gasped for air. Kim Seonghyeon also tensed up. Anyway, shes good at putting people on edge. Theres a reason shes popr as an audition program judge. Your voice is pretty good, isnt it? T-thank you! Why did you just show up now? Youre doing well. Your ending was clean too Have you been a trainee for a long time? Uh Ive been training for 7 years. No wonder I could tell. Dont just be nervous. Sometimes being too nervous can affect your tone. Oh, yes Despite the warning not to be nervous, Seong Jiwon became even more nervous. Huh? Lim Hyeonsu either didnt notice or ignored it and directed Seong Jiwon a few more times to get him toe out. Even after leaving the recording studio, Seong Jiwon was still nervous, and his body shook slightly. Um, his condition is a bit Well, itll be fine if you do better next time. Lets move on to the next rap. Yes! Kang Ichae, youre up for recording! Kang Ichae went in, and Lim Hyeonsu continued to listen, assessing that he was less good than Seong Jiwon but not bad. Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun went in one after another. Kang Ichae, please pay more attention to your pronunciation. You spit the words out well, but Mr. Kim has a weak high note, but your voice is good. Jeong Dajun Your voice is unique and attractive. Not bad. But you need more practice. As Lim Hyeonsu directed them step-by-step, the recording progressed smoothly. At the same time, I re-evaluated the members. They mayck star power, but their skills were mostly good. Their personalities werent bad either, to be honest Well, thats not something I really know about. I was sipping quietly on the smoothie the staff had brought me when Jeong Dajun finished recording and came out of the booth. Lim Hyeonsu turned around and smiled at me. Alright, our con artist. Now your turn. Yes, yes. I yfully replied and opened the door to the recording studio. The quality was better than expected, so I had to match it. The members worried looks were poking at my back. After suffering from an illness and bing a terrible dancer, I didnt even have time to practice singing alone. I could feel their concern that my singing ability also regressed. In the games setting, Idol Seo Hoyun was kicked out of the group due to his illness, so I probably couldnt even match up with the other members properly before. Are you ready? Lim Hyeonsus voice could be heard in the recording studio as I put on my headphones. Since Ive been onpetition programs before, Ive been to the recording studio, but this was my first time recording something myself. I briefly yed with the pop filter before gesturing to Lim Hyeonsu. Can I have the beat? Are you crazy? Lim Hyeonsu cursed at me but chuckled and started the music. I entered exactly on the beat. Oh, pick a card, the future bes clearer. Lim Hyeonsus eyes widened. Dont worry about the low chances, theres no need, Its okay, Ill lead you. At this point, just like the other members, I thought the recording would stop, but the beat kept flowing. I nced at Lim Hyeonsu for a moment, but she stared back with a glimmer in her eyes and didnt make any other gestures. It was as if she was telling me to keep going. Well, it wasnt a difficult task. Come to me,e to me, Dont be afraid,e to me, I have my second chance. I was halfway through the first verse when the song finally stopped. It seemed like the recording was over. Why? I nced at Lim Hyeonsu and the members with puzzled expressions, still wearing my headphones. Should we do it again? I asked what went wrong, but Lim Hyeonsu turned on the microphone. Hey, Seo Hoyun. Who did you learn this song from? No one in particr Huh, you dont have any ts. Everything is on beat. Ah, I see. It wasnt really surprising, so I nodded my head. Lim Hyeonsu rubbed her chin. Usually, when other people show off, they add a lot of gimmicks, but you dont have any of that. Its actually cleaner, and your voice stands out more. It couldnt be helped. I recalled the judges from the previouspetition program. The pouring out of curses and criticism towards the participants! Dont add unnecessary gimmicks. Why do you think theres a beat? Are you singing off-key? And 70% of those curses came from Lim Hyeonsu. When editing, those scenes would be yed back dozens of times, so it was inevitable that such habits would stick. I constantly listened to the judges evaluations and the participants songs. To me, a song was defined by the following three things: Of course, be sure to stay in rhythm. Sing honestly without trying to show off. Going off-key is a sin. Was that okay? When I asked, Lim Hyunsoo nodded her head. Oh. But yourecking emotion. Try singing with a bit more flow rather than being too honest. That would fit the concept better. Yes, I understand. I nodded my head and sang again. This time, I sang through the end and was asked to add harmonies to Seong Jiwons part. Wow! Lim Hyunsoo pped her hands in excitement. Hey! How did you even get the harmony right on this one? You could endlessly listen to Lim Hyunsoo talk about music theory for three hours while editing the program. It was an extracurricr lesson on Easy Music Theory. Your emotion wascking a bit, but lets think about it and try recording again. You have a good foundation, so its okay. Lim Hyunsoo seemed very satisfied and gave a double thumbs up. When they left the recording studio, the other members also gave a standing ovation. Our cute one is really good at singing. Hyung! He was doing so well, right? I thought hyung was a vending machine. The resultse out immediately after giving instructions. I shrugged my shoulders at the pouringpliments. To be honest, I wasnt that good at singing. As I sipped on the smoothie absentmindedly, I observed Kim Seonghyeon with a visibly relieved expression, as if a burden had been lifted off his shoulders. His thoughts were clear. At least hes less of a troll He must be having such thoughts. Im used to it. After Seong Jiwon went in a few more times to add harmonies, Lim Hyunsoo yed the recorded song for everyone to listen to. Its good. It turned out much better than I thought. Its good. Between members sighing in relief, Lim Hyunsoo nodded with satisfaction and murmured quietly. Honestly, its better than the White Cherry song Im working on now. Wow, thats an honor! Thank you very much, Ms. Composer! Hahaha, praise me, my children. Shes just being a sore loser Objectively, theres nothing better than a properly paid White Cherry song. Although she was just being a sore loser, the members bowed as if they were going to do a ceremony and went along with it. Nevertheless, it was a better song than White Cherry if it suited ones taste. The lyrics were not bad, so interpreting them well in the music video will be good. Anyway, good job, guys. If theres anything you dont like, well sing it again. Go now. Im busy. Yes! Thank you! Oh, Seo Hoyun. Come over here for a sec. Why? As I obediently approached after being called, Lim Hyunsoo asked me quietly. Did you threaten Joo Woosung? It looked like Joo Woosung was a rising star. Lim Hyunsu burst into a hollowugh, and I didnt bother to deny it. Are you really a con artist? Why do you say that? I just wanted to try my best. If you try too hard, you might end up beingpletely the opposite. Is that all you wanted to say? Oh, wait a minute. I shrugged my shoulders. I was about to leave if she continued to talk nonsense, but Lim Hyunsu asked me a question. I heard the kids talking earlier, saying you and Director Jeong are filming the music video together? Oh Yes, thats right. Director Jeong. In fact, I didnt know much about music videos, so I didnt know the person at all. After roughly looking it up, I discovered he specialized in filming idol music videos. But I wondered why she brought him up. I know him. He takes music videos very casually and just takes the money, but he should be filming them beautifully. Isnt that you? Do you want to die? This was Lim Hyunsu talking. They said people talk amongst themselves. As I was contemting, Lim Hyunsu lightly pushed my forehead with her palm. I already told him to take good care of you guys. This was unexpected. Lim Hyeonsu was helping us without me even making a threat. Whats her intention? I raised my eyebrows and observed Lim Hyeonsus pouting expression. However, Lim Hyeonsu just clicked her tongue when she saw me like that. When was thest time you owed someone a big favor? Why cant you trust people? Well, I guess its a good habit in the entertainment industry. I dont know why Ms. Composer is being nice to us. I havent done anything good. When I honestly expressed my thoughts, Lim Hyeonsu burst outughing. Its just a crazy whim. Lets just follow along with a madmans ups and downs. Its fun, isnt it? It must feel rewarding to see a group of nobodies like you get talent donations. Ding! [Rtionship with Lim Hyeonsu is friendly. Completed First Recording quest. 300 points will be awarded.] It was unexpected kindness and luck. I nodded my head lightly. Lim Hyeonsu, despite being unpredictable and cool, had no hard feelings, which was good. Thank you. Seo Hoyun, be good to me. Ill bring some delicious sake next time. Lim Hyeonsu held out her index finger to me. At that moment,ughter spread uncontrobly. I shrugged and joined the members waiting outside. It seemed like a heartwarming ending, but the faces of the members outside were bruised. Did I really record with Blue Tiger? Is this a dream? Pinch my cheek. Hyung, I really can hit the notes. Kang Ichae clenched a fist, and Kim Seonghyeon quickly stepped back. There was a shadow on Seong Jiwons face. I nudged them and urged, Lets go practice. We still had a long way to go.
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! Chapter 14 Chapter 14 [Title: Joo Woosungs SNS Spring? Im not a ck Call fan, but isnt Joo Woosung famous for not posting videos of himself? Fans are always crying about it, but suddenly, a video of Joo_Woosung_and_the_Kitty.gif was postedst night. It_seems_like_you_like_me_more.gif Who is this person??? As far as I know, there are no trainees like this in ck Calls agency. Is he just a regr person? Seems like a regr person. Oh really?? But his face doesnt look like a regr persons? Okay. At least among the rookies announced by the agency, there are no trainees like this, lol. Hey Woosung Can you please post your face? This is crazy, for real] [Title: Joo Woosung Posted Another Video on SNS! Why is he suddenly posting so many videos???? Fans asked him to post his face, so he did He suddenly changed his ways Joo_Woosung_and_the_Cat_Picture.jpg trainee_feeling_gloomy_after_being_teased.video. But this time, he took a picture with that trainee? Regr person? They seem to get along really well, lol. Cute. I know!!! Hes a member of DPS Entertainment. DPS??? Sorry, Im not knowledgeable. Please tell me what that is. The Dawn (litter) Who is that anyway?? I heard of them before, but not really. I was passing by Im a fan of The Dawn He calls himself Hoowoo. He didnt debut due to health reasons, but he did record some songs with them. They are hardworking kids, so please look kindly upon them Oh (subdued) Sorry. Fighting!] [Title: I heard from a friend (sorry)[1] that Joo Woosung and Seo Hoyun from The Dawn are close. Im a big fan of The Dawn, but I went crazy when I recently saw Joo Woosung (sorry, Im not one of his fans) on SNS. Let me sort it out for you:
  1. The Dawns debut album seemed to have failed, but they still have a handful of fans.
  2. Seo Hoyun, who appeared with Joo Woosung on SNS, is a member of The Dawn but has never appeared on an official stage.
  3. Joo Woosung and Seo Hoyun are strangely close friends; I dont know where they came from, but I suddenly became interested in them. Seo Hoyuns face is like a fox and rabbit, and hes more to my taste than I expected. I heard they will soon make aeback, and Im looking forward to it.
Thank you, Speed Wagon! Not at all! Oh, thank you. But Im not really interested in it. I feel like The Dawn is trying to ride on Joo Woosungs poprity. Tsk, its not like Seo Hoyun was the one that did it. Joo Woosung himself posted it. Whats the problem? Yes, yes, they seemed close friends. I feel like theyve known each other for a long time. ck Call fans are going crazy over the flood of new photos of Joo Woosung and struggling to handle them. Plus, theyve never seen anyone get along with Joo Woosung sofortably, except with this member from The Dawn Yeah, Im really grateful to this friend. Its the first time Ive seen Joo Woosungs cute side. So adorable! ] [The Dawnseback, is it noise marketing?] [The trainee who appeared on Joo Woosungs SNS, is it thepanys strategy?] Hoyun-hyung! I copsed on the practice room floor and lifted my phone to check the situation. To some extent, I seemed to be a hot topic in onlinemunities and social media. Of course, I was also getting criticized, but it wasnt bad for viral marketing. The nning and choreography were roughly organized, and the dance routine, practice schedule, and vocal parts were distributed. There were now about three weeks left until the showcase. This level of firepower isnt enough. Now, its time to start preparing for other things. I put my smartphone away and looked at Kang Ichae. Hey, why? Drink this. Kang Ichae threw a water bottle at me. I drank the water gratefully as I was on the brink of dehydration. Kang Ichae muttered. Why are you practicing so roughly, hyung? Do you even sleep properly? I am sleeping. Youre lying! Hyung only sleeps three hours a day! And in the lounge, too. Are you some kind of Napoleon, hyung? You only sleep for three hours a day? Kang Ichae stuck out his tongue as Jeong Dajun groaned. I ignored them as I didnt have the energy to respond. Seong Jiwon, who had just entered the practice room, looked at me worriedly as if he had heard what was being said. Um Hoyuns dance has improved, but Its still not enough Why? How can I improve more? Jiwon-hyung Do you think hes possessed by a dead ghost who cant practice? Jeong Dajun trembled. I was also scared and used my arms to steady myself. Seong Jiwon wasnt really someone to take on lightly. I thought he was fragile, but now his eyes were rolling back, and he was not focused on anything but theeback stage. Kim Seonghyeon came in next and yed the music, trying to adjust the stage movements some more. After we finished distributing the parts, we modified the choreography slightly so that each member would stand out more in their respective parts. Ooh, pick a card, the future bes clearer, Dont worry about the low chances, theres no need, Its okay, Ill lead you. Say it once more, its the beginning for us, I wille back every time, Dont be afraid of this strange feeling, No need to worry, Ill lead you. As we continued to sing and dance live, after about three times practices, everyone was so exhausted they copsed on the floor. Are we going to die before we even get to perform on oureback stage? Do you want to rest a little? Its almost lunchtime. Seong Jiwon finally gave the okay. Jeong Dajun quickly got up. Lets go to the convenience store, the convenience store! Ill pay for everything. Get ready~! Jeong Dajun pulled out a thousand won bills. I received my allowance! The hyungs will pay. Oh, we can at least buy ice cream! These days, you cant buy much with a thousand won Kim Seonghyeon, Seong Jiwon, and I looked at each other in disbelief andforted each other before we left. When we arrived at the convenience store in front of our agency, the youngest members were so excited that they jumped around. Im going to buy cup noodles and eat them in three bites! Are you a newbie? You have to put cheese in the spicy chicken vor. These kids It felt like I knew why Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon had be more mature. Kim Seonghyeon silently cared for the younger members, and Seong Jiwon handed me a ramen cup. The five of us crowded around a table in the convenience store, eating cup ramen together, when suddenly someone tapped me lightly on the shoulder. I turned around to see a woman wearing a mask, fidgeting nervously. She held out her phone to us. Oh! Are you Seo Hoyun by any chance? ? Yes. Wait, wait. Are these all the other members of The Dawn! My friend is an even bigger fan, so Would you mind waiting a moment? A fan? Seong Jiwons eyes widened. I hoped he wouldnt say anything. It seemed like this person was filming us with a camera. Thankfully, Seong Jiwon just nodded vigorously with a smile on his face. Yes, of course. Well wait. Thank you! They would have probably reacted the same way if there wasnt a camera. Technically, we were also celebrities, but they looked at her as if normal people recognizing them were more fascinating. Hey guys. Youre still celebrities, you know? Even the contestants onpetition programs were not this unpopr. Its a bit heartbreaking. Youre Seong Jiwon, right? Ive known you since you were a trainee! How are you so handsome? Why are you so tall? Haha, thank you. How old are you, noona? Kang Ichae was the first to speak kindly. The woman was shy but answered his question. While it was true that we had to be careful with our words, I wasnt worried about Kang Ichae. He was good at reading situations. ? I gave a vague answer and looked away, but then I saw a strange scene outside the convenience store. A grandmother clutching her bag firmly was strolling along. A masked man trailed several paces behind her, casting cautious nces around and giving the impression that he intended to snatch her purse away. Hey. Whats up? I alerted Kim Seonghyeon. He immediately turned his head and looked where I was looking, then his face hardened. We put down the food we were holding. The man suddenly rushed in and snatched the grandmothers bag. Oh dear, oh dear! Its a thief! There are still such robberies these days! Crazy bastard. I furrowed my brow deeply. I couldnt believe it. I never imagined this would actually happen. Kim Seonghyeon and I immediately kicked open the convenience store door and ran out to catch the bastard thief. Stop right there! Get lost! After hearing our footsteps rapidly approaching, the thief nced at us and began to run even faster. However, we were not ordinary people. We were the proud idols of South Korea. With our daily dance practices and workouts until dawn, we had more stamina than the average man. Stop! Kim Seonghyeon, who was particrly skilled in physical activities, quickly caught up to the thief. Got you! Hey, Kim Seonghyeon! I was one step behind, so I kicked the mans hand as he was about to pull out a knife. With a cling, the knife fell to the ground. Kim Seonghyeon looked at him, and his face turned pale, but he clenched his teeth and held the thief tightly. Ow ow ow! Let go, you fuckers! Are you insane? Wheres your conscience? Kim Seonghyeon, hold him tight. I helped Kim Seonghyeon by kicking the thief down. I looked back at the spot where the olddy was, and, fortunately, Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun were already helping her up. Grandma, are you okay? Oh, thank you, thank you. Are you hurt anywhere? No, Im fine Im more worried about you, young men. Were fine. In addition, Kang Ichae was inside the convenience store making a phone call, waving his hand frantically. It seemed like he was calling the police. Soon after, we heard police sirens. Wow, the South Korean police are fast. Let me go! Stay still, you punk. I muttered as I pressed down on the thiefs nape. I looked around to see if the police had arrived and saw a woman still holding her phone, staring at us nkly. As I turned my head, my eyes met with Kim Seonghyuns. We both thought the same thing. Wait, what if *** Oh dear, that was close. I saw him following me after I withdrew money from the bank. He even followed me to a ce without CCTV. It would have been a disaster if it werent for you young men. After handing the thief over to the police, they praised us several times. I nced at the olddy. It seemed like she wasnt injured. Thank you, young men. I dont know how to express my gratitude. No, its nothing, Grandma. Its just what anyone would do. This is the money our daughter sent us. She saved it bit by bit for my medical expenses Without this, I wouldnt have been able to get treatment. Im really grateful. That was really close. Seong Jiwon murmured with sympathy. From what I could gather, Seong Jiwon had a soft spot for the olddy. His eyes were glued to her, and he seemed deeply concerned. I nudged Seong Jiwon. Lets stop and go. Grandma needs to rest too. Oh, Im sorry. I didnt realize I was holding you up. Im the one who should apologize for taking up your time. The olddy kept bowing her head. Seeing her reminded me of my grandmother, and I suddenly felt strange emotions. I politely said goodbye and led the members out once the situation was resolved. Wow, we really did a great job. Kim Seonghyeon almost got hurt. Are you okay? Yeah. Seo Hoyun protected me Right. We dont have much time left before oureback, so be careful. Hey,e on. It was cool, wasnt it? Being cool isnt everything. Seong Jiwon yfully hit Jeong Dajuns head. Jeong Dajunined while holding his head, but he couldnt deny the sense of aplishment among the members. You all did a great job. Even Hoyun seems happy. I, too, felt a sense of aplishment. There was something else to look forward to. Kim Seonghyeon probably noticed it as well. After returning to the practice room and practicing for a few more hours, the manager suddenly opened the door and entered. Guys!! Just as I expected. Oh, you scared me. Guys, you caught a thief! Why didnt you tell me! The excited manager grabbed Jeong Dajuns shoulders and shook him. Jeong Dajun, unable to understand the situation, held onto his dizzy head. Well, we were going to tell youter. But how did you find out? You guys are a big hit right now! What? The news of you catching the thief has been posted online, and now were trending in real-time searches! Bingo. The manager shoved the inte article right in front of our faces. I slowly read the sparkling title on the screen. [Ordinary Male Idol Group Caught a Thief Today] The title was quite convincing. Among the members with disbelieving expressions, Kim Seonghyeon and I locked our eyes again. For now, we just grinned. [1] Hearsay
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! Chapter 15 Chapter 15 [Title: Today, amon male idol from South Korea caught a thief, crazy crazy crazy, I saw The Dawn catching a thief today *Ill write this in a casual tone first. To exin the situation, I am a light idol fan who only knows the top top top-tier idols. Maybe ck Call level? But suddenly, my friend became obsessed with a rookie group called The Dawn. Who are they? Yup Initial sales 100 albums (Ill skip the exnation with this) So, I was looking at them with pity, and recently, Seo Hoyun and Joo Woosung appeared on SNS, right? So, it was the peak of my friends excitement But today, I saw The Dawn at a convenience store!!! I didnt recognize them at first; there were just five handsome guys gathered together, and they all looked even better in person ;; I thought it was worth showing my friend, so I started recording on my phone and talked to Seo Hoyun. Seo Hoyun When I saw him up close, he was really handsome. Im not kidding. I momentarily forgot what to say because of his face. He had a slightly sharp, foxlike appearance, which was intimidating, but when he smiled, he lookedpletely captivating (a.k.a. the kind of person whos popr at school but suddenly says hello to you and passes by without any context) The other members were also handsome, but The main point of todays story is not that, so Ill skip that for now. Below is the conversation I had with them. Me: Seong Jiwon, why are you so handsome? Youre tall too. Seong Jiwon: Ah, thank you (haha) Kang Ichae: How old are you, noona? While talking about such things, I was happy to be talking to good-looking guys after a long time. But something important happened here. Seo Hoyun: (Suddenly stops talking and looks outside) Me: (Why are they like this? ;; Did I do something wrong?) Seo Hoyun: (taps Kim Seonghyeons shoulder) Hey. Kim Seonghyeon: Whats up? Kim Seonghyeon: (looks outside and stiffens) But suddenly, the two of them rush out like crazy. Im left with the remaining members, who were surprised, and outside, theres some crazy guy who snatched a grandmas bag and ran away ;;;; Seo Hoyun and Kim Seonghyeon saw it. Seong Jiwon: Wait a minute. Jeong Dajun: Lets go together! Kang Ichae: Ill call the police. Everyone, however, rushed out upon seeing that ;; I was just staring nkly. But everyones part was well distributed; the first two who left caught the thief with crazy physical strength and even took away his knife. (See the video for details.) The two who followed behind held the fallen grandma and asked if she was okay Kang Ichae was already calling the police. Me: Wow0.. whats going on? Kang Ichae: (on the phone with the police) Yes, this is the convenience store in front of the XX building in XX-dong, and we caught the thief Me: Are you really okay? What should we do? ;; Kang Ichae: (nces at me) Yes, please take care of it. Since Id never seen anything like this before ;; There was also a knife, so I was really worried that both of them, the person and the grandma, might have been hurt. So I was alone and couldnt figure out what to do, but Kang Ichae called me and said, Noona, dont worry. Me: Huh? What? ;; Kang Ichae: Well take care of it here. You must be surprised, soe inside first. Me: (I was surprised, but I said okay for now) Kang Ichae: Oh Thats right. Im sorry I couldnt wait for your friend. Lets definitely meet next time. Kang Ichae, younger than me, quickly resolved the situation and evenforted me, which was really cool. What I wrote now is in the video that Ill upload below. Check out the full video for details. Everyone was really crazy, not just me, without lying ;; My friend is crying and going crazy, asking why it had to be me and not her Im officially a bigger fan of The Dawn from today, and Im ordering their album now. I came in to make fun of you for being a superficial fan, but after watching the video, its real Its crazy ;;;; How did they catch him? Whats with that ck-haired ones physique? How did Seo Hoyun manage to block that knife again? Seriously, prophets This must be uploaded, its insane, whether you listen or not, I dont care. Seong Jiwon, why cant you take your eyes off the grandma in the middle of this? So cute. Why are the kids eating cup noodles??? Probably because their agency is poor Whos the one who piles up five packets of seasoning, pours it into their cup noodles, and eats it? So cute. Its Jeong Dajun!! Hes the youngest and a sub-dancer. He has a nationwide fanbase of aunts! Auntie, stop bragging and go in] [Title: The reason I called today is for this, starting today, Im a fan of The Dawn, thank you Godly character, agree Dont promote their character Honestly, I dont really know what the fuss is about. Their faces are just okay, and their songs are not that great For real, their debut song was a total failure It seemed like a brief sh Guys, are you jealous of other rookie idols? Already on guard? Scared? Honestly, theyre all handsome ;;; Especially Kang Ichae, hes my type. Hes calling noona, noona in the video, and Im ready to put on dentures and pretend to be 99 years old. Are you crazy What a boast Im into Kim Seonghyeon ;;; Hes like a wolf? His physique is insane for catching the thief. Im also a wolf, so Ill catch him To thement above, I just called 112. Enjoy your tofu. Thats too much, lets meet in our prison ^^ ] Wow, things are really crazy. Joo Woosung was currently feeling very bad. He was always included in the articles about The Dawn. It was because of the promotion he did as a star. He was annoyed by the DMs pouring in asking who he was, the manager who suddenly asked why he was advertising other idols, and everything else. Among them, the most annoying was Seo Hoyun, who appeared like aet. Seo Hoyun, Seo Hoyun. What on earth is he? Crazy guy: Joo Woosung Crazy guy: Come to Daepaseong Entertainment Being threatened for a week, Joo Woosung wanted to ignore the messages, but eventually, he drove toward Daepaseong Entertainment due to the continuous threats. He wondered how this happened. If he told his manager, the manager would protect him, but to do that, he had to reveal his romantic rtionships I dont like this. Joo Woosung sighed deeply as he closed the door and headed to Daepaseong Entertainment. Wasnt someone waiting for him in the lobby? Seeing that they didnt stop a non-staff member from entering, it seemed like a real entertainmentpany. But hadnt there been a huge fusstely? Joo Woosung even promoted them by posting about them on his SNS, and not long ago, they caught a thief, which made for a great story. The sudden promotion might have gotten some bacsh, but it seemed quite effective. Where the hell is he? Joo Woosung grumbled as he searched for Seo Hoyun. He found Seo Hoyun sitting in the corner of the lobby, huddled up on a sofa. Joo Woosung approached with a scowl on his face. Hey, do you think Im a dog? Youre making a fuss, calling people like theyre dogs. Seo Hoyun, hey, junior. Seo Hoyun didnt respond. Joo Woosung poked him a few times, and then Seo Hoyun, with a pale face, raised his head. Joo Woosung hesitated. What, whats wrong? Why are you like this? Ah, you came. Did I hurt him by poking him? Joo Woosung looked at Seo Hoyun with a guilty conscience. Judging by his pale face, he didnt seem to be in any condition to be here. Whats wrong? Are you hurt? Im fine. But you dont look fine. I said Im fine, Joo Woosung. I let out a deep sigh and stood up. Joo Woosung seemed more nervous than I thought, his eyebrows twitching strangely. Yeah, damn it. I was in pain. It was partly because I hadnt slept for days and had been working hard, but the biggest problem was this system window. Ding! [Seo Hoyun, proceed with the quest now!] Get lost, you bastard. Ignoring the new quest that arrived, I proceeded with my work, but the signs of failure were alreadying. I silently stared at the description of the quest that appeared in front of me and then turned my eyes away. Joo Woosung looked surprised. Why did you call me? What do you mean? Were filming our music video tomorrow. I was hoping you could look at our dance until then. Youre a pro, so you know what youre doing. You called me just for that? Joo Woosung looked incredulous. Well, Joo Woosung was famous for not taking care of his juniors. He let his own agencys idols and even his members fend for themselves while he was dating. Oh, its Joo Woosung! With my sagging body, I dragged Joo Woosung to the practice room. When I opened the door, our manager, who was busily filming the members practicing near the entrance, greeted us with surprise. With their hair dyed in various colors, the members greeted Joo Woosung with a 100-degree bow. Hello, senior! Uh, yeah. I could feel Joo Woosung ring at me. Sorry, but dont be mad. It was a behind-the-scenes (BTS) shoot for oureback preparations. The nning team leader pushed for it, and I agreed, even though it was sudden. Joo Woosung looked at the members uneasily and then put his arm around my shoulders. To others, it looked like we were close. Hey, you didnt tell me about the filming. Weve met once or twice, right? Weve only met once or twice, havent we? Ah, right. He didnt know about my time as a PD. Im just saying you should understand my style. Joo Woosung, just pretend to be friendly with me and give me some tips. I cant believe it! If it werent for that photo! Joo Woosung sighed deeply. Then he removed his arm around me and sat quietly on the practice room sofa. It was satisfying to see him listen to me so well. The members bowed their heads in unison whenever Joo Woosung spoke, which was amusing to watch. However, it seemed that the desperate energy of the rookie group had an impact on Joo Woosung, as he nodded his head and changed his gaze. Then lets not waste any time and have a look. Yes! At the enthusiastic response from the members, the manager yed the song as if he had been waiting for the cue. We practiced non-stop for three days after the incident with the thief. There wasnt much time left, and we had no choice but to master the choreography. Seong Jiwon, who was in charge of the first part, began the song. Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance, Inside my head, this ringing sensation, say it again, Im back, I clench my fists tightly, I cant miss this chance. Seong Jiwon continued singing smoothly, even though he seemed nervous. In fact, it was more urate to say that everyone was out of their minds, having stayed up all night for the past week. Seong Jiwon twisted his head and stepped forward. I stood up behind him, and the surrounding members crossed their arms and made a table shape in front of me. Oh, pick a card, the future bes clearer, Dont worry about the low chances, theres no need, Its okay, Ill lead you. Joo Woosung looked at me with sharper eyes than the other members, but I wasnt nervous. I was also not in my right mind due to endless all-nighters and penalties from the system window. When I sang thest verse, Jeong Dajun added harmony and stood up. Come to me,e to me, Dont be afraid,e to me, I have my second chance. They performed quite well. At that moment, Jeong Dajun bent down, and Kim Seonghyeon stepped over him as he began singing. The previously shaky live performance became much more stable in terms of pitch. I wont miss this cold sensation. After that, Kang Ichae rapped, and Seong Jiwon, Jeong Dajun, and I added harmonies to finish the song. We breathed heavily like a stray dog thrown out of the water, having poured all our efforts into the performance. Honestly I felt like throwing up because of my abnormal condition. Damn system window. Damn penalties. Wow, cough Phew. Joo Woosung looked at us and briefly hesitated before pointing at me. Hoyun. Yes? Are you feeling sick? Or are you always a bit slow? Im always a bit slow. Hiding my pain, I responded calmly. Joo Woosung burst intoughter, then quickly returned to a serious expression. Jeong Dajun, who had been watching quietly, stepped in. Our slowpoke hyung has improved a lot. Was that apliment? I sent a nce to Jeong Dajun. This wasnt apetition program, so growth wasnt the most important thing. For idols, everything was judged by just 3-4 minutes of stage performance. So, regardless of how much they grow, what mattered was the final result. Joo Woosung stood up slowly. Overall, it wasnt bad. But sometimes, there are parts in individual sections where the choreography is empty, right? You usually have to fill in those gaps with gestures. Yes, yes. Ill show you how to do it. For some reason, Joo Woosung demonstrated the gestures himself. I thought he would just do it briefly and dismiss it, but his level felt different, even with a simple pose. Impressive Joo Woosung wasnt just a pretty face after all. Watching him, I was diligently taking notes. No, no. Thats not it. Let me see. You dance well, but youre putting too much power into it. You need to rx your shoulders here. You seem to have some charm. Try to use that. Imagine theres a camera. Joo Woosung did not hesitate to advise the members, even on the smallest details. But when it was my turn, he paused. Joo Woosung made a face that seemed to say, How should I handle this slowpoke? before giving me detailed advice. Seo Hoyun, when you dance during individual parts, its too obvious that youre not good at it. Instead, try topensate for the skill gap with the members with charm. Its a temporary solution but better than being a slowpoke. Yes. And about your singing, its good that you sing better than I thought, but you stillck emotion. Emotion, thats something I heard from Lim Hyeonsu as well. The members pointed it out several times too. It seems like youre the one who knows everything about this song, but theres no fun in singing too honestly. Try again. I sang my part once more. Joo Woosung, looking frustrated, patted his chest and shook his head. No, do it again. I sang again. Whats the problem? Why cant you sing with emotion? Ah, this talented jerk
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! Chapter 16 Chapter 16 How do I do that? Just do it? I tried hard to get useful feedback, but Joo Woosung Being a talented jerk made it difficult. Nothing was more frustrating than a talented jerks advice to a culprit, like Just do it, why cant you? Why isnt it working? Oh, Pick a Card just do it like that. Wow, amazing. As Joo Woosung sang, the members pped enthusiastically. What talent does Joo Woosung have? If I had that talent, everything would have been easy I would have been dating, too, or something like that It was very different for me. The gap was too wide to follow blindly. Emotion, what was that? How do you do it? Hmmm. Joo Woosung rubbed his chin and gestured to the manager. It was a sign to turn off the camera for a moment. As the manager hesitated and turned off the camera, Joo Woosung whispered quietly. Seo Hoyun. Youre good at acting, right? You acted like we were close in front of sasaeng the other day Oh, right. What is it? Try doing it like when you threatened me. A very specific instruction. You were so sinister back then. It felt like I had been caught by at least five tigers. You hold grudges, dont you. Woosung doesnt have that kind of thing. Could this guy also have to choose conversation options randomly? I tried to recall how I had handled it back then. I was confident with Lim Hyeonsu and sure that Joo Woosung would fall into my trap. Look, right now, hes generously donating his talent to me for free. Try it, hurry. Yes. I opened my mouth, remembering the feeling of that time, and obediently sang the song. Oh, pick a card, the future bes clearer, Dont worry about the low chances, theres no need, Its okay, Ill lead you. Oh, thats it! What? How did that robot suddenly develop emotions? You did it, Hoyun! Its like apletely inscrutable psychopath, I love it! You look like youd be really good at scamming people! Everyone pped their hands beside me. They probably didnt know what Joo Woosung said to me and couldnt grasp the situation, but thosepliments were directed at my actions. I red at them. Joo Woosung nodded proudly. Hey, the nning team really knows you well. They gave you the perfect position as a creepy guy. Why are you making a big deal? I whispered quietly so that only Joo Woosung could hear. He closed his mouth and quickly changed the subject. Shall we try it again? Yes, understood! Everyone enthusiastically began practicing. It was only because the kids didnt have a proper trainer that they absorbed Joo Woosungs tips like a sponge and quickly made them their own. Stretch your arm out there! Belt it out more! Lift the final note cleanly! In particr, Seong Jiwons learning speed was incredible. All the members followed Joo Woosungs instructions and finished the song as one body. Well done, you little brat While I was evaluating Joo Woosung, he was also evaluating The Dawn. This team is pretty good, huh? Why didnt you do well on your debut? Thank you! At that moment Ding! [The condition has worsened!] I clenched my teeth for a moment. My face turned pale. Joo Woosung was about to make us practice more, but he nced at me and furrowed his brow. I think a few more tries will do, but lets take a break for now. Yes, thank you! That was a relief. The members bowed to Joo Woosung and copsed to the floor one by one while I sluggishly got up and headed to the bathroom. My head throbbed with each movement; my vision turned yellowish. I hastened to open the bathroom door, grabbed the toilet, and vomited everything I had eaten. Ugh Ding! [You are under a status abnormality. Would you like to open the quest window?] Stop bothering me. Its not attractive. I mumbled and stuck my finger down my throat. After vomiting everything, I left the bathroom and turned on the faucet. As the water poured, I rinsed my mouth and looked up to see someone with a scowl in the mirror. It was Joo Woosung. Holding up better than I thought, huh? Joo Woosung sneered with his arms crossed. I ignored him and pulled out a paper towel to dry my hands. But continuing while youre in pain, its not resilience. Its just foolishness. Is that a tip? Yeah, sure. Lets call it a tip. Joo Woosung shrugged his shoulders. Where does it hurt? Its gastritis, along with a cold and aching body. Youve got it bad. Have you been to the hospital? Going to the hospital wont make it better. Are you afraid of hospitals? At your age? I couldnt believe the nonsense he was saying. I already tried to take medicine, but it seemed like it didnt work because of the system window. Going to the hospital wouldnt help. So what are you going to do? Now youre using banmal (informalnguage) too? Joo Woosung let out a sarcasticugh as I answered him half-heartedly. Lets go back. We have to practice. Why are you working so hard? What? I thought youd be prettyx today, but that wasnt the case. You know whats weird about you? You dont seem to be passionate about bing an idol, but youre incredibly devoted to practicing and promoting your group. Hes evaluating me urately. Joo Woosung might have been distracted by his romantic life, but he seemed to pick up on my situation as a fellow idol. Hey, hey. I tried to ignore him and move past, but Joo Woosung blocked the bathroom door and wouldnt budge. He wouldnt move until I told him what he wanted to hear. If I had been feeling better, I would have pushed past him. But right now, I have no strength in my body. I let out a deep sigh. Hes such a pain I want to debut. Why? Ive had bad luck. But Ill still take responsibility. My bad luck was due to the system window. My answer must not have been enough for Joo Woosung. He looked puzzled, but I left him and headed for the practice room. Joo Woosung hurriedly followed me. What riddle are you talking about? Quiet down, my head is killing me. Youre so rude. Joo Woosung grumbled and opened the practice room door. As soon as it opened, everyone looked at us with a start. Whats up with the atmosphere here? As Joo Woosung mumbled, the manager quickly turned off the camera, sensing the mood. It was as if a funeral had just taken ce. I had a bad feeling. Ding! [Please check the quest.] Ho, Hoyun. Seong Jiwon looked at me with a pale face. Why? Did, did you see this? Seong Jiwon held out his trembling hand with his phone. There was a video with a ck screen uploaded on YouTube. Second Chance? The Dawn. It was only 35 seconds long, but it was clearly our song. Our Oureback song has been leaked. What? Joo Woosung frowned on my behalf. However, I, the actual person involved, remained calm. No, rather, the moment I had been waiting for finally came. Guys, lets talk to the CEO first. Everything will be fine. Who Who leaked it? Well find that outter. Lets just stay calm for now. I looked at the worried members and manager, and my eyes met Joo Woosungs. His gaze was fixed on me. Why ? Why are you smiling? When I touched my mouth with my hand, I could clearly feel the corners of my mouth lifted. Joo Woosungs eyes wavered. At the same time, a quest failure alert appeared. Ding! [Quest failed! Prevent youreback song from being leaked! Someone is trying to leak your song. Stop the song from being leaked to reduce the damage. Sess: Dance 10 Failure: Status Effect. As the quest deadline approaches, the status effect bes worse.] Hey, Seo Hoyun! Suddenly, my vision wavered, and the quest window shook with my body. Everyone panicked and rushed towards me. Seo Hoyun, snap out of it! [You failed the quest.] My vision flickered. My legs wobbled, and just like an old TV screen turning off, my consciousness snapped. It was the first quest failure I had ever experienced. *** When I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling. Ah, I always wanted to use this phrase. I held my now somewhat clear head and looked around. The quest window floated next to me, emitting blue light. [The quest failure penalty time has expired.] It seemed some time had passed. As I tried to sit up, I saw an IV connected to my arm. A long scar I hadnt seen in a while was revealed along with it. It seemed to be an emergency room. I looked for my phone to check the time and saw Seo Hojin sleeping beneath me. Seo Ho I tried to call out, but my voice didnte out well. Ah, how was I supposed to wake him up? Annoyed, I dropped the phone from the small bedside table next to us onto his body. Startled, Seo Hojin jumped up. Hyung. Hey, water. Hyung, youre awake! Seo Hojin rushed towards me with a fuss. I was about to ask for water, but this guy wasnt in his right mind now. I was really worried about you, wondering what would happen. Looking closely, his eyes were swollen. Surprised, I asked with my cracked voice. Did you cry? No, I didnt. Ah, I think I know whats going on. Seo Hojin ng to me because I was the only family he had left in his life. We cut ties with all our trashy rtives long ago, and our parents had already passed away. Who else was left? Just me. If I die, he would truly be left alone. That fact made me feel sorry and gave me a newfound sense of responsibility. Just give me some water. Seo Hojin sighed deeply as if his worry had finally subsided. He seemed slightly sulky, but I was too tired tofort him. Ah, shit. He muttered a curse while taking out water from the refrigerator, seemingly aware of his fuss. When I checked my phone after taking a sip, I realized I had been unconscious for roughly half a day. Ill call the doctor for you to let them know youre awake. Alright Seo Hojin hesitated and then left the room. It was 2 a.m. Well, at least I could make it to the music video shooting on time. Iy back down and checked the notifications on my phone. 24 missed calls, 278 messages Whats going on? I felt nervous as I checked them. First, the missed calls. Seo Hojin, Seo Hojin, manager, manager, Lim Hyeonsu, Joo Woosung, Lim Hyeonsu, Lim Hyeonsu, Kim Seonghyeon and various members had called me. Ignoring the calls for now, I moved on to the messages. It seemed like a group chat was created. Kang Ichae: Hyung, are you okay??? Seong Jiwon: Seems like you overdid it Jeong Dajun: Hoyun-hyung why arent you waking up yet Kim Seonghyeon: Were going to meet the manager for a while. Call if anything happens Oh I was engulfed in a strange feeling. These kind-hearted fools. It had been a while since someone other than Seo Hojin worried about me like this. As I was about to reply that I was fine, my phone rang. [Sucker 2] Why was this guy calling? I obediently answered the call. Yes, this is Seo Hoyun. Hey, are you alright? An awkward voice from Joo Woosung flowed out. I leaned against the pillow and casually answered. Im alive. Your personality is really. Whats the matter? Youre so annoying. I ignored him. I was about to tell him to hang up if he had nothing to say, but Joo Woosung hurriedly spoke up. I was just wondering if I pushed you too hard and made you copse. Im worried. Thats not the case. Alright Is that all? Then Ill hang up. Ah, no. Thats not it. Why was this guy like this? I called because I wanted to ask you something. What is it? Did you know about the leak incident? Before I copsed, I remembered Joo Woosungs gaze fixed on me. I was silent for a moment before opening my mouth. It didnt matter if Joo Woosung, who wasnt a member, held onto my weakness by knowing the truth. I knew about it. Why did you do that? You could have stopped it. Why do you think? Is that all youre going to say? I did it to create a buzz. I sighed as I spoke. When the water ising in, you row. We received Blue Tigers song, and I wanted to use the leak incident for more noise marketing. Do you know how they are reacting? Well, they say the song is good. There are some news articles up as well. Blue Tiger was already well-known. Your fans are gradually increasing too. Joo Woosung answered with disappointment. It was quite appropriate. The situation wasnt bad, but I didnt have the energy to check the reactions on my phone. It was a relief that Joo Woosung told me about the reactions objectively. It seems fine. Most of the conditions were met. A good song, a decent amount of buzz, and members with solid skills. Thats how star quality was created. All that was left was the showcase and some content production. I calcted vigorously in my head. Thank you for telling me. Uh huh. Um, Seo Hoyun. Yes? Ive cursed at you a lot in my mind. Im sorry. What was he talking about? Joo Woosung sighed from the other side of the phone. I thought you were a real scammer, without passion or talent, just exploiting people I went too far. Im sorry. Its okay. I saved your number as sucker anyway. Do you really want to die? Although there was much to say, I closed my mouth and listened to him as he wanted. Anyway, I was wrong. You were working hard. You were really trying to climb up using any means necessary. Joo Woosung had been in the business for 4 or maybe 5 years. It seemed like he became a bitcent as an idol. Well, everything would wither away eventually. No matter how popr, the lives of celebrities were empty in the end. Joo Woosung seemed to be that kind of case. Your members are also working incredibly hard Seeing them makes me think, What am I doing right now, so pathetic. Mr. Joo Woosung. Huh? Is this a confession booth? Why are you suddenly confessing your sins? You cheeky brat. I said that because I was annoyed, but Joo Woosung couldnt help butugh even though he grumbled. It wasnt meant to be funny. I nced ahead and saw Seo Hojining back with the doctor. Joo Woosung slowly stoppedughing and spoke to me. Just keep fighting. Take care of yourself. Yes. I hung up the phone with a strange feeling. When I was a PD, I sometimes cast Joo Woosung and tortured him for the sake of the program, or maybe he disliked me because, with his outstanding talents and sharp instincts, he sensed something. Surprisingly, we have developed a friendly rtionship now. Maybe I should change the saved name, at least. I pressed my phone firmly. Then, as I was about to speak to Seo Hojin, who had returned with the doctor, a ruckus erupted suddenly at the entrance. It was the members. Hoyun-hyung! Jeong Dajun, with a tear-streaked face, and the members trying to calm him down were approaching us. Hey, hey. This is the emergency room. Be quiet. Hyung is alive! Guys, be quiet! Hoyun, Im sorry! Even Seong Jiwon, who was trying to calm them down, was gradually raising his voice. The doctor, who was watching them nkly, asked me a question. Friends? No, I dont know them. I covered my face and pretended not to know them But my excuse wasnt persuasive.
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! Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Hyung, are you really okay? Yeah. You had gastritis from overworking. The doctors said not to push yourself too hard, but Im fine. The members eyes narrowed. They pretended not to hear and picked up their phones. The car was already headed to the music video set. Seo Hojin: Are you trying to work yourself to death, hyung?? Seo Hojin: No answer, no answer, no answer. Seo Hojin: Dontin to meter Seo Hojin: Sigh No answer but if youre really in pain, just tell me Now done with Seo Hojins messages. Lim Hyeonsu: Crazy ;;; What is up with this leak? Lim Hyeonsu: How does yourpany manage things? Lim Hyeonsu: People keep saying you picked a good song amid this I admit to that She only sent it to brag. I sent a heartfelt text message to Lim Hyeonsu. Me: Yup. Did you copse from the shock of the leak? No, it was overwork. Well its enough to copse from overwork. Hoyun was the hardest-working one, right? Everyone nodded their heads vigorously. He doesnt look like it, but hes really unique. What do you mean he doesnt look like it? It seems like you grew up without much hardship. Me? A hollowugh escaped. Hey, in my time Ah, here it goes. Hey! I really did have a hard time. If I were to write about the hardships I went through before I was possessed, it would be published as an autobiography, surpassing bestsellers and even being made into a movie, making people cry and creating a river with their tears! Ding! [Its hopeless!] If you include the system window, it would be ssified as fantasy, not an autobiography, but anyway, thats how it was, okay? Anyway, its a relief that youvee to your senses. Everyone was on the verge of losing it, but when they saw you copse, they actually pulled themselves together. When did these guys start feeling so close to me? I ignored them and continued ying our song. We still struggled to match the slightly offbeat rhythm. We had no more time left because of my excursion to the emergency room. Ah, weve arrived. After visiting the salon and returning to the car for a brief nap, we arrived at the music video filming site in no time. Seong Jiwon seemed nervous as he cautiously brushed his chest. Kim Seonghyeon patted his shoulder and signaled us to leave the car. We got out of the car and started bowing 90 degrees as soon as we saw the staff. Hello! Hello, please take good care of us! Oh, youre the ones who caught that thiefst time, right? Yes, thats right! That was so cool. I saw the news article. Good luck today! The staffs eyes widened, then they smiled and greeted us warmly. As we entered the studio, we saw a hastily prepared stage set. Wow, is this the set? Amazing! It looks low-budget I wasnt sure if I should call this a stage set or just low-budget lighting trying to cover up theck of funds. I asked the CEO to give us proper promotion. My expression turned sour. In contrast, the eyes of the members standing next to me were sparkling as they looked around. I nced around and made eye contact with a man in his 40s in front of the camera. Hello! We are The Dawn. Oh, you startled me. I could tell at a nce. This man was Director Jeong, whom Lim Hyeonsu mentioned. It seemed like the two were quite close, considering they used casualnguage with each other despite the age difference. Director Jeong smiled at us. You guys have great energy, being rookies and all. Were going to finish filming the individual teasers and the music video today. I look forward to working with you. Yes! We look forward to working with you as well. He seemed nicer than I thought. I made eye contact with Director Jeong. He smiled and reached out his hand. Youre Seo Hoyun, right? The one Lim Hyeonsu kept badmouthing until her mouth went dry. Usually, she would praise us, wouldnt she? I was nervous, but a professional smile was already on my face. I took his hand and replied confidently. Im not sure what youre talking about. Hahaha, dont worry, I didnt hear the details either. But I did hear that you have a very seasoned and bold spirit, unlike a rookie. Theres a lot of talk about leaks and stuff, but you know all that controversy goes away if you do well, right? He was subtly putting pressure on me. But I shamelessly smiled. Ill do my best. Ill be looking forward to it today. I wanted to talk more with Director Jeong, but because the curious gazes of the members were fixed on us, it seemed difficult to have an honest conversation any longer. Ill talk more to himter and try to capture him if hes useful. Guys, hurry up! You need to try on your costumes. A stylist who only worked with the actors from Daepaseong Entertainment raised her hand and called us. The members were very tense. Your costumes are reallyplicated. Were sorry! Huh? What are you sorry for? Actors dont wear clothes like this, so I dont often have a chance to make them. I had so much fun doing this after a long time. Thank you, maam. You can call me noona! When Kang Iche kindly spoke, the stylist happily agreed. They skillfully divided the clothes for each member. ording to the n pushed by the youngest member of the nning team, the concept was divided into two. We looked with curiosity as we received the clothes. They were indeedplicated. After struggling for a while, we dressed and stood in front of the mirror. Draped in a dark blue uniform that was more akin to navy, I had a strap running diagonally from my right shoulder to the left side of my waist. I just stared nkly, not knowing if it was okay. Wow, Seo Hoyun, you look amazing! Is it okay? Its beyond okay! You have a cool aura, so its like you were born wearing this. Thank you. Perfect fit, perfect fit! The stylists and hair professionals looked on with satisfaction. As the other members came out, Seong Jiwon suddenly thrust a camera in front of us. Wow, Hoyun! It really suits you! What are you filming? The manager told me to film BTS footage for the shoot. I roughly got the idea. Seong Jiwon wore a uniform simr to mine, but his hat was slightly different. His shiny brown hair that glowed under the light suited him well. At the same time, Kim Seonghyeon, Jeong Dajun, and Kang Ichae came out. They were dressed more in military uniforms than formal ones. The stylists were busy fixing their hair and clothes as the three wore their boots and rolled up their sleeves. Kids these days are really tall. I know, right? Their long arms and legs make it fun to dress them. Ah hehe. Jeong Dajunughed shyly. Kang Ichae had already snatched the camera from Seong Jiwon and was running around yfully like a puppy. Say hello to the camera here! Uh, can the staff say hello too? Of course! Im sorry. Kang Ichae,e here. I dont want to! This kid Kim Seonghyeon scolded him, then brought him back because of his overly casual behavior with the staff. It was then. As we were getting ready to leave, a song began to echo through the quiet filming set. Uh It was our song. The low beat and the humming sound, the song we struggled to re-record because of Lim Hyeonsuwhich, she said, might have turned out even better than the White Cherry trackwas ying. ying the singers song at the MV shoot was natural, so the staff quickly focused on their work again, but the other members nor I could move. Its our song. Seong Jiwon quietly smiled. Jeong Dajun shut his mouth tightly, which had been chattering incessantly just moments ago. Goodness. How could I be moved again by a song weve listened to and practiced countless times? Seeing the cute reactions of the members, the stylists and hair stylists added a few words with a smile. You guys really have a great song! Its addictive. Itll be really popr once its released. Th-thank you. Jeong Dajun bowed his head with a slight sob. I nced at him and suddenly felt mischievous. I pressed down the back of Jeong Dajuns neck. Jeong Dajun stumbled and stuttered. Ah, hyung. What was that for? Lets do well today too. *** Be more sentimental! Dont be awkward in front of the camera, and handle your gaze more sentimentally, Jiwon. Yes! Director Jeong was stricter than I thought. He was all smiles upfront but like a tiger behind. I heard from Lim Hyeonsu that he was usually theid-back type. Why was he working so hard now? Wow, hes really thorough. He seems to know all the details too. I should really treat Lim Hyeonsu to some expensive saketer. Impressive, the energy. Indeed Seong Jiwon looked troubled and seemed a bit nervous too. Even though he was already making a sentimental face, Director Jeong kept retaking the scene as if Jiwon could do better. No! I told you to look further away! Ah, yes! Kang Ichae was enthusiastically filming the BTS video, capturing everything. Jeong Dajun seemed restless, unable to grasp Jiwons struggle. Hyung! Hyung, think about the chick you raised in front of the elementary school! You said you cried back then! Hey, hey! Seong Jiwons face turned red, and he yelled at Jeong Dajun. Laughter erupted among the staff on set. However, Director Jeong remained serious. Its fine, right? Lets try it again with a feeling of missing that chick. ? Imagine what that chick would look like if it had grown into a chicken. What was he talking about? Is that even art? Was it okay to say that? No, it was not. I watched with my arms folded. What was truly remarkable was that, the moment the cameras red light flickered on, Seong Jiwons embarrassed blush gave way to a genuinely sentimental expression. No, is it just a face? I was confused, scratching my chin, while Director Jeong became even more excited and called for more chick-rted expressions. Thats it! Thats the face! What was the chicks name? Ch Chicken. Good, think about Chicken! Chicken? Jiwon-hyung is quite crueler than I thought, isnt it? Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae murmured to each other. Dumb and dumber couldnt be more separate. Can you act like that after receiving that order? I cant. As I murmured, Kim Seonghyeon silently nodded in agreement. The trainee life never goes to waste. Kang Ichae held the camera with a professional mindset, desperately holding back hisughter. I need to see how itll be editedter. Seong Jiwon seemed embarrassed but was no longer as tense as before. He was so nervous in the recording studiost time. Whats his problem? I shook my head, puzzled. He was so nervousst time. Next, Kim Seonghyeon! Yes! Kim Seonghyeon answered confidently and walked forward. The red light flickered on. Sitting in the spot surrounded by the camera, he took a deep breath andposed his expression. Look coldly, Seonghyeon! At Director Jeongs order, Seonghyeon slightly tilted his head and looked forward. As nned, it was a fitting image for a cold and thorough character. But, looking at Director Jeong, his mouth was slightly pouting, as if dissatisfied. No way. I quickly gestured to Kang Ichae. He nodded and asked a staff member for the sketchbook he had prepared earlier. He quickly scribbled something before holding it up. Hyung, look at this! As Kim Seonghyeon looked startled, the quiz in Kang Ichaes rushed handwriting came into view. Kim Seonghyeon squinted at it, and a few staff members followed suit. What greeting does a gentleman makes? What? What kind of quiz is this? I took the sketchbook, flipped a page, and held it above my shoulder. Kang Ichae shouted. The answer is! Shin Saimdang?[1] The atmosphere in the shooting set became awkward. Especially around Kim Seonghyeon, who was solving the quiz, it felt as cold as the Arctic. Of course, Director Jeong was thrilled. Shin Saimdang! Your expression is perfect right now! Thats the cold image I want! Cold and disdainful, like youre looking down on your opponent! It worked. Good. Yes. I held out my thumb to Kang Ichae. He nodded and started preparing the second question. A few staff members with unique tastes watched this situation with great interest. When the dragon goes up to the sky what does it say? What? Ascension? The answer will be revealed by Jiwon-hyung! Pressured by the atmosphere, Seong Jiwon reluctantly held up the sketchbook. Kim Seonghyeon seemed really distressed, but he couldnt ignore the answer and had no choice but to look at the sketchbook. Embarrassed, Seong Jiwon shouted the answer. The answer is I, Im going up-dragon![2] Did someone turn on the air conditioner? I asked Jeong Dajun. With a doubtful expression, he shook his head. It seemed like the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees. Seong Jiwon genuinely seemed embarrassed as he hung his head. Director Jeong, who was happilymanding the camera and shooting non-stop, finished Kim Seonghyeons filming in just five minutes. Perfect, nothing more to improve. Director Jeong sent Kim Seonghyeon off with a satisfied smile. For some reason, Kim Seonghyeon appeared exhausted as he stumbled out from in front of the camera. Then, he gave Kang Ichae a light punch. Um, next, Seo Hoyun, pleasee in! Ah, finally, its my turn. Kang Ichae cheered me on. I stood in front of the dazzling lights and reflectors. I didnt know it would feel like this to stand here. I had always been the person standing behind the camera. Seo Hoyun, dont be nervous. Just do what you always do. Be subtle and somewhat cunning. Okay. It seemed like Director Jeong knew something about the incident with Lim Hyeonsu. I frowned as I looked at the changing lights. I was subtly nervous. Why are you nervous? Haha Thats right. Director Jeong smiled wryly and looked at me subtly. I recalled the advice given to me by Lim Hyeonsu and Joo Woosung while trying to smile awkwardly. Ill do my best. I took a deep breath and slowly opened my eyes toward the camera. Director Jeongs eyes were flickering as if trying to catch something but became serious instantly. Your gaze is perfect right now Okay. Director Jeong gave me the pass sign from the beginning and did a close-up shot. I slowly fiddled with my fingers and looked ahead. Lower your gaze a bit more and try to smile. Fortunately, the character concept of this project matched well with me. If I had to continue with the cute and lively pineapple concept, it would have been difficult to immerse myself and shoot well like this. Good, just like that Um, I like it. Director Jeong nodded his head and gestured. As I slowly walked out, the members eyes were on me. Youre good at facing the camera, Hoyun. It was worth the expectation. Thank you. Come here and take a look. As I went next to Director Jeong and looked at the screen, it felt a bit surreal. Moving on the screen as Seo Hoyun and standing under the blue light with a frown everything was strange. Its fascinating. It felt like it wasnt me. How is it? Do you like it? At the same time, a prompt appeared. [Choice
  1. Am I an angel?
  2. My heart is racing so fast.
  3. Im very handsome.]
Damn it. I quickly chose. Im very handsome. What? Hahaha! It was the best option. At least it was the safest. I shamelessly said it, but Director Jeong burst intoughter and patted me on the back. You have a sense of humor, Seo Hoyun. Did he mean I was not really handsome? [1] Its a y on words. ? (What greeting does a gentleman make?) (gentleman) + (greeting) can also be understood as , which sounds like (Shin Saimdang), a famous Korean historical figure. [2]Again, a y on words. means to go up and means dragon. In the punchline, is a punbining the two words, creating a phrase that sounds like Im going up-dragon which is both a literal description of the action and a y on the word (dragon).
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! Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Hahaha! Its fun, its fun. Director Jeong didnt answer; he just walked awayughing. It was a bit unfair, but I let it go. The individual teasers and jacket shooting were finished in the morning, and the MV shooting went smoothly afterward. I wasnt lying when I said we practiced the choreography at least twenty times. It was especially difficult because we did ten of those takes with water on the floor. I wondered if there was a special meaning behind filling the floor with water. When I asked why, Director Jeong happily exined while raising his thumb. Low-budget filming makes it hard to add CG, so we put water to make it look prettier as you struggle for real! Ah-ha! I kept my mouth shut about theck of money and continued to shoot with the members and the director. [Dance +1] [Dance +2] [Dance +2] [Dance +1] Why does the system work properly for once? [Real performance is the best! We give double experience points for the dance performed in a real performance because of the increased tension!] It was nice of them to exin it kindly. Since the time I failed a quest, I became more distrustful of the system window. Ill take a rest ande back! Okay! Jeong Dajun quickly left the set and squeezed himself into a corner, resting while wrapping his red, swollen ankles with a hot pack after continuously dancing in the cold water. This will make him look pitiful, right? Kang Ichae. Yes! I gestured to Kang Ichae and pushed the camera toward Jeong Dajun. Dajun, are you cold? Uh, no, Im fine! Jeong Dajun pretended not to be cold and jumped up in surprise. Seong Jiwon handed over the nket he had been covering himself with. Use this. Theres still some time before the next shoot. Its okay! Watching Jeong Dajun forcing a brave smile made me feel ufortable. He barely ate or slept for almost a week, and now he was working extremely hard here. We didnt even push the contestants this hard in mypetition program. Since Jeong Dajun was the youngest, he sometimes reminded me of Seo Hojin No, what was I saying? Why would I be fond of Jeong Dajun? While Kang Ichae interviewed Seong Jiwon with the camera, Jeong Dajun asked me a question. Are you really okay, Hoyun-hyung? Why? You were in the emergency room just a few hours ago. Youre not going to pass out again, are you? Ah, what was I going to say? I was fine now that the debuff was gone. I unconsciously pat Jeong Dajuns head. Worry about yourself, Jeong Dajun. Whats this? A drama? Jeong Dajun grumbled and came out of the corner. Kang Ichae had already moved away and was heading toward Kim Seonghyeon, who was monitoring the shoot with Director Jeong. Jeong Dajun stared at him. Its really touching to be able to shoot like this again. Save that for when the camera is rolling. Im saying it because Im in front of you. Its embarrassing. How can I say this? No, rather, he could earn sympathy votes. I considered giving him advice but decided against it, as it could be dangerous for a rookie to rely too much on public sympathy. Jeong Dajun let out a small sigh. I really wanted to give up every day, but after Hoyun-hyung returned, everything seemed to work out. Is that so? Well see when the resultse out. Of course, I already set up all the traps I could. Hoarding was a guilty pleasure, and the risk of getting caughtter was too high, so I set up the best traps I could. The rest was up to the public. I was once caught up in a malicious entertainmentpany. Really? Im just grateful for our current agency The current agency wasnt that great either As an actor, maybe, but as an idol, they didnt even make it into any tier list. As I kept my mouth shut and looked at him, Jeong Dajun shivered. What wouldve happened if I signed with thatpany? Ugh, it gives me goosebumps. If it werent for the person who stopped me back then The person who stopped you? Yes. A few years ago, someone told me not to join such a ce and toe to my senses. They were a broadcast station staff member but strangely, I cant remember their name or face well. Huh? Jeong Dajun suddenly pped his hands with realization. Now that I think about it, Hoyun-hyungs vibe is simr to that persons. Theyre really simr. Their way of speaking and the atmosphere around them Huh? I felt a sense of unease. My head throbbed for a moment. Just as I was about to grab Jeong Dajun and ask him, Kim Seonghyeon called us. Lets shoot again! Yes, on my way! I talked too much about useless things. Lets do our best again, hyung! Uh Yeah. I rolled my eyes and replied. Jeong Dajun ran off energetically, and I had no choice but to follow him. No way, no way No, it cant be. I shook my head and looked at the set. Now was the time to focus. A few days after the shoot ended, the teaser was urgently released. It was a move conscious of the leakedeback song incident. *** Ugh, I want to destroy mypany An office worker who had given up K-pop nearly two years ago because of various K-pop controversies arrived home, exhausted from work. She cleaned up her fandom-rted social media ounts but left her personal ount active since she had friends she had been interacting with for years. Lying in bed, she was browsing her timeline, watching cute cat videos and re-tweets when suddenly, her timeline was filled with ??? Whats this? The person who filled her timeline was a friend who lightly liked Joo Woosung and left only a personal ount like hers. Thinking it was nothing serious, she was about to move on when she noticed a re-tweeted video. It was the music video of The Dawn, an idol group she casually criticized for having a terrible name. They were doing a lot of noise marketing before Of course, they were also famous for being heroes who caught a thief and helped an elderly woman. But they first caught her attention after watching Joo Woosungs appearance on a variety show. They consistently made minor appearances in onlinemunities with incidents like theeback song leak. Well, hes handsome enough. When a friend cried over the individual teasers of the members being released not long ago, she didnt pay much attention. After all, there were too many idols overflowing in South Korea. It was as if a third of the Korean people were idols. A few years ago, she was devastated by the controversy surrounding the character of the idol she was a fan of, and after that, her perception of K-pop was no longer favorable. Of course, she still listened to some songs [Tears are streaming down my face; this is the taste of hot K-pop Yes, The Dawn is the new future.] [We announce The Dawns streaming guide for mass streaming.] [Its been so long since Ive seen a music video with this kind of story, Im getting emotional If its an apocalyptic SF movie + uniforms + techwear + Cheongbeoms song, you just have to listen, right? You just shove it in your mouth, right?] [Guys, Im desperate. Whats the name of the brown-haired guy?????? Hes so innocent???? My heart just skipped a beat.] [Im into ck hair ;;;;; Whos the ck-haired one??? Im a longtime K-pop fan, and Im desperate right now.] [Love. starts with What the f*ck is this?] But the timeline was full of rave reviews, which piqued her interest. These people were all K-pop veterans, so they wouldnt be interested in just any idol. Cheongbeom was the nickname ofposer Blue Tiger.[1] Oh I love all of Cheongbeoms songs. She clicked on the YouTube link. Five minutes should be fine. She was the type to skip through and only watch a bit of the beginning before turning it off anyway. She opened thements to check the members names and memorized them as they were written with timestamps. It was easy since there were only five. Lets watch it once. A buzzing noise filled the air as if ying an old video. Three silhouettes appeared on a ck background. Buzz Seong Jiwon, sporting brown hair and dressed in a dark military uniform and techwear, pointed a gun at two men lying on the ground. These two appeared to be Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun. Seong Jiwon licked his lips. Im sorry. Just as it seemed the gun would point at Kim Seonghyeon, he withdrew his hand and aimed it at his own head. The moment Kim Seonghyeons eyes widened. Bang! The screen went ck. What? Did hemit suicide? She unknowingly clenched her teeth and couldnt take her eyes off the video. After a few seconds, the ck screen slowly brightened. Thump, thump. Along with the sound of drums, Blue Tigers signature beat echoed. Goosebumps rose all over. As expected of Cheongbeom-unnie! The song was much better than those with corporate capital poured into them. At the same time, under a blindingly white light, Seong Jiwon slowly opened his eyes, stared at the screen, and began to sing. Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance, Inside my head, this ringing sensation, say it again, Im back. Are you kidding me, regression? As a K-pop and webnovel enthusiast, she immediately recognized the setting. Seong Jiwonmitted suicide in the first scene to reset his life. Seong Jiwon staggered to his feet and stared at an old bathroom mirror. I clench my fists tightly, I cant miss this chance. The song is good, isnt it? No Its delicious? As she seriously evaluated the song, a scene of the group dancing in unison in a dark ce was inserted. The camera seemed to close on a character named Kang Ichae, but with a gesture of turning the camera with his hand, the screen switched. Oh, pick a card, the future bes clearer. It was Seo Hoyun. He sat in a chair, casually tapping his foot, and skillfully shuffled the cards. He then chose five cards from the onesid out. As he flipped each card, a spade, queen, ace, and joker appeared. Even when the joker came out, Seo Hoyun remained calm. Dont worry about the low chances, theres no need. In his uniform, Seo Hoyun checked thest card alone and smirked. He tucked the card into his chest, walked to the side, and sangnguidly while locking eyes with the camera. Its okay, Ill lead you. What is this What is this His hair, navy colored but actually closer to ck, and a scar on his face perfectly matched her taste. What is this No, not yet. Did I just experience an unexpected fandom crash? No, not yet. At least not yet. Despite her confusion, the music video continued relentlessly. Seo Hoyun and Seong Jiwon wore navy uniforms, while Kim Seonghyeon and Kang Ichae wore techwear. Seeing the contrasting outfits, it seemed they had captured the concept of government forces and rebels. Come to me,e to me, Dont be afraid,e to me, I have my second chance. Jeong Dajun, who was lying down with Kim Seonghyeon in the first scene, squinted his eyes under the dazzling white light. Then the military dance was cross-edited. Techwear outfits with Cheongbeom-unnies song beats, isnt that cheating? As Jeong Dajun and Seong Jiwon grabbed each others arms, Kim Seonghyeon appeared beneath them and sang. Say it once more, its the beginning for us. At the same time, Kim Seonghyeon, the leader of the revolutionaries running with an assault rifle, was shown. I wille back every time, Dont be afraid of this strange feeling, No need to worry, Ill lead you. Then, as Jeong Dajun bent his waist, Kang Ichae stepped on his back and spun in the air, making a grand entrance. It was a marvelous feat. Stand up with the target, I have confidence, I wont miss this cold sensation. In the scene of the cold sensation, Kang Ichae held a sniper rifle. Jeong Dajun was the target. Werent they on the same team? Why is he targeting him? Before she could solve the mystery, Kang Ichae winked yfully, making her forget what she was thinking. So handsome I can see your face even when I close my eyes, I aint gonna miss this time. Kang Ichae moved back as if shooting a gun while Seong Jiwon and Seo Hoyun began singing again with the choreography. Say it once more, its the beginning for us, I wille back every time. The music video was approaching its highlight with brilliant high notes and solid harmonies supporting the two. In a ce where it rained, Seong Jiwon approached the fallen Jeong Dajun. Kim Seonghyeon red at Seong Jiwon as if resenting him. Seong Jiwon trembled in fear. Dont be afraid of this strange feeling. Uh, this This is the same as the beginning. At that moment, the high note soared, and Seong Jiwon pulled the trigger towards his head, just like in the first scene. Bang! The gunshot rang out again. However, what fell was Seong Jiwons gun. Far away, Kang Ichae, dressed in techwear, contacted someone through a walkie-talkie. Seong Jiwon tried to pick up the fallen gun, but someone kicked it away with their foot. No need to worry, Ill lead you. And gradually a close-up. The emotionless face of Seo Hoyun, wearing the same uniform as Seong Jiwon, was revealed. Seong Jiwons eyes shook. Just this once, at least in this life, I must, I will save you (save you). So he didnt die at the beginning! A chill ran down her spine. The chaotic scene of everyone in The Dawn was captured, and the screen transitioned to the military dance. The water sshing on the floor in sync with the sharp and perfectly matched choreography was truly fantastic. Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance As thest chorus echoed, the scene returned to Seo Hoyuns card shot at the beginning. Thest card Seo Hoyun checked was revealed, ovepping with Seong Jiwon. The King of Hearts. Give you, Give you, Give you Second Chance Seo Hoyun smirked. At the same time, drums echoed as if in tune with the heartbeat. Slowly, the music video faded to ck, and the title was revealed. [The Dawn Second Chance ] She didnt know where her resolve to watch only for a minute had gone. She calmed her pounding heart and entered SNS with her trembling hands. [The Dawn What is this???] [What did I just watch????] [Please exin why Seo Hoyun didnt kill Seong Jiwon damn it] [Was Seong Jiwon betrayed?] [Was I deceived?] [Was I deceived by Seo Hoyun?? Whats with the handsome guy who looks so strong? No, Im still fine, not deceived yet] [No, I think Im deceived] [First of all, please give me the tranted version, dear followers (Begging) Ah So, youve also fallen like this (Trantion link)] Stans became the most obsessed when denying their fandom. While he was looking for The Dawns promotional articles, rted articles appeared below. [Mango Chart reorganization begins 24-hour umted score no longer 100% reflected, real-time chart counts for 70%] Although the article was unrted to him, Seo Hoyun, still in the practice room even though it was nearing dawn, had different thoughts. [The Mango 100bines 24-hour umted scores and real-time chart scores in a 3:7 ratio. During thete-night hours, the 24-hour umted score is 100% reflected.] In a dark corner of the practice room, Seo Hoyun, who was lying down and reading that article, chuckled and put down his phone. The music site had been reorganized. Nothing has changed. In other words, it meant the real game had just begun. [1] Cheongbeom (). () means blue, and () means tiger. Whenbined, () literally trantes to Blue Tiger.
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! Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Guys, we made it onto the real-time chart!! Despite being in the practice room since dawn preparing for the showcase and undoubtedly umting fatigue, the members of The Dawn couldnt contain their excitement. Not only did the view count for the MV continue to rise, but Second Chance also entered the real-time charts of two of the top three music sites, Tinkerbell and Tap. Well, we did drop off the chart again, but Although it was 91st ce, making it onto the chart was still an aplishment. I couldnt sleep all night because I kept refreshing. Same for me, hyung Seong Jiwon seemed to have loosened up and was chatting with Jeong Dajun. However, I was still very tense. All that was left was the Mango chart. I heard the Mango chart was revamped yesterday What does that mean? Kim Seonghyeon tilted his head in confusion. Oh, the timing was quite fitting. Originally, you only needed to consider the 24-hour performance to enter the chart, but now theyve changed it to include real-time performance percentages. Oh, really? I didnt know that. I listened to the conversation from the back seat with my chin propped up. It was exactly what I read in an article yesterday. About a month ago, when I was still in my PD days, I heard it from an insider. Am I crazy to track 24-hour performance? How could a rookie enter the chart within a day? Honestly, it was like trying to pluck stars from the sky. Ding! [ Somehow you were very confident back then, and you even tried to stretch your legs while watching CEO.] Of course. I dont gamble. Although there was no chance it could be heard, I casually replied while tapping my phone. While the restructuring was done correctly, the 24-hour streaming results appeared mixed, and the real-time results were not urately reflected duringte-night hours, causing a dy in the chart entry. Hmm I dont want to file for bankruptcy. What is it? Nothing. This time, it was not only important to achieve a good result, but Second Chance also had to rank for the sake of my bet with the CEO. I was proud that the MV turned out better than expected, but I couldnt feel anything real since I hadnt seen the outside reactions directly. Kim Seonghyeon, who was still excited and was just chatting with Kang Ichae, tapped me lightly. Look at this. What is it? An interpretation of our music video is already out. This fast? Was the firepower stronger than I thought? Speaking of which, I hadnt checked themunity and SNS yet. I took the phone Kim Seonghyeon handed me and checked the post. [Title: The Dawns MV interpretation. Our kids music video is finally out after a long hiatus!!!! The meaning of our kids wearing uniforms is that they are handsome. The meaning of holding a gun and flipping a card is that Seo Hoyun is extremely attractive. The meaning of Kim Seonghyeon suddenly running is that he is the ultimate attractive person] Kim Seonghyeon. What? Did you really want to hear the interpretation to be that youre the ultimate attractive person? Its not like that! Kim Seonghyeon, slightly embarrassed, quickly scrolled further. A proper interpretation was now shown. Keep looking. [ As you can feel in the divine beat of God Cheongbeom, this MV is an apocalyptic SF piece. Seo Hoyun/Seong Jiwon are government forces suppressing the rebel forces. Kim Seonghyeon leads the rebel forces, with Kang Ichae as the assault team and Jeong Dajun as the key. Theyre waiting for an opportunity to confront the government forces. But theres a peculiar point here. Seong Jiwon starts bymitting suicide and regressing instead of killing his enemy, Kim Seonghyeon. From say it again, Im back and I cant miss this chance, we know Seong Jiwon is a regressor. In the meantime, Seo Hoyun appears wearing the same uniform as Seong Jiwon. (It seems his stage name used to be Hoowoh, but its changed and noting up anymore) Seo Hoyun picks up five cards on the table and unfolds them individually. The Joker represents Jeong Dajun, the key and important to both the government and rebel forces. Seo Hoyun flips through as if he anticipated this but smiles meaningfully at thest card. Running_Jeong_Dajun_Kim_Seonghyeon_clip.gif After that, Jeong Dajun and Kim Seonghyeon run away from the government forces. They then encounter government soldier Seong Jiwon during their escape, but with the lyrics Dont be afraid of this strange feeling they strangely feel a sense of familiarity. Saying No need to worry, Seong Jiwon doesnt kill Kim Seonghyeon. Instead, he notices the situation has gone wrong when he sees the severely injured Jeong Dajun. He then points the gun at his own head. Seong_Jiwon_aiming_the_gun_at_himself.gif Hes trying tomit suicide and regress. This is the exact scene we saw at the beginning. In fact, Seong Jiwon was on the side of the rebel forces. But theres another twist; Kang Ichae, whom we thought was a rebel, shoots Seong Jiwon, preventing his regression. Kang_Ichae_holding_a_sniper_rifle.gif The gunshot we heard at the beginning was not Seong Jiwons but Kang Ichaes!!!! This tells us that the regression in the first scene failed. I aint gonna miss this time, Kang Ichae was a government spy and called someone on the radio. Seo Hoyun appears amidst the fallen ruins. His appearance marks the beginning. Dont be afraid of this strange feeling. The song then continues. No need to worry, Ill lead you. Thats right. Seo Hoyun orchestrated the scheme. Seong Jiwons regression failed, the rebel forces fell into Seo Hoyuns hands, and he even took the key, the Joker Jeong Dajun. Seo Hoyun knew everything from the beginning. Seo_Hoyun_flipping_over_a_card.gif The card shows the King of Hearts, Charlemagne. Do you know what this card is also called, everyone? Its the King of Suicide[1] Seo Hoyun knew not only about Jeong Dajun bing the Joker but also that Seong Jiwon, who we thought was on his side, was actually trying to save the rebel forces bymitting suicide and regressing from the very beginning. Im not sure what will happen next, as it seems like the story will continue Everyone Do I look like Im shedding tears while watching this divine music video story? Rather than wiping my tears, please stream our song. Its The Dawn, who lit the fire in my K-pop fandom after a long time] Wow The interpretation is really well-written I nodded involuntarily as I read. At the same time, I felt curious and asked Kim Seonghyeon. Who put so much effort into writing this? It must be our fan a fan. Kim Seonghyeon lowered his voice, seemingly embarrassed. With such talent, it was only natural for fans to emerge, but it had yet to happen. At the same time, I also felt strange. It was so awkward and weird that someone would talk about me like this. Do I have fans? That feeling persisted until we arrived at the showcase venue. We reached the live hall, the Ma of showcases, and our pictures were disyed prominently. People were already lined up in front of the door, waiting for the showcase that was still hours away. Look at those people Ah, there must be another performance happening here? The members didnt think much about it. We didnt have any poprity, so fans waiting in advance seemed impossible. We all got out of the van thinking that way. Jiwon! Seong Jiwon! Ichae, Seonghyeon, look here! We were mistaken. We heard our names being called as soon as we got out of the car. We looked back in surprise. Although there werent many, people were waving their tickets and taking pictures of us with their cameras. Seong Jiwon stammered. What, what is this? Greet them quickly. Amidst the confusion, we heard them call out to us once more. Startled, we bowed, and a cheer erupted. Dajun is so cute! Are they our fans? Jeong Dajun mumbled nervously. No matter how new we were, after a year, they should have adapted somewhat I also bowed next to Jeong Dajun. Hoyuuuuuun! ! Startled, I saw a fan waving a slogan and shouting at me. Hoyun, fighting today! Handsome!! Me? I mumbled in response to this first-time experience. When I pointed at myself, they nodded their heads. Hoyun, when you smile, Im happy too! Unable to ept reality, I blinked. Kim Seonghyeon pressed my neck and spoke in a yful tone. What are you doing? Greet them. Ah yeah. I bowed awkwardly, and the sound of cameras clicking erupted among the fans. Still bewildered as we entered the live hall, Kang Ichae teased me with a giggle. Hyung, I think its the first time Ive seen you flustered. Right? Hes always so calm no matter what happens but he copsed at the sound of the fans cheers. The other members added theirments as they passed by. They were also excited, but my reaction seemed the most unexpected. I still couldnt believe I had fans. Is this for real? I had only received eggs from being the evil PD. The endless hospitality was unfamiliar. Logically, I could ept that I should have a few fans with this kind of poprity, but it still didnt feel real. Thats why I couldnt snap out of it even as I was led to the waiting room, getting my makeup done and changing my outfit. It suits you well today, too, Hoyun. The stylistplimented me while adjusting my outfit. Wearing in-ear monitors and standing in front of the mirror, I saw myself. It was my first time, so, as suggested by the stylist, I agreed to go for techwear. But it made me feel awkward after I put on stage makeup. This feels strange. My phone vibrated. Text messages from Lim Hyeonsu, Joo Woosung, and Seo Hojin. Seo Hojin: Hyung Seo Hojin: Tear up the stage ande back Seo Hojin: If you dont do well, Ill change the front door password, and you wont be able toe home A bitterugh escaped my lips. Yes, lets think about why I was here. Taking a deep breath, I turned around to see the other members, except Seong Jiwon, gathered and trying hard to hide their anxiety. Jeong Dajun spoke to me with a nervous face. Hyung, were going up soon. Get ready. What about Seong Jiwon? He said hes going to the restroom? Hes runningte. Ill go get him. I think I knew what was going on. I left the waiting room and headed for the restroom. Picking up Seong Jiwon and going up to the stage would be perfect timing. As I nodded habitually to the passing staff members, I hid my body next to a vending machine in the hallway when no one was around and whispered softly. Item shop. [Opening the item shop.] Various products appeared before my eyes, sparkling as if asking me to buy them. Without hesitation, I picked the item I had been eyeingst time as my gaze moved across the products. Purchase Cheongsimhwan. [Purchasing Cheongsimhwan.] [300 points consumed.] At the same time, I clenched and opened my hand slightly, and there was a small Cheongsimhwan wrapped in gold foil. Wow, this was really amazing. After checking the surroundings, I got water from the vending machine and looked for Seong Jiwon. As expected. I found him. Right next to the restroom stairs, Seong Jiwons face was pale. Uh. Heaving a deep sigh, Seong Jiwon awkwardly smiled when our eyes met. Hoyun, you came? What are you doing? Lets go. Ah just, Im feeling a bit nervous. It seemed like he was more than just a little nervous. I would have thought it was Seong Jiwon, with a facepletely bleached white, not me, who had just visited the emergency room. Im sorry Ill make sure the team doesnt get hurt. I sat down silently beside him. There was still some time left. Seeing Seong Jiwon mumbling weakly, I thought the showcase would be ruined if we didnt resolve this. Even his breathing was a bitbored. It seemed like he might copse at any moment due to his unstable breathing. I looked at him calmly. Ding! [Help Seong Jiwon sessfullyplete the showcase! Seong Jiwon is exhausted from his long trainee life. He is very tense about the sudden good fortune that hase his way. Support Seong Jiwon 0/1 Sessfullyplete the showcase 0/1 Sess: Charm 30, Dance 10, Singing 10 Failure: Charm -50, Dance -30, Singing -30] Bnce the failure, you bastard. Hey. I offered Seong Jiwon a calming pill and water. Seong Jiwon slightly furrowed his brow. Eat it. The calming pill. How did you know I was nervous? Youve always shown it; how could I not know? It was the same during the recording. He does well in practice, but when ites to the real deal, he suddenly struggles as if he has experienced trauma. This kind of thing doesnt work for me. Just eat it. No, Im fine-! It was expensive. I threw it into Seong Jiwons mouth while he was talking. It went in smoothly. It reminded me of when I used to nurse Seo Hojin when he was sick. I quickly offered water while Seong Jiwon had a dumbfounded expression, unable to close his mouth. Unable to spit it out, Seong Jiwon reluctantly swallowed the water, casting furtive nces at me. You fed it to me in a really weird way. I have a younger sibling. If I throw it like this, like feeding a dog, they eat it. Are you saying Im a dog? I looked at Seong Jiwon while making such trivial talk. [Seong Jiwons tension is relieved!] It seemed that the medication was having some effect, as his ragged breathing began to ease, and he let out a sigh of relief. Seong Jiwon blinked. This is good. What is it? Is it the cebo effect? Thats good. Objectively, Seong Jiwon was the best among us. We needed to somehow save him so that our showcase could sessfully end. Seong Jiwon showed a weak smile as if he might copse. You really dont seem nervous. Im nervous too. What? No way. I rubbed the back of my neck. Its true. Im just trying not to show it. Haha, well, its good that you dont really seem nervous. Why are you nervous? Seong Jiwon had it all. As much as his long trainee life, he was our teams most popr and well-bnced member. Seong Jiwon hesitated, wondering whether to speak, and then sighed deeply. This is our first and possiblyst showcase. Yeah. Im scared of failing. I know its not what you want to hear at times like this. I hadnt thought that way. I just listened to Seong Jiwons words without anyint. Ive been a trainee for a long time, right? I had several opportunities, but they all ended badly. Im scared that this luck will disappear soon. I could understand. Seong Jiwon learned more from repeated failures than sesses. He was pushed back whenever he tried to take a step forward, and the door of sess was forcibly closed. Thats why Seong Jiwon was afraid to take that step. He feared thisst opportunity would close again. I knew that feeling very well. Very well. Sorry, um, I shouldnt have brought this up. Somehow, I thought youd never experienced failure, so I just blurted it out. I havent always had it smooth either. Huh? Wanna see? Before Seong Jiwon could answer, I rolled up my sleeve. Seong Jiwon looked at me in confusion. What, what are you doing? [1] The person holding the knife looks like theyre stabbing their head, hence the nickname.
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! Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Here, this. I showed him a long scar that extended from my forearm to my shoulder. It had faded over time, but upon closer inspection, the traces of the wound were still clearly visible. Some might have noticed it during practice, but none of the members had asked me about it before. This scar, its from a car ident several years ago, maybe ten years ago. At the time, I was told I might never be able to use my arm again. I worked hard on rehabilitation, and now I can use my arm just fine but back then, it was truly terrifying. No matter how hard I tried, it wouldnt move. For the first time, I confided in someone other than Seo Hojin. I wasnt sure if Seong Jiwon was an important person to me yet, but they were certainly necessary at that moment. I know that feeling well, when it seems like no matter what you do, it wont work. But through rehabilitation, I realized that opportunities are given. They might not be fair, but theyre given, and only those who are prepared can seize them. It wasnt just rehabilitation. After losing my parents, I entered society earlier than others and faced many injustices. People who grew up without hardship in wealthy families, thinking it was natural to trample on others My life was filled with disappointments, to the point where it was overwhelming. Good opportunities were always snatched by others. Even this moment, whether fair or not, was an opportunity given to us. But as always, when prepared, opportunities woulde. Even if only once. I locked eyes with Seong Jiwon. Youve prepared hard, havent you? Right? Hesitating, Seong Jiwon nodded. It meant they were ready to seize the opportunity. I lowered my rolled-up sleeve. No matter how much I tried to smooth it out, it remained wrinkled. Id probably get an earful from the stylist. I nced at Seong Jiwon, taking my eyes off the wrinkled shirt. Thats enough. Yeah. Lets stop sulking and move on. Seong Jiwon clenched his teeth and stood up. Then, he whispered softly to me. Ill do my best. [Seong Jiwon trusts you. Your rtionship with Seong Jiwon is very friendly.] Ive said too much. I was relieved that the cameras didnt capture this moment. I already regretted showing the scar and talking like an old man. It would probably be an embarrassing memoryter, but at least I had won Seong Jiwons favor. We should save this emotional story for when the cameras are rolling Haha, you havent changed. ? Havent changed? Ah, sorry. Lets just go. Seong Jiwon made a confused face after speaking. I felt a bit ufortable, but we were short on time, so I didnt ask further and returned to the waiting room. The members seemed restless, seeing that we werete and the showcase was soon to begin. Why are you guys sote? Was the bathroom that urgent? Yes, you rascals. They pretended to tease us even though they had already figured out the situation. Theyre quick on the uptake. Instead of responding, I followed the staff member guiding the members through the dark backstage. The sound from the VCR, featuring each members face, was ying. Kim Seonghyeon, like a true leader, gathered us together. Lets do our chant. Did we have a chant? Nope. Just make one up, quickly. Everyone added a word, creating amotion. Kim Seonghyeon sighed deeply and raised his hand in the middle of the gathered members. Lets just raise our hands. We need to do something like this before going on stage. Yes. Five hands came together in the air. It felt both awkward and natural for me to be a part of this. What do I mean? Dont ask me. I dont understand this feeling either. I could see the faces of the members, looking nervous or smiling uneasily. Kim Seonghyeon hesitated before speaking. Weve worked really hard for a month Lets keep working hard for the next month too. Woo! That was so weak! Letse up with a cooler chant! Ah, lets just do our best. Yeah, lets do well. Lets rock the stage. Kim Seonghyeon said with enthusiasm. Aja aja, fighting! Everyoneughed and teased each other over the improvised chant, which helped relieve the tension. I was d to see everyone more rxed. As we walked onto the dark stage, cheers erupted. In the darkness, I locked eyes with Seong Jiwon. He silently mouthed something. Fighting. Even though he was the most nervous, Seong Jiwon encouraged me. It was hard to tell who was supporting whom at this point. Nheless, I felt a sense of aplishment for using my points on an energy drink. I grinned but quicklyposed my face as the music started. As the song began, the fans cheers grew louder. At the same time, we heard their voices chanting. Kim Seonghyeon, Seong Jiwon, Seo Hoyun, Kang Ichae, Jeong Dajun! Is this a fan chant? The fans were shouting their fan chant from below. We were all surprised, as it was unexpected. More, Second Chance! As the fan chant ended, I picked up the microphone and harmonized with Seong Jiwon. Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance We would have a second chance. Seong Jiwon opened his eyes and flicked his head. His gentle gaze was gone, reced by a stage-ready look. His expression shifted to confusion, then determination as he raised his right hand to cover and reveal his face. I cant miss this chance. As expected, Seong Jiwon. Seong Jiwon gestured to the camera, and I, who had been waiting behind, raised my head and walked toward the front of the stage. Kang Ichae and Kim Seonghyeon crossed their arms, pretending to spread and flip cards while singing. Im an idol, an idol, an idol I felt confident covering up with gestures like this. Oh, pick a card, the future bes clearer, Dont worry about the low chances, theres no need. Waaaaah! Honestly, I was surprised. If I had practiced just a bit less, my expression might have faltered for a moment. I twisted my head expressionlessly, picked up a card, and offered a sly smile. Its okay, Ill lead you. Cheers erupted towards me. Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun stepped forward and harmonized as I moved back after my part. Come to me,e to me, Dont be afraid,e to me, I have my second chance. Kim Seonghyeon danced wildly to the chorus. Behind him, I caught a glimpse of fans waving their slogans. Say it once more, its the beginning for us, I wille back every time, Dont be afraid of this strange feeling, No need to worry, Ill lead you. I locked eyes with Kang Ichae, who was waiting in the back. He yfully scrunched his nose with an excited face as if everything would go well. Then, as Jeong Dajun bent down, Kang Ichae stepped on him, lifted off, spun around, andnded. Stand up with the target, I have confidence, I wont miss this cold sensation. I can see your face even when I close my eyes, I aint gonna miss this time. He was practically flying. Kang Ichae instantly took control of the stage. As the main rapper, his precise diction and overflowing confidence poured out on stage. Nobody could stop the fearless and passionate Kang Ichae. When he disyed a gunshot-like dance move, some fans staggered as if they were shot. I couldnt help but let out a littleugh. Say it once more, its the beginning for us, I wille back every time, Dont be afraid of this strange feeling, No need to worry, Ill lead you. Everything we practiced until we were sick over the past few weeks poured out on this stage. Maybe it was even better than we thought. Sweat streamed down everyones faces. A good song, a decent n, controversy-driven buzz, passionate members, and fans. Just this once, at least in this life, I must. I looked at the audience. The wildly waving slogans and the blind, strong faith in us. Perhaps I had underestimated this job. I locked eyes with Seong Jiwon on the opposite side of the stage. I felt my breath catch in my throat. A feeling came over me. We can do this well. I will save you (save you). I belted out the high note. Seong Jiwon solidly backed me up with the chorus. At the same time, we all turned our bodies to the beat and returned to the first formation. Then, slowly swaying like the wind, we moved our bodies left and right. Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance, Give you, Give you, Give you Second Chance. Kim Seonghyeon aimed a gun gesture at Seong Jiwon standing at the center. As Seong Jiwon fell to the ground and his shaky movement stopped, the formation dissolved, and I slowly stood up alone. Second Chance. The beat ended with a whisper-like phrase. We all held our breaths until the stage lights dimmed. A brief silence was soon reced by a waterfall of screams. It was unbelievably loud. A blind affection I never thought Id have in my life poured out. We stood up and bowed deeply to our fans. As I lowered my head, unable to exin the strange emotions that threatened to burst my heart, I felt a hand patting my shoulder and back. Jeong Dajun, with an expression of pride as if he were about to go crazy, and Kim Seonghyeon with a face of relief for passing the first hurdle. Beside the grateful Seong Jiwon, Kang Ichae smiled broadly. *** Wow, you guys were amazing. Its been a while since Ive seen a team dance so intensely. Right, everyone? As the members cooled off and drank water, the staff quickly set up chairs on the stage. Once everything was ready, the MC went on stage and opened the showcase with praise. The audience responded enthusiastically. Now, lets have each of you introduce yourselves. I happened to be the first to pick up the microphone as I was sitting closest to the MC. Hello Aaahhh! Our bunny is so handsome! Bunny?? Cheers erupted after just one word. The cheers were louder than my voice on the microphone. I was momentarily flustered and forgot what to say next, so the MC quickly filled the gap with a joke. Who gave that person a microphone? Ive never been so caught off guard by someones reaction, but today it happened multiple times. Bun Maybe I misheard. I gathered my thoughts and continued the conversation. Um Hello, Im Seo Hoyun, the sub-vocalist of The Dawn. Thank you so much foring today. After finishing my greeting, I passed the microphone to the next member. Everyone took turns introducing themselves, and each time, the fans cheers left us all flustered. After all, wed never been this popr before. Theres so much to ask you today. The Dawn is the talk of the town right now, isnt it? The MC carried on with the program smoothly. First, lets hear about the long hiatus and the process of Hoyun joining the group. I was prepared for this question. It would be better if someone besides me answered it, as it would paint a more ttering picture. Seong Jiwon immediately picked up the microphone. Yes, Hoyun was originally part of the debut members, but he took a break due to health issues and has resumed activities starting with this single. I heard he came back with a lot of enthusiasm, right? That wasnt in the script. Did what I said earlier spread that quickly? The words about satisfying my parents by merely seeing and hearing me I had said all sorts of provocative things. I couldnt help but break into a cold sweat as the interview took an unexpected turn. Seo Hoyun, could you say a few words? The MC looked at me and smiled mischievously.
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! Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Haha, Hoyun always brims with energy, doesnt he? Thank you, Seong Jiwon! 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. Whats going on? This is so unexpected. 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. Whats going on? 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 could it be? 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. I guess I wont have to file for bankruptcy. 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. Ah, these fools 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 The fans are quite resilient, huh? 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. Is this the reward for the first stage? Are there more rewards toe?
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! Chapter 22 Chapter 22 The Unknown Idol Tycoon was doing their best to prevent spoilers ^^ Sigh Hoyun, weve arrived. Ah, yes. I got out of the car and followed my manager into thepany building, which was still old and worn whether we were having a showcase or topping the charts. My manager kept talking to me. Dont worry too much. Youre just meeting the CEO. I dont think its going to be bad news. My manager continued to worry about me. This person, at a nce, seemed quite gentle. Your chart performance was sooooo good this time. Maybe hes going to give you a big push? However, he was a bit too optimistic. I chuckled and followed my manager into the CEOs office. The CEO was on the phone with someone, but when he made eye contact, he greeted me with a broad smile as if seeing rolling-in money. Is this what it feels like to be hated by your own kind? Ah, Hoyun, youre here. Hello, CEO. Hold on, I have to take this call. Ah, yes, yes. Sorry about that. Seo Hoyun just came in. He was smiling too broadly, even selling my name like that Feeling oddly ufortable, I subtly nced around. Could it be a casting offer? My manager sat next to me, nervously shaking his leg. H-H-Hoyun, would you like some water? Manager, please calm down. Maybe my manager was more worried than me. After a moment, the CEO finished their call, repeatedly saying yes, yes, and then looked at me warmly. Our Hoyun, was your trip here difficult? Our Hoyun? Thanks for your consideration, CEO. It was fine. My manager took great care of me. Hahaha! Youre still good with words. I subtly praised my manager before the CEO to calm him down. The CEO, seemingly in a great mood, chuckled and sank into the sofa across from us. I heard you made it onto the charts. Yes, I was lucky. You guys really hit the jackpot this time. You caught a criminal, the song was great, and the nning was decent too You even made it onto the charts. Among all of you, Hoyun, you were the best. Hahaha. Get to the point quickly. Theyughed mechanically. Dont even think about the penalty now. Yes, thankfully. Even though he was being praised openly, a suspicion came first. You know, life didnt usually flow that smoothly. The CEO and I hid our true feelings and continued the conversation with smiles. Mr. CEO, do you have any good news today? Oh, is it that obvious? Yes. Quite a lot. To be honest, the manager was sweating profusely, but the CEO justughed heartily. I have two pieces of news for you. It would have been better to gather all the members, but Neither of them should be bad news. First, your dorms have been arranged. My face darkened. The kids debuted a year ago, and this should have been taken care of back then. No more struggling withing and going. Especially for Ichae, who had difficulty living alone because his house was far away I was really concerned. You probably didnt care. Considering Dajun is a minor We put a lot of thought into arranging the dorms. Hey, you didnt care at all. Thats really great news. Thank you for your consideration. I responded automatically. As the image of Jeong Dajun struggling with a swollen ankle came to mind, the CEOs beaming smile seemed even more irritating. However, it wasnt hard to understand. They probably didnt have the money to provide a dorm for the group. At the same time, weve discussed with the nning team and decided to film the BTS of the amodation and upload it to YouTube. You can move into the dorms starting today. Wow, Hoyun, this is amazing! The manager pped in excitement. At the same time, my expression remained neutral. No, actually, I felt more disappointed. I thought it would be a casting opportunity. Yes, understood. Ill let the other members know as well. Great, I appreciate it. Its reassuring to have you, Hoyun. Was that all? Anyway, the BTS of the music video would be released bit by bit, so it didnt matter. The nning team worked hard, but the CEO made it sound like he took care of it all himself. Well, it wasnt a bad idea. I shrugged my shoulders and asked a question. Is that everything? Oh, Hoyun, you shouldnt be so impatient. The CEO grinned and tapped on his phone. You guys got an offer for a variety show. A variety show?! The manager spilled water all over. The scene was reminiscent of a meme where someone spills orange juice. Ah, uh, Im sorry. Manager, here. Our kids are already on a variety show? The managers eyes brimmed with tears, and I quickly grabbed some tissues from the table and tossed them his way. Th-thank you, Hoyun. Yes. The manager sobbed, but my interest shifted entirely to the CEO. What kind of variety show is it? Weekly Star, something like that would be fine. We could at least create a few memes from it. Variety shows, where many stars have the chance to shine. The godly realm where even unknown people suddenly rise to fame. Thats why I was also in the variety department. Weekly Star? Or behind-the-scenes filming? Considering The Dawns level of recognition, it wouldnt be a majorwork; it would probably be a cable broadcast Whats popr on cable these days? As I racked my brain, the CEO spoke with a smile. Its a survivalpetition show called Shining Star, to be exact. A survivalpetition? I slowly clenched my fist. The CEO nodded. You know the PD named Jeong Moonseon, right? The one who was famous for auditionpetition shows. Its a program that person was working on, but they left for another variety show, so theyre looking for a new PD. Still, it should have decent recognition. You know, like those programs where they select debut members from trainees. It seems simr, gathering average boy groups and making thempete. The winner gets their own variety show and can participate in the next majorpetition. Wow I must have been living a virtuous life. God was giving me such opportunities. As I tried to suppress my delighted expression and maintain a stern face, the CEO nced at me, worried I might refuse the offer. Why are you worried about it? CEO, wouldnt it be a bit difficult for The Dawn to participate in such a show? Last time, half of the idol group that went on a simr program had their image ruined. Ah, Im actually a bit concerned. That cable channel is somewhat malicious. Its beyond malicious! Theyre notorious for their devilish editing! They prioritize idols from big entertainmentpanies and ruin the images of others. Some groups even disbanded because manipted clipspletely destroyed their reputation! Hmm, I think its a good opportunity to raise recognition. But, in the long run, it could be harmful. The manager and the CEO had a heated discussion, going back and forth. As negative opinions seemed to dominate, the CEO stroked his chin and looked at me. So, what do you want to do, Hoyun? Ill respect your opinion if you dont want to do it. No. I slowly nodded my head. Devilish editing? Image-making? I want to do it. Why should I worry about that? As I shed an innocent smile, the CEO and the manager were taken aback. ns were already forming in my head. I really, really, really want to do it. Ill convince the members for sure. Please let us participate in Shining Star. Uh A-Are you sure? Its the first time Ive seen Hoyun ask for something like this Well pass on your positive response for now. Well also inform the nning team and the manager. Make sure to confirm with the members, too. Yes. Go and rest. Youve worked hard today. I bowed my head and left. Inside my head, I was building scenarios. *** Oh~ Pick a card. The future bes clearer~! Youre annoying. I was packing some essentials from home to live in the dorm. After packing, I was about to head to the dorm when Seo Hojins teasing got on my nerves, so I smacked his head. With a loud thump, Seo Hojin whined in pain. I continued to give endless advice to Seo Hojin even as I dragged my suitcase to the entrance. Turn off the gas and air conditioner properly if youre not using them. Dont just order delivery. Cook something as well. Nagging is Are you not going to listen to me? Seo Hojin grinned despite my threats. Hes gotten a bit cockytely. He was proud when I first debuted as an idol, but now it seemed amusing to him. Hyung, youve gotten popr, huh? One of my friends has you as their profile picture. They said youre handsome. Really? So, now I cant send messages to them. I might forget and think I was chatting with you. Its scary. Seo Hojinughed. I looked at my pathetic little brother and gave him one piece of advice. Dont mention that Im your brother unless its necessary. It just gets annoying. Ill do as you say. I always did that. When I was a PD, I told Seo Hojin to hide the fact that I was his brother when my face became known. People would always start arguments because they thought I had done something wrong (although I didnt think I had). It was especially true when my brother was in middle or high school. It would be even more severe now that I was an idol. Hyung, take care. Live well in the dorm. Alright, you fool. Dont worry about the low chances, theres no need. Its okay, Ill lead you, so dont be anxious, tada! My face soured. Seo Hojin held backughter, excited to tease me after a long time. I pouted with my arms crossed. Im leaving. Yep, the genius idol is now departing~! Arent you going to cry? Huh? Are you going to cry? Are you? This time, it was Seo Hojin whose expression soured. When I mentioned his crying in the hospital after I copsed, he remembered his embarrassing past and touched his head. I chuckled and left. Dont wet the bed without me~. Just get out of here. As expected, teasing a younger sibling had its charms. Im leaving now~. Go! I smiled contentedly as I looked at the mmed door and adjusted my hat. I was heading toward the dorm address by bus or subway when a song yed on the street. Say it once more, its the beginning for us. Oh?! Thats our song. I suddenly stopped and looked at the shop. They seemed to be ying the top 100 songs from a music site. Hearing our song on the street meant one thing we were still on the charts. A smile spread across my lips. It felt good. Why are you like that? Oh Its you! Do I look like a chart-topping singer? Hmph Your face is so bright that I cant see it! Until these guys stop their nonsense, that is.
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! Chapter 23 Chapter 23 In front of the dorm, Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae were excitedly waiting for all the members to gather before entering together. The youngest nner and the manager were also present. It was Lee Jihyeon, right? Thats the name, wasnt it? With a quick bow, they both greeted and approached us. Hey, move aside. Dont be a nuisance. With two guys blocking the already narrow entrance, passing was impossible. This startled Kang Ichae. Hey, thats my spot?! I Im sorry! Hey, stop taking photos and move out of the way already! These kids Whats with their mentality? Should I say it was good or what? I was worried they might struggle with hatements online because of their sudden poprity, but it was just a baseless concern. Amidst their yful banter,ughter was already starting to erupt among the manager and production staff. Ouch! That hurts! Stop it, you brats. While I was scolding the two, Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon appeared. What were you guys doing? They probably did something to deserve it Seong Jiwon looked at us curiously, while Kim Seonghyeon seemed to grasp the members personalities well. I casually greeted them and then looked at the sketchbook hastily filled by the youngest nner, Lee Jihyeon. [Please react as you enter the lodging!] Okay. Everyone dragged their suitcases, their faces full of excitement. Kang Ichae pressed the secret code they just learned and yed the background music. Ta-da! Ta-da? So, what does The Dawns dorm look like? Its shocking. As someone who naturally thought of the song by Loveholic,[1] I felt both familiar and unfamiliar when I heard the Netflix starting sound. Meanwhile, Kang Ichae yfully opened the door to reveal the dorm. With two rooms and a living area, it was a bit cramped but enough for about five people to live in. There was only one bathroom, which would likely cause a morning rush, but that was manageable. Since were filming BTS, the camera was essential. Where were they mounted? I scanned the room with eagle eyes. One on a teddy bear, another on the TV stand, and two beside the sofa Theyve set it up better than I expected. Just as I was about to give a moderate reaction, Kang Ichae excitedly rushed toward the sofa, struck a pose, and recited his line. Why are you like that? Do I look like a guy who owns a ce? Its dazzling! Its totally fine?! ? Even Seong Jiwon entered the living room with a fluttering face. Why are they so excited? Uh, um? As I looked at Kim Seonghyeon while speaking, I realized he was no different. With a flushed face, he was busy looking around. A feeling of pity surged inside me. You guys really havent been treated well at thepany Even I, known as a ruthless PD, could see that the situation for these rookie idols was truly dire. Perhaps its just our agency thats particrly like that. I ced my suitcase in the corner of the living room with a bitter face. The nning team focused on filming Kang Ichae with their cameras. The big room was for Jeong Dajun, Seong Jiwon, and Kim Seonghyeon. The small room was for Kang Ichae and me. As our eyes met, heughed. It was unsettling. The youngest nner, Lee Jihyeon, caught my eye and gave a subtle nod. Everyone, do you like the dorm? Yes! Im d. Dont worry because the cameras wont always be rolling. Well only film when theres content, and ourpany will do all editing, so dont worry. I was worried. Today, well film unpacking your suitcases, deciding on roommates, and reacting to the music video. Just a quick monitoring will do for the behind-the-scenes of the music video. Lee Jihyeon flipped through the sketchbook several times. Everyone obediently answered and gathered their suitcases, which had been piled in a corner. Filming the suitcases? Whats so fun about filming suitcases? It might be fun for the fans. They were curious about everything rted to idols, even their meals. Still, I was worried since there wouldnt be much content. And precisely one minuteter, my worry crumbled. Puhahaha! Hyung, whats this? A red ginseng set and ginseng extract The first batter, Seong Jiwon. Half of his suitcase was filled with red ginseng. Seong Jiwonughed sheepishly. Hyung, why do you have so many red ginseng sets in your suitcase? My grandma gave them to me. She said we should all have some. Your grandma is truly thoughtful Ooooh~ Ichae-hyung, thats too much~. No, thats not what I meant. Kang Ichae, who had been joking around, hastily tried to exin himself. I seized the opportunity and discreetly approached Seong Jiwon. Can I have one? Oh, of course. I quickly tore open the ginseng extract Seong Jiwon handed me and diligently sucked it dry. His grandmother was really wise I used to stockpile boxes of this stuff and have one every morning during my PD days. Seong Jiwon carefully repacked his suitcase. Next batter. Me! Alright, Dajun. Go ahead and unpack. Jeong Dajun energetically opened his suitcase. Its nothing but snacks. All you need are snacks! Just kick him out. Seong Jiwon was a gentleman. Next up was Kang Ichae. Ta-da! Games! Aptop, mouse, yStation 5, Switch It was all games. Kim Seonghyeon immediately closed the suitcase. Throw it away. Why would you do that?! Practice instead of ying those. I agree. No, my babies As even Seong Jiwon joined in, Kang Ichae hugged his precious suitcase protectively. Next up, Hoyun. Okay. Ignoring them, I opened my suitcase. It was ordinary andcked impact, so I figured it would be edited out anyway. But then, there was silence. Hyung, whats up with your clothes? What? The members had been staring at my suitcase and whispering to each other. Did you see his suitcase? Its all ck. I thought it was a ck hole. I shouldve noticed since he always wears ck clothes I know, right? Hes always in head-to-toe shadow fashion. Hoyun-hyung, what kind of idol does that Even Jeong Dajun criticized me. I frowned. I dont think Ive ever been criticized for my fashion before. What? ck is pretty. Next up! Seonghyeon-hyung! My opinion was quickly dismissed, and thest batter, Kim Seonghyeon, sighed deeply before opening his suitcase. And quite literally he was like Doraemon. This is for Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun. I knew they wouldnt bring clothes. Seong Jiwon, you get a portable steamer. I wanted that! Seo Hoyun, you get vitamins. Somehow, I ended up with the most items. Feeling flustered, I asked him as I watched an endless supply of vitamins pour out. Why do I get vitamins? Hyung, you copsedst time. That was because of the system window. Right, Hoyun-hyung is secretly frail. Exactly. Hoyun, you need to take better care of yourself. No, that was because of the system window! But I couldnt say it, so I kept my mouth shut. Obviously, I would be treated like a madman if I mentioned it. Kim Seonghyeon proudly closed his suitcase after giving everyone the necessary items. I hoped this would get edited out. We already watched our music video countless times but doing it together on the sofa in our dorm felt different. However, the problem was these pesky maknaes. Im sorry. Ta-da! Enough, guys Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun shared augh as they yfully picked on Seong Jiwon, who was sprawled on the sofa and appeared to be in agony. Since Seong Jiwon was the main character in the music video, they found it easier to tease him. Ichae, you look so cool! Like Hollywood. Yeah, I rejected a casting offerst time. Ichae, sometimes I envy your shamelessness. Thats my charm. Seong Jiwon tried a weak counterattack, but it didnt affect the mentally strong Ichae. Seong Jiwon was already clenching his fists. I wondered if Seong Jiwon would ever punch Ichae. Hoyun-hyung is really good at shuffling cards. Hyung, are you a card shark? Stop it Are you trying to cheat? Hahaha! As I yed along with them, the kids went wild with excitement. The BTS video was edited as I suggested, like that of the show Screening Humanity.[2] The rainbow-colored cursive font spelling A Day in the Life of an Idol with an Extreme Job was quite satisfying. [Today, Kim Seonghyeon goes to the practice room again.
  1. What do you think about while practicing?
  2. (Kim Seonghyeon) What do I think about? I just do it]
The BTS video was a mix of various memes circting on the inte. The more serious the members appeared, the funnier it was. The highlight was when Joo Woosung made an appearance. [Joo Woosung: Hello~. Members: (dumbfounded) Why are you here, hyung? Seo Hoyun: (calmly) Lets practice.] I was really surprised back then. Hes a celebrity among celebrities. Joo Woosung was just a guy distracted by love. Clicking my tongue, I focused on the video. Before I knew it, the BTS footage led to the music video. [Today, The Dawn takes their shooting seriously. Suddenly, Ichae gets up. Kang Ichae: Hyung! How tall is a monkey?! Kim Seonghyeon: (with a resigned face) About 121cm? Seo Hoyun: (hearing the answer) Vague[3].] I got goosebumps Hyung ordered that. Everyoneughedfortably, knowing that the video wouldnt include their reactions. The nning team seemed quite satisfied with how the shoot went. Good job, everyone! We have a music show filming starting early tomorrow, so get some rest. While greeting the manager and the nning team, I made eye contact with the teams youngest member. I gave a natural business smile, and Jihyeon flinched. Ms. Jihyeon. Yes, yes. Mr. Hoyun. Thank you. We got great results thanks to your excellent nning. Jihyeon scratched the back of her head nervously, her face saying, Why is he talking to me? Jihyeon, being new to thepany, didnt understand why I was talking to her and not the team leader. No, not at all. You guys matched so well that it was more rewarding for us. But why was I approaching Jihyeon? Obviously, I wasying the groundwork. Great nning, especially inpetition programs, was crucial. Despite her wariness at my sudden move, Jihyeon obediently answered. Could I ask you for advice on nning in the future? Yes? You know this stuff well, Ms. Jihyeon. All right, then. Jihyeon clenched her fists. I waited. Promotion? Bonus? Will she ask for more? Although it was not within my authority, I was prepared to do my best to persuade the CEO or team leader. Can I pour out all the settings I want?! Yes, sure. My response came half a beatte. Maybe I was being too realistic. Kyaa! Thank you! I love how my thought-out settings move in 3D, no, 4D! Ive been thinking about a sequel to this apocalypse concept, and how it would connect is. Ah, Im a bit busy right now. I quickly cut her off. I didnt n on listening to a stan talk all day. Jihyeon looked disappointed as she said goodbye and walked away with a flushed face. Well, it worked out. This should be enough for now. I looked back. Ah, Im exhausted, so exhausted. Should we grill some pork belly? Lets practice. Practice bug Lets practice. Yes, understood. The rest was up to us. Ignoring Kang Ichae, who was mumbling nonsense about being an idol forever, the diligent Seong Jiwon was preparing his practice clothes. I wanted to see the stats of Seong Jiwon, who had the best bnce among us. Seong Jiwons stats. [Opening Seong Jiwons stats.] [Singing: A0 Dancing: A- Variety: C- ???: ??? ??: ?? Charm: B-] Wow, what were these stats for Seong Jiwon? What did singing A0 mean? And whats with the A- for dancing? I knew he was talented, but seeing it like this was shocking. Training really paid off. Variety and charm woulde naturally as he gained more broadcast experience. Hey, you must have been born to be an idol. Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden? Thats you, Hoyun. My goodness, hes even humble Seong Jiwon frowned and smiled. I gestured for Seong Jiwon toe forward as our tank. Seong Jiwon,e here for a second. You guys too. Huh? Oh, okay. There was something important to tell them. Kim Seonghyeon stopped organizing his carrier and sat down in the living room. Whats up, hyung? Is the camera off? Yeah, they took it away. Good. What is it? Why are you setting the atmosphere like this? Its scary. Its important. I remembered the warning I gave them on our first day in the practice room. They all seemed to remember that day clearly, swallowing nervously. I slowly looked at each members face. We got an offer to appear on a variety show. Everyones jaws dropped. Really? It wont be funny if youre lying, hyung. You dont trust me? Every single one of them had a face filled with disbelief. Im hurt Lets get to the point. Even pretending to be hurt didnt work on the members. Seong Jiwon looked at me nervously. We got an offer for apetition show. The CEO said its a program on cable where wepete with other idol groups to win first ce. Really? For us? Everyones eyes widened in surprise. Then, Jeong Dajun bounced with excitement. As I exined in detail, some members became excited, while others had worried expressions. Kim Seonghyeon thought for a moment. If we rush into it, it could be a negative experience. True, the criticism can be harsh. There have been idols who went on simr shows and only ended up ruining their image. Some even disbanded as a result Its not a situation where we can just think positively, huh? Its either a huge sess or a huge failure? Either way, well be on fire on the inte. Kang Ichae shrugged his shoulders. Everyones faces grew even more somber at his words. These people, who had yet to taste sess, were already consumed by negative thoughts; thats just how it was. What should I do about this? Should I try giving them a bit of shock therapy likest time? Hmm As I pondered what to say this time, Seong Jiwon suddenly turned his head. Hoyun, what do you want to do? At Seong Jiwons cautious question, the members gazes naturally fixed on me. Of course My answer was already determined. Well face the criticism if we have to. This was precisely the time to jump into the fire. [1] It is likely that Seo Hoyun was referring to Loveholics Butterfly (), a popr bad from the early 2000s. The song includes the lyrics which can be tranted as In that house fluttering in the wind. The song has been featured in various Korean dramas and movies. [2] Screening Humanity is a long-running KBS documentary program that explores ordinary peoples everyday lives and struggles. [3] The joke is a pun that ys with the simrity between monkey and the Korean word (Mong-key). The punchline, (Mong-key), is a y on words, as it can be interpreted as monkey or as a Korean word blurry or vague.
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! Chapter 24 Chapter 24 I was in no position to be picky about cold or hot water. Were still rookies. Speaking candidly, everyones shoulders slumped. It was great to be on the charts, but we had to continue this momentum. To break free from the rookie title, we need to firmly establish our reputation, even if it means wearing out our image a bit. Hmm Lets join this program. Everyone wore a contemtive expression. Amidst this, Kang Ichae casually answered while chewing on a dried squid. Im up for it. This was easy. I like it too. I want to treat it as ourst chance. Seong Jiwon gave a push to the momentum. The determination in his eyes was zing. Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun nced at the other members and nodded. Lets do it. Ill follow you guys. Okay. The atmosphere was graduallying together. As the situation neared its conclusion, I slowly found the right time to speak. Listen to this. There are three crucial rules to make it big, including through apetition program. What are they? Although they debuted a year ago, it was evident they were still nave rookies who didnt know the broadcasting ecosystem. I raised a finger. First. Yes. Dont trust everyone at the broadcasting station. Excuse me? Theyre all cunning foxes, harboring snakes inside. Are you introducing yourself? I ignored that. Dont give them any reason to hold something against you. Be suspicious of everyone, no matter how friendly they seem. Especially with idols, actors, rted personnel, and staff who might get involved in a scandal dont even let your fingertips touch them. Okay? Everyone chuckled awkwardly. Did you set the mood just to say that? Ourpany doesnt prohibit dating, right? If you want to date, dont be an idol. Wow, okay. Everyone seemed a bit taken aback. But I wasnt joking. For idols, a dating scandal could be fatal. It was even more critical for rising groups to be careful. I didnt threaten Joo Woosung with his dating history for no reason. If you receive a note with a phone number, hand it to the manager. Dont even unfold it. Hand over the note? The only thing you guys can open is fan letters. We cant even open them? I sighed. Jeong Dajun, I quit smoking to be an idol. Cant you quit dating? After siping the red ginseng juice Seong Jiwon handed me, I grabbed Jeong Dajuns arms and shook him. What does dating have to do with the harmfulness of smoking? A hard-hitting remark. Both quitting smoking and abstaining from dating involves self-control. Everyone had a what do you want us to do? expression, but I was serious. Non-smokers wouldnt understand this pain. Thats when Kang Ichae spoke to me. Hyung Do you know this? What? I entered the entertainment industry with the mindset of already being a monk. Excellent. Everyone should follow Kang Ichaes example. Haha, Id like to dedicate this honor to my hamster at home. You dont have a hamster. Its my imaginary friend. As I pped for Kang Ichae, he scratched his head shyly. The expressions of the other members soured, though. We got the first rule. Anyway, no one in our group is dating right now. Yes. Its fine. Jeong Dajun nodded his head. Good, it seemed everyone understood well. Since you all seem to understand, lets move on to the second rule. Be careful with your words. Always keep your mouth zipped, both in general and especially at the broadcasting station. Regardless of whether the camera is rolling or not. Hmm isnt that a bit extreme? Seong Jiwon still didnt know much about broadcasting stations. Broadcasting stations arent just filled with staff, but also part-time workers who are ordinary people. And among the staff, theres no one you can trust. So be careful with your words around anyone who isnt part of our group. Especially gossip. If it gets recorded and leaked, theres noing back from that. Remember the male idol who trash-talked his senior and had his conversation leaked a couple of years ago? Everyones faces turned pale, so they must have known the story. Good, this should be okay as well. Now,stly This was the most important one. No matter what happens, trust me. In fact, the first two rules were meant as a setup to say this. Everyoneughed at that, thinking it was a joke. Of course, we trust Hoyun. Absolutely, youre a genius idol, after all. But I didntugh. The other members jokingly patted each others shoulders and moved on. It seemed a bit early to bring this up. Regardless, it didnt matter. Eventually, when something happenster, everyone will understand. *** Hello! We are The Dawn! Oh, right. Hi. The male idol in his third year since debut casually greeted us while looking at his phone. We kept our smiles as we handed out our promotional albums. Ah, that guy I remembered him. He was infamous for being extremely arrogant, and the guy next to him used to cling to me, calling me PD-nim, PD-nim. The Dawn? Whats that? Thats our group name. You mean like deodeok?[1] It was infuriating to introduce ourselves as rookies to guys like them. Especially when they tried to act cool and belittled us with their words. Nevertheless, everyone bravely greeted them. Kang Ichae, in particr, seemed unfazed. Ah, I see. Haha Well, good luck with that. Although their words seemed like encouragement, the mockery within them was apparent. Everyone responded calmly, perhaps used to being treated this way. Yes, thank you. As we continued to greet people, a few notes were exchanged, as expected. Some were openly flirting within the broadcasting station, which was definitely not a wise move. The highlight of all these situations was when a group of 5-year debut veterans passed by. Hello! For some reason, one of them seemed to be looking too much at Kim Seonghyeon and then, with a smile, casually handed him a note. The manager narrowed his eyes at this. Although they tried not to show it, I also received a note in my pocket. When I looked up, the person winked at me. For now, I smiled and bowed my head, but as they moved away, I turned to the manager and handed over the note. Manager, here you go. Ah, me too. Surprisingly, Kim Seonghyeon obediently handed over the note first. It was a relief that he was sincere about being an idol. The manager looked flustered but took the papers diligently. Hey, why have you guys be so popr? I guess we look good because of a brief moment of fame. I dont think thats the only reason. We also made it onto the charts. However, we hadnt really skyrocketed to fame yet. If we were truly famous, the broadcasting station staff would have gone to great lengths to talk to us for even a minute or a second. Wow that senior just now! I really like them! Do you want to quit being an idol? Huh?? Thats not what I meant Yes, sorry! As the members murmured, I cut them off with a singlement. Honestly, I had no interest in their preferences, nor my own. When young men and women, especially those known for their looks, gathered, it was natural for rtionships to form, and dating wasnt a crime. However, for idols, it was. Im sorry, but I want to be sessful. For idols, especially rookies, dating was fatal, and if caught, it would turn into poison. Established groups could somehow form a support shield, but rookies would just sink to the bottom. If caught its really the end. Kim Seonghyeon didnt seem particrly bothered and simply shrugged his shoulders. However, as we walked, I felt an ufortable gaze from behind. A male idol who ignored us earlier red intensely at Kim Seonghyeon. Why was that guy acting like that? I subtly turned my body, shielding Kim Seonghyeon from view, and decided to check on the situationter. We entered the waiting room where other groups gathered and took pictures. Hey, when are we going on? As you know We still have three hours left? Weve been waiting for two hours already Waiting. Lets practice. Waiting. Should we practice more? Might as well. Waiting. Im hungry I heard that there tended to be a lot of waiting when recording an idol music program, but since I wasnt an expert in this field, I hadnt fully grasped the extent of it. At least there was plenty of time for practice. I nced at my quest window. [Complete a week of music programs! The Dawn is finally stepping out of the music scene just a bit. Increase your poprity by appearing on music programs! If you sessfully appear on 5 music programs: Charm +30, Dance +20, Singing +10, 1,000 points] Well, this wasnt too bad. The system seemed to be taking it easy this time. I discarded the ominous thought that it was the calm before the storm. As I watched Kim Seonghyeon teach the dance steps thoroughly, a staff member opened the door and shouted at us. The Dawn, please get ready to perform. Yes, got it! Their faces were just as tired as ours. It seemed they only nned to do a quick check for the first rehearsal. Lets do well today. Of course. Fighting! Ah, hyung! Whats up? Jeong Dajun replied energetically with a lively face. Unlike his initial sullen and downcast expression, his face was now full of confidence. Hello! Nice to meet you! We greeted everyone we encountered on stage, and as we climbed onto the stage, we could see fansing in for the pre-recording. Counting the number of fans, there were about twenty-five. Thats more people than I expected. After checking the nametag on my uniform, I tidied up my microphone cord. Jeong Dajun waved at the fans, bouncing around cheerfully. Hello, we are The Dawn. Nice to meet you. Kim Seonghyeon bowed slightly to the fans while greeting the staff. I hesitated and then gave a slight wave, which was met with a response. Hoyun! You look handsome today too! Honestly, I felt a bit guilty. We had been sitting in a cramped waiting room, but those fans had likely been standing the whole time. I was afraid to say something that could be taken the wrong way and tried to step down without saying much, but somehow, ament slipped out. Um, did you all eat? That was my first remark. I could havee up with something better. I slightly regretted it, but the fans quickly responded. Is food important right now?! I got picked for the audience!! Pffft. A sly grin escaped my lips. Still, make sure to eat well. Its all about staying alive, after all. So caring unfamiliar I smell the scent of a stranger Did Hoyun just flip his personality? As Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae looked startled,ughter erupted among the fans. Seong Jiwonughed in agreement. As Hoyun said, please take good care of yourselves and eat well. Well do the same. With the rehearsal preparations done, the staff signaled for us to get ready, and Kim Seonghyeon bowed again toward the fans. We couldnt ck off during the rehearsal for the fans who had been suffering since dawn. Dont be afraid of this strange feeling. Holding ourposure, we gave it our all as if it were the real performance. I couldnt even tell how I looked at the camera or if I danced properly. After the rehearsal, we heard we had to prepare for the pre-recording next. The fans had gone through so much for this short rehearsal, but seeing their faces strangely made it all okay. Would I see them again? Kim Seonghyeon quietly said something to me as we bowed and stepped down. Youre a natural. What are you talking about? Well, I was a bit worried, but there was no need. What did he mean? I wish Kim Seonghyeon would be clearer with his meaning when speaking. He just smiled and walked away. We were about to return to prepare for the next pre-recording. Hey, Seong Jiwon. It was a new voice. The guy who had been ring at Kim Seonghyeon earlier. Approaching with his blond-dyed hair, he smiled brightly at Seong Jiwon. Feeling relieved? Now that youve gained some poprity, you dont even greet your seniors? Seong Jiwons previously gentle expression hardened. [1] Its another y on words. The Dawn ( ) sounds simr to deodeok ().
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! Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Wow, totally busted, Seong Jiwon? Who who was he? Kim Seonghyeon seemed to know something as he frowned, but Seong Jiwon just greeted him calmly. Hello, Yu Hyeok-sunbae. Hahaha, just kidding, buddy! Whats with that disgusting look? The man called Yu Hyeok put his arm around Seong Jiwons shoulder. Ah, now he seemed familiar. Today, a boy group that debuted three years ago. They were quite popr because they came from arge agency and even won first ce a few times. Speaking of which, was their agency D.go? It was therge entertainmentpany Seong Jiwon used to belong to. No matter how much earlier I debuted, weve been eating from the same pot for years. I just wanted to talk to you because its been a while, and Ive heard good things about youtely. Thanks. It seemed the two practiced together in the past. Im really d things turned out well. My heart ached when your debut got canceled. I worried that maybe you were pushed out because of me like I stole your spot. Me? Im happy to see things working out for you, even if itste. But this guy, he was subtly jabbing at Seong Jiwon. I hope things continue to go well. Well its a game with a predetermined oue anyway. A predetermined oue? Before I could even deduce what he meant, Yu Hyeok nced at Kim Seonghyeon. Seeing his re at Kim Seonghyeon, I remembered where I had seen him before. He was the guy who stared too long when a girl group member handed a note to Kim Seonghyeon earlier. Your hoobae should work hard too. If you keep being clingy here and there, itll cause bad rumors. Ah. Now the situation was clear. This Yu Hyeok seemed to have a crush on that girl group member, and he was upset because she showed interest in Kim Seonghyeon instead. Kim Seonghyeon, who had never been clingy, raised his eyebrows in disbelief. At that moment, I deliberately dropped a piece of paper on the floor. Oh, shoot! When I said it out loud, everyones attention turned to us. I hurriedly picked up the note and carefully put it in Kim Seonghyeons pocket. Seonghyeon, be careful with it. Seonghyeon? Whats this after dropping it, huh? Kim Seonghyeon looked at me with a bewildered expression. He didnt seem to understand what was going on. Yu Hyeoks eyes were fixed on Seonghyeons pocket. No matter how many you receive, you shouldnt be dropping them like this. What Oh right, you said you werent interested, didnt you? I pulled out the piece of paper from Kim Seonghyeons pocket. Ill pass this on to the manager. Hey, whats that? Oh, sorry for interrupting. Kim Seonghyeon is just so careless. Yu Hyeok couldnt take his eyes off the note. I bowed my head with a kind smile. Thank you for the advice, sunbae. We wont be swayed by such things in the future, and well work hard. I grinned and yfully waved the paper. It was an outright provocation. Yu Hyeoks expression turned grim, realizing what I had done. Seong Jiwon let out a hollowugh, and next to him, Kang Ichae turned red as he tried to hold back hisughter. You Whats your name? Its Seo Hoyun, sunbae. As I answered with a smile, Yu Hyeok approached me and snatched the paper. You little punk, already losing your mind? Thinking youre something just because you got a note? I obediently handed it over. Shocked nces were cast from the side. Hey, youre the one who said to watch your mouth at the broadcasting station. Are you crazy? A note with a sunbaes phone number? Its personal information? That was the kind of look they gave. They were probably worried the note would be passed to that sunbae, and wed get caught. But I was confident. Yu Hyeok unfolded the note with a swagger. Ill pass this on to that sunbae. You guys are already acting so high and mighty without manners Huh. Yu Hyeok checked the folded paper and closed his mouth. Yes? Yeees? What did you say? Because, you see, it was a receipt. A receipt for the sd we had for breakfast. I wouldnt carelessly leak personal information like that. A receipt? I tilted my head. Kang Ichae wasughing so hard beside me that he was almost in tears. What is this? Ah, its the receipt for the sd we had for breakfast. Our manager always tells us to take the cash receipts when we buy something. But Kim Seonghyeon doesnt know these things very well. Maybe because hes only focused on practicing. Then what you said earlier about not being swayed was. Oh, I thought you were obviously talking about dieting. As I calmly replied, even Seong Jiwons face turned red, trying to hold backughter. I, on the other hand, sighed. Being an idol was tough These kids were jealous of their juniors wanting to date Sunbae, I dont know why you want our receipt, but if you wish, feel free to take it. Maybe he has a hobby of collecting cash receipts Thats unusual. Or maybe he just likes the smell of the sd on the receipt Wait, do sds even have a smell? Hey, hey. You should keep that kind of stuff to yourself. Jeong Dajun muttered seriously beside me. I pretended to stop him with augh. Jeong Dajun, this guy was really funny. A great character for variety shows. Especially when theres an opportunity to tease people, I must involve Jeong Dajun. These punks Yu Hyeoks face turned red and pale. He lunged at me as if to grab my cor, but I dodged him smoothly. If Yu Hyeok threw a punch at me here, it wouldnt be too bad to use it to our advantage. I was secretly looking forward to it. It would be great if Kang Ichae was recording this. Yu Hyeok was trying to grab me at that very moment. Ah, Seo Hoyun! A familiar voice was heard. Turning my head, I saw Joo Woosung raising his hand and approaching. Come to think of it, I heard he was here as a special MC. Joo Woosung was nothing extraordinary, but because his debut and poprity were top-notch, everyone around him bowed 90 degrees every time he stepped in the hallway. It was a truly bizarre sight. Are you some kind of god? What are you doing? You should greet people when you arrive. Hmm It was simr to what Yu Hyeok had said to Seong Jiwon earlier, but it strangely felt okay when Joo Woosung said it. He must be trying to help. I got goosebumps from his overly friendly tone, but I smiled broadly anyway. Sunbae, I went to see you earlier, but you werent there. Sunbae? Dont be so formal Just call me hyung like you usually do. And hello to the rest of you too. Hello! Have you been practicing? Did you improve from thest time I saw you? Joo Woosung chuckled and tapped me. I thought he had caught on to my intentions Is he actually helpful? In terms of experience and recognition, Yu Hyeok was no match for Joo Woosung. As if sensing something strange, Yu Hyeok looked at Joo Woosung and bowed at a 90-degree angle. Hello, Joo Woosung-sunbae! Ah Right. Joo Woosung nced at him. Yu Hyeok quickly changed his demeanor and clung to him, unting their closeness. Ive been enjoying the album you gave mest time, sunbae. I cant tell you how excited I was when I heard you wereing as a special MC. Shouldnt this guy have been an actor rather than an idol? Mmm Thanks, Yu Yes, sunbae! Yu Yu Hyung, was it? Like a math problem? Study guide? Joo Woosung burst intoughter after saying it himself. It was a dad joke.[1] Sorry, Im not good with faces I dont recognize well. Yu Hyeok was totally burned. His expression twisted for a moment, and then immediately rxed. Its Yu Hyeok. Aha. Then Joo Woosung turned his gaze back to me. As an idol, he must have known the name of a fairly famous junior, so he deliberately ignored Yu Hyeok. Seo Hoyun, you have some time before the recording, right? Come to my dressing roomter. Why? Well, I just want to catch up for a bit. Its been hard to get in touch since youre so busy, you rascal. Joo Woosungs acting had improved since Ist saw him. I pretended to be embarrassed for no reason. Oh, I forgot. Sorry. Its fine. See youter. I gave an OK sign and watched Joo Woosung walk away. Then, I smiled and greeted Yu Hyeok, who was dumbfounded after being ignored. The sunbae Yu Hyeok tried to show off his connections with was treating Seo Hoyun nicely. That must be infuriating. Such people definitely get frustrated. Sunbae, you seem hungry. Make sure to eat well. Go practice or something, kid. Everyone quickly moved away from Yu Hyeok, trying not tough. After a while, Kim Seonghyeon quietly added ament. Youre really cunning, but its reassuring when youre on our side. Ill take that as apliment. *** Oh, youre here. Right before your eyes, the great Mr. Shin O Jeong X is here. Come on in,e on in. Joo Woosung said this as I walked into the waiting room he was using alone. I was pretty good, right? Joo Woosung took his eyes off his phone and looked at me, bragging. I chuckled and plopped down on the sofa next to him. Why is the MCs dressing room for one person so spacious? Ours is like a chicken coop. Well, I am Joo Woosung. True. Hes one of the top idols in Korea, both in name and reality. Would I be able to escape this game after Iplete the main scenario by reaching that kind of level? I stared at him and checked his stats. [Youre viewing Joo Woosungs stats. Singing: A+ Dancing: S+ Entertainment: A0 ???: ??? ??: ?? Charm: S-] I was speechless for a moment. Wow What is it? No, I just realized how far I still have to go. Huh? Why? So, I needed to build up stats like this guy to be on his level? When would I ever get out of this game? Could I get out before I turn eighty? Losing my enthusiasm, I pouted, and Joo Woosung narrowed his eyes. Are you mocking me right now? No, Im not. It sure seems like it. I was just admiring your stats, you brat. There was no point in saying that since he wouldnt believe me, so I ignored it. So, what is it? Why did you call me? Talking about it outside would feel awkward, and I didnt want to risk running into any White Cherry members. White Cherry? I raised my eyebrows. Joo Woosung gave an ufortable smile. Ive be a legendary jerk within White Cherry. Oh, right. They were dating. Did you break up? I was dumped, actually. One of them finally escaped. Of course, I was talking about White Cherrys side. Kids these days are scary, you know? Sshing water wasnt enough; they brought a big bowl of water from the bathroom and threw it at me. I waspletely soaked. Well, thats understandable. I crossed my arms, looking at the legendary jerk. Well I am a jerk, after all. Whats going on? Was he finally going to treat his fans better? Or was it just a realization after being threatened? Anyway, if I leave, half of those people are my ex-girlfriends. Hey, Im not that bad Am I? Joo Woosung seriously pondered. I ignored him. Anyway, I didnt call you to talk about that. Its something else. What is it? You guys are entering apetition this time, right? I was about to dismiss it as nothing serious and respond casually when my ears perked up. How did you know? I heard it from someone. It seems the variety show department is pushing for that program this time. The lineup doesnt look bad. Joo Woosung said, tapping on his phone. Shining Star seemed to be a gathering of idols with moderate poprity. I didnt know the lineup was considered good, though. Did you hear whos participating? From what I know, Refined, Maze, and Today, the ones who picked a fight with you guys earlier. Hmm Refined, Maze, and Today. All of them debuted between 1-4 years ago. Thepetition seemed fiercer than I thought. Today has overwhelmingly higher recognition. It might be tough to break through thepetition here. But dont expect to win first ce. I quickly raised my head. I thought he said that because of the difference in poprity, but Joo Woosung added calmly. Theres already a predetermined winner. What? Shining Star and Todays agency seem to have strong ties. Theyve already arranged everything and are proceeding with the program. A rigged program with a predetermined winner. Thats why Yu Hyeok said those words earlier. The oue is already set. Todays side must know it as well. I wondered if Kang Ichae recorded it earlier but decided to drop it. Yu Hyeoks words were too weak to overturn the situation. It would be over if he imed he didnt have such intentions since it was too vague. As I was thinking about what to do, Joo Woosung casually said. This kind of thing ismon. Im telling you not to be too passionate and end up disappointed. As far as I know, the second and third ces havent been determined. You wont be able topete with other groups as the first ce, but itll still be quite useful for raising your recognition. My disappointment must have shown as Joo Woosungs words became lengthier. Thank you. Huh? Im grateful you told me. Can I tell the members and thepany about this? Yeah, theyd know anyway. Just dont mention that Im the source. I understand. Seeing my unbroken spirit, Joo Woosung raised his eyebrows with a Look at this expression. More importantly, there was something else. Whos the PD? All of a sudden? Yes. Did you hear who the PD of Shining Star is? The CEO said they were still searching for one. Joo Woosung frowned at the unexpected question. I dont remember that. Why? Its important. Can you find out for me? Well, finding out isnt a problem Whoa. Joo Woosungs words trailed off, and he suddenly asked earnestly. Seo Hoyun, youre not nning to threaten the PD, right? I wouldnt do that. I cant believe you since you have a history of it. It was difficult to damage a PDs reputation, even when they had ws. I had to look for another way. Rather than threatening, something more enticing As I was pondering, Joo Woosung shrugged. Anyway, Ill find out and let you know. If you have any more questions about the program, just ask. Why are you being so helpful? Joo Woosung had been surprisingly helpful to a ckmailer like me. When I asked him honestly, he just grumbled. Even when Im being nice, youre suspicious, you bastard. Im joking. I appreciate it, so consider me in your debt. What would I gain by having you in my debt? Well, who knows what will happen in life? It was good for me that they were helpful. Joo Woosung and Lim Hyeonsu were softer than I thought. My focus was already on Shining Star. It was understandable since a new quest window had appeared. [Quest Arrival! Win first ce on Shining Star. Sess: Acquire hidden talent, +50 to all stats. Failure: Unable to release the next album for 3 years] I needed to create a new n. [1] So the joke is essentially a y on the simr-sounding words (Yoo Hyeok, his name) and (Yoo Hyung, the word for study guide).
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! Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Todays number one is Today! Congrattions! He pped mechanically. MC Joo Woosung handed over the trophy with a beaming smile. Todays gaze briefly met his, but he pretended not to notice. Thank you! We really didnt expect this. With Today, whether they ranked first or not, they were busy looking and waving only at their fans and showed no interest in others. They were so funny, and its like they really followed their own way, not caring about anyone else. As they were about to leave the stage, Todays Yu Hyeok sent a deep, sarcastic gaze toward us. It was a face that seemed to say, You guys cant get this, can you? That kind of disdainful face. The kids were used to that kind of contempt, but surprisingly, Kim Seonghyeon took the bait. Seong Jiwon quickly grabbed and pulled him away as he made an angry face. Seonghyeon. Let it go. Kim Seonghyeon sighed and turned his head after looking at Seong Jiwon. Thats right. Thats what they should do. Even if its petty and dirty, they couldnt let it show while the cameras are rolling. Today, Today! The cheers of Todays fans could be heard, and a passing idol group grumbled. Why do they like those guys? Their personalities are terrible. When the cameras are rolling, they pretend to be nice, so who knows? Their fans are really pitiful. They have such a bad reputation. I suddenly looked up and met their eyes. The gossiping idols quickly shut their mouths and moved away. What was that groups name again? While I made a mental note of the overheard conversation, I also nodded to the people around them with a face that pretended not to hear anything and got into the cramped van. Guys, good job. Lets go to the dorm. Yes. The atmosphere was strangely subdued. I texted the CEO about what I heard from Joo Woosung and put my phone away. What should I do? I pondered while plugging in my earphones and listening to our song. Insiders I continued to worry about how to n my strategy. When we arrived at the dorm, the manager carefully observed us before leaving. Then, Kang Ichae called out to me. Hyung. Hoyun-hyung! Huh? I looked at Kang Ichae with a bewildered gaze while absentmindedly tapping the dining table with my index finger. The other members eyes were all gathered on me. Whats wrong? What is it? Are you that upset about not getting first ce? Or did someone pick a fight? What are you talking about all of a sudden? Why do you look so fierce? It feels like a cold wind is blowing from you. Is this the Arctic? Was I like that? No, I wasnt really angry, but It seemed like I couldnt pay attention to others while concentrating. No, its not that. I just had something to think about for a moment. Really? What did Joo Woosung say? Why did they suddenly bring him up? When I frowned at Kim Seonghyeons question, everyone sighed in relief. I guess not. Thats good. We thought you were scolded because Joo Woosung called you. Why, if it was true, would you scold him? Its scary, but should we try? Surprisingly, Seong Jiwon gave a quick response. I dismissed it as a joke and moved on. So, whats going on? The manager was also carefully watching your reactions earlier. The manager is sensitive; thats the issue. Did you ever think you might be too tough? I havent thought about it? I, for one, was emotionally sensitive enough. Everyone looked concerned, even though I didnt know what my expression was. Is that for real? Its scary even if its an act and even scarier if its true. Kim Seonghyeon scolded Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae for whispering in front of the person in question. Then, he turned his gaze to me. So, what is it? Did something happen? Well, thats I recently warned the members about three things to be cautious of. I never expected thest words, trust me, to be used so soon. We cant win first ce even if wepete. What? Who said that? Its because the winner is already predetermined. What?! Jeong Dajun kicked the table and stood up, appalled. Ah, these people are sly! Are we just a screen? How did you find out about that? Wait, who exactly are they? Huh. I tapped the table again. Today. A chilling silence followed. All the members faces hardened, and then they started cursing. Those guys dont have talent, so they resort to anything. Kang Ichae muttered coldly. I already thought they were too luckypared to their abilities. I thought their poprity rose because they were pushed into entertainment shows, but I never expected them to be this tant. Kim Seonghyeons face twisted and seemed even more annoyed, perhaps because he had been pushed around by Yu Hyeok earlier. As everyoneined, Jeong Dajun asked a question. Hyung, why are you so calm?! Arent you angry? Hmm. Im not really angry. Are you a pushover, hyung?! ? Who was calling whom a pushover now? As I looked incredulous, Jeong Dajun stepped back nervously. There was actually one reason why I wasnt angry. Sensing it, Seong Jiwon asked me. You have something up your sleeve. I do. Right now, theres an astonishing scenario unfolding as the members are agitated. Seong Jiwon smiled bitterly. What is it, by any chance? Are you giving up? Saying its okay not to be number one? Of course not. So, whats the n? Well, Ive finished thinking. I weighed a few factors and understood their cons. I spoke with confidence. We have to get first ce. The living room fell into an even more profound silence than when Today had been mentioned as an insider earlier. Hyung, did you not hear the conversation until now? What are you talking about when you were the one who told us about the inside information? Hoyun, even the agency is involved right now, and its difficult. This isnt something we can handle with our abilities. This kind of thing happens all the time in the entertainment industry. I know. I was aware. It wasnt the first time a schedule was pushed back because of that. There was even an instance when another PD snatched away a project I had worked on for a year. At that time, I drank at least five bottles of soju out of frustration. But could it be because Ive experienced many dys like that? We can make it to the top. I was not very familiar with that world. Upon hearing my words, the members faces brightened again. It seemed my image was established here. Crazy. That wasnt bad, either. But theres a condition. What is it? Do you remember what I said before? I mentioned three precautions. Kang Ichaes eyes sparkled. Everyone had a you cant be serious look. Youre not going to bring up dating here, are you? Trust us, okay? Yes. No matter what happens, you must trust us. Even if wemit a crime, trust us. If we say the sun is the moon, still trust us. Are you joking right now? Im not joking. A lot will happen in the future. At that time, no matter what I do, you must trust me. Dont trust what others say. It was a statement that warrantedments like what nonsense is this? and did he eat something wrong? Yet, everyone didnt outright dismiss it due to my track record so far. To make it big, I would boldly make any deal. Everyone might be trembling with fear, but still. Kim Seonghyeon cautiously asked. Whats the reason for saying that? Isnt it because you have something in mind that youre saying that? It was an utterly different attitude from when I first met him, and he said not to ruin the atmosphere and leave. I slowly looked around at the members. I wont choose the means and methods. They were people who were once thought to be hopeless. But look at them now. Theyve be quite capable. Star quality can be created. Ill do whatever it takes to make us sessful. There might be times when your feelings get hurt but you need to trust me anyway, even if it hurts. I spoke honestly. If I dont gain the members trust now, the foundation of all my nned schemes will copse. I waited calmly for the oue. What are you talking about? Of course, they only imagined situations that could be dismissed with a simpleugh. Suddenly, Jeong Dajun got up and, with a fumbling motion, took a red ginseng drink from Seong Jiwons carrier and drank it. What is it? I just felt a suddenck of energy Its hard to deal with Hoyun always acting crazy like that. I just dont want to think about it. Yeah, me too. Me too. Kang Ichae chuckled. When I raised one eyebrow, Seong Jiwon cautiously spoke. Hoyun, I dont know about the others, but Ive trusted you for quite a while now. I knew you had a bad personality from the beginning. Thats right, Ive already had quite a few heartfelt moments with you. Especially when you first mentioned your parents, I thought, Is there really someone like this?'' Honestly Seo Hoyun has a really disgusting personality. These guys? Kang Ichae chimed in with the ongoing conversation. Lets see how it goes. To be honest, I enjoy working with you. We head inpletely unexpected directions sometimes. Kang Ichae never said he trusted me until the end. But this was enough. The rest could be filled in slowly over time. Kang Ichae grinned. Lets do it, us. Trusting Hoyun, lets oust the designated sessor and take first ce. Its decided. *** Time flew by quickly, and it was already time for the n. Despite knowing the rigged set-up, the CEOughed heartily and said, Be satisfied with second ce. Even the gentle manager seemed to grind his teeth angrily at the thoughtless remark, but I remained calm. Because There! Your position is wrong right now! Ah! Seriously, this is a matter of centimeters! Adjust it again! Seong Jiwons switch turned on again. Following Seong Jiwon was damn hard, and I didnt even think about the annoying words from the CEO or Yu Hyeok. As I copsed in the corner, Kang Ichae sat down with a thud. In my opinion, Jiwon is insane. Yeah, hes definitely possessed. In my opinion, a dead trainee has possessed him in the practice room. He wasnt like this for the past year Its true that hes famous for being a practice bug. Everyone secretly gathered and gossiped about Seong Jiwon. Even Kim Seonghyeon joined in. Was Seong Jiwon famous? Yeah, didnt you know? He used to be a big rookie and part of a debut group, so he had some recognition. Most of our small group of fans were here because of Jiwon. Thats where Today is, right? Yeah. D.go is the agency. Kim Seonghyeon quietly answered. He must have had a lot of pressure. He slipped from the debut group there, unfortunately. Aha. He used to practice half-heartedly, like a dead person. But after he joined us, his eyes flipped. He brought oil barrels to the burning house, not just fanning the mes. Kang Ichae emptied a bottle of water and as he said that to them. Did Seong Jiwon hesitate with Yu Hyeok of Today for that reason? No, why did he fail in the first ce? It went without saying that Seong Jiwon was the most skilled and well-bnced guy in The Dawn. Well, it turned out well, anyway. At Seong Jiwons reply, Kang Ichae seemed surprised. It appeared he had heard our conversation. He walked over and fanned himself. I didnt want to debut with the Today members, either. Even after winning first ce now? Doesnt your stomach hurt? Id rather have a stomachache here than suffocate and die there. Seong Jiwon answered firmly. There must have been a serious issue, which Ill have to ask aboutter. Jiwon! Yeah, yeah? Jeong Dajun, who I thought had fainted, suddenly stood up. Are you saying loyalty is more important than poprity? Huh? Does that mean that? Please make sure to include that in your autobiographyter. Do idols usually write autobiographies? Seong Jiwon was confused and got caught up in Jeong Dajuns nonsense. In the meantime, my cell phone rang. When I checked it, Kang Ichae suddenly lifted his head. Is it theposer, hyung? No, its not. Darn, too bad. Kang Ichae clicked his tongue. Lately, hes been acting strangely. Like an outsider, he looked disinterested in everything but would flip out whenever Lim Hyeonsu was mentioned. You cant possibly be. Huh? Well, no. Surely Surely, he did like Lim Hyeonsu? As I nced at him, Kang Ichae let out a hollowugh. Hyung, what kind of filthy thoughts are you having? Ah, sorry. I never thought that, but your thinking is really narrow-minded. I said Im sorry. Kang Ichae went on about how theposer was in a different realm and almost like a religion to him. I half-listened and checked the message. Joo Woosung: Hey It was Joo Woosung. Joo Woosung: I checked what we talked aboutst time. I even know what the first mission is, lol Joo Woosung: Curious? Huh? If you say Joo Woosung-sunbae is the best, I respect and thank him, Ill tell you Wow. I carefully typed a message. Me: Best. Best. Me: R.s. Respect. Me: T.y. Thank you.[1] Joo Woosung: Im really ^^ Joo Woosung: Sometimes I think, am I a fool for treating you well even after being treated like this ^^ Not a fool, but a real fool. Joo Woosung told me, grumbling. I slowly checked the detailed mission he had written. Lately, Ive been receiving a lot of help from Joo Woosung. Joo Woosung: And I checked the producer too. Me: Who is it? Joo Woosung: It seems that many PDs have been reced as D.go started to interfere The final PD seems to be this person. I knew most of the broadcasting station PDs. I imagined the names that shed through my mind. If its a person in charge of such apetition program, it wouldnt be far from expectations. As I casually read the message, my heart dropped. Joo Woosung: Its PD Kim Heeyeon. Hyung? I lost my words for a moment. Kang Ichae, who was still talking about Lim Hyeonsus great points, tilted his head. Hyung, whats wrong? Ha I pressed my eyes hard and then copsed on the floor. Ichae. What? Life isnt easy. Kim Heeyeon cool, smart, famous as the crazy woman of this area at the cable broadcasting station, and also Its not easy. My ex-girlfriend. [1] Joo Woosung wanted Seo Hoyun to use three words: best (), respect (), and (thank you). Seo Hoyun replied with , , and . Theyre the first initial consonants of the three words in Korean, like a shorthand.
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! Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Hello, I am Kim Heeyeon, the PD in charge of the Shining Star project. Kim Heeyeon had a unique way of speaking with a soft, lingering tone. Despite being in her early to mid-30s, her face looked so youthful that she could have been mistaken for a college student. Because of these characteristics, everyone who met Kim Heeyeon for the first time had the same thought: Ah, she must be easy to work with. Hello! We are The Dawn. Did you arrive an hour early today? Oh, yes! I told you toe on time since our schedule is tight. And that thought would be shattered within five minutes for anyone. Do we have any foreign members who dont understand Korean? PD, the camera is on! Were the ones editing. Whats there to be scared of? PD! Same as always When everyone was at a loss for words, the assistant director (AD) nced around discreetly. The manager then waved his hands in surprise, remembering that the important person here wasnt a popr idol but a sessful PD. I apologize. There must have been a mimunication on our end. Next time, I hope youe at the scheduled time. Did people usually get scolded foringte and not because they came in early? Everyone looked puzzled, but it was clear that Kim Heeyeon, who had stayed up all night, was irritable. No, she acted like she had a problem with the program. As Kim Heeyeon came out of the break room, she yawned continuously and waved the proposal around. Well, since were here, lets start Youre called The Dawn, right? A big hit n. Its quite the topic. Yes, the members of The Dawn are really hardworking friends. Hard work doesnt always pay off. Kim Heeyeon sighed deeply. The members faces stiffened, realizing the meaning behind her words. Starting from the left, Seong Jiwon, Kim Seonghyeon Kim Heeyeon slowly recited the names, seemingly determined to work. I tried my best to maintain a calm demeanor as thest name to be called. And Seo Hoyun. Hmm Kim Heeyeon stared at me for unusually long, tilting her head. Why is she doing this? Cold sweat began to run down my back. Could she have recognized me? No, thats impossible. Lim Hyeonsu and Joo Woosung lost their memories of me. This world belonged to idol Seo Hoyun, not PD Seo Hoyun. As expected, Kim Heeyeon nodded. Seo Hoyun Youre really handsome. Thank you. You look like youde out great on camera. You have a certain charisma As Seo Hoyun heard that He quietly murmured to himself. The members kept ncing over at him with faces that seemed to say, Hyung, why are you like this?, Your expression has been off since earlier. It seemed that I must have been making a strange expression. As soon as Kim Heeyeons gaze dropped, Kim Seonghyeon, who was next to me, nudged my side and gave me a look. It meant to pull myself together. No, I wanted to pull myself together, but how could I when my ex-girlfriend, Kim Heeyeon, was staring right before me? Well I assume youve all seen the n. Yes, its really interesting! We enjoyed it. Well, Im d its to the liking of you guys at least. I honestly dont like it at all. PD Kim! The AD, who was next to her, grabbed her in surprise. PD, have you gone crazy? Why are you acting like this, really? What do you think the neers will think of you if you say such things in front of them? Ah I dont want to be like this either. But why are you acting this way! What can I do if I dont like it? Those crazy people from above keep interfering like crazy. Do they think people are expendable? Damn it Kim Heeyeon continued to grumble like a mad woman. The faces of everyone, except Kim Heeyeon and me, changed colors like aser show. Ugh I didnt want to talk if I could avoid it. I was the only one who could stop Kim Heeyeon from going berserk here. Ultimately, I let out a shallow sigh and cautiously opened my mouth. Excuse me, PD. Yes, Mr. Hoyun. You said you would summarize todays first recording and tell us the mission. I did. Can we hear that first? We didnte here to listen to this kind of talk from you. As I said it, the faces of the members, who were already trembling at the PDs words, turned even paler. The manager wondered why I was picking a fight and if I had finally lost it. His eyes shed like he was about to grab my head if I said another word. However, Kim Heeyeon just blinked and slowly nodded her head. Youre right. Im sorry. I havent been in my right mindtely. Finally, everyone let out the breath they had been holding, and their faces rxed. Kim Heeyeon was known as the crazy woman of this cable broadcasting stations area, but she was rational enough to rise to this position. She slowly distributed the nning documents. As this project had many staff changes, the recording schedule is a bit tight. The first recording is in three days, so please be prepared. We n to select 120-second stages for your debut, so please prepare for that. In three days? Yes. Oh, could you bring out the lottery? The faces of the members slightly frowned. It was a lottery that had been contacted a month ago for appearances only. Kim Heeyeons expression hardened as she received a draw from each of the two lots handed over by the assistant director, but she quickly pretended to be calm. Alright, one person needs to draw. Ah, Ill do it. Naturally, the leader, Kim Seonghyeon, ended up drawing the lots. There are five girl group songs from the music industry. I made a list of girl groups instead of boy groups to make it more unique. Youllpete with the song you draw. What songs are there? White Cherry, Like Girls, Merry Me, Rosemary, and Its You. Check the songs yourself. They were all strong girl groups. The members exchanged meaningful smiles at that remark. Kim Heeyeon, who had been sneakily observing them, held out the right lot. And heres a note with the Fairy Tale concept written on it. Since the motif is based on fairy tales, youll choose one from several. Are you ready? Yes! At Kim Heeyeons signal, the camera closed in. The nervous Kim Seonghyeon drew the lot for the song and concept. Everyone remained speechless as they watched him. [Like Girls Want You] The most challenging song, they thought. Jeong Dajun started pping first. Wow. Ah. Ah. Its. Truly. Awe. Some. Oh my? Kim Heeyeonughed at their deted appearance. You guys are cute. This will make a great edit, she muttered, narrowing her eyes. *** Hoyun, wait a moment. I dont know where the kids scattered. Alright. Ill be here. Everyone seemed shocked or stuck in the van, having dispersed in all directions. After hastily sending off the manager, I walked around the broadcast station. I wandered aimlessly down the street, and my steps naturally led me to the smoking area. It had been a while since Id been here. I used to smoke here asionally when I came I often ran into Kim Heeyeon here too. Feeling uneasy, I was about to turn back when Oh. Theres the real Kim Heeyeon. With great timing, I ran into Kim Heeyeon. She greeted me more warmly than expected while openly smoking in front of the broadcasting station. Isnt it Seo Hoyun? Yes. What should I do now? I couldnt just ignore the main PD. I approached Kim Heeyeon like a cow being dragged to the ughterhouse. Did youe to smoke? No, I dont smoke. Is that so? Kim Heeyeon, seen from the outside, looked just a tiny bit livelier than she did indoors. Apparently, she was still holding up while inhaling nicotine. Guilt pricked at me. Kim Heeyeon was a light smoker, but she had be a heavy smoker for some reason. Ding! [Mommy, mommy!] [I opened the popcorn!] Be quiet. As I wondered what to say to naturally distance myself, my eyes met Kim Heeyeons. She exhaled a puff of cigarette smoke and smiled mischievously at me. Seo Hoyun, youre really handsome How did I not notice before? Thank you Of course, the other members are handsome too, but, well, how should I put it You have a captivating charm. You also seem a bit sensitive, which is my type. She had argued with her type while breaking up, trying to p me while I desperately stopped her. Ah! Kim Heeyeon waved her hands, interpreting my nervous expression somehow. I didnt mean anything special. If I upset you, Im sorry. Its my fault, right? As a PD, evaluating people bes a habit, and even I know I can be rude. No, not at all. I quickly denied it. I could understand her intentions to some extent after spending time together. Her blunt and seemingly rude words were her way of praising. Why would I feel bad when the PD says Im good-looking? Wow, impressivement. As I gave a subtle smile, Kim Heeyeon couldnt take her eyes off it, then coughed awkwardly and cleared her throat. Anyway, I think youre fine, Hoyun. These days, idols are so careful not to make any mistakes. Even when Im blunt, they just tiptoe around me. In that sense, you were refreshing earlier. Isnt it because youre scary, not because theyre afraid of making mistakes? Haha, just kidding. How nice am I, really? Now I understood how the others felt when I imed to be nice. Kim Heeyeon giggled. Anyway, Im sorry. I havent been paying enough attention to your team. I told you about the mission toote She must have thought we didnt know anything. If Joo Woosung hadnt told us, we would have believed all the teams had started practicing three days earlier. I slowly shook my head. No, its okay. Its enough already. No, youll definitely be treated better. Kim Heeyeon smiled bitterly as if foreseeing what was toe. She looked exhausted. Im sorry, really. Life isnt easy, is it? You couldnt tell just by looking. Kim Heeyeon was a sessful PD. People would beg her to continue making shows even if she imed she was tired of them. Talented and confident. She seemed to have it all, but in reality, Kim Heeyeon was exhausted. What should I say to her? I was not the Seo Hoyun that she knew. I hesitated, ultimately remaining silent. Kim Heeyeon took a deep drag of herst cigarette, extinguished it, and gave a faint smile. Well, if theres work next time, Ill try my best to call you. I like you, Seo Hoyun. PD. Hmm? I pulled out the candy Kang Ichae had stuffed in my pocket. It was the candy he gave me to help me quit smoking. Kim Heeyeons eyes widened as I ced the candy in her hand. Whats this? Its candy. I can see that, but Kim Heeyeon looked at me, wondering what this was about. Its a bribe. She looked incredulous. Just then, I heard my manager calling me from a distance. I looked back at Kim Heeyeon. We made a bet to quit smoking. Kim Heeyeon was always confident, boasting she would quit faster than a heavy smoker like me. I recalled old memories and smiled faintly. As I indulged in nostalgia, an ominous sound rang in my ears. Ding! [Choices
  1. Pretty Hoyun wille again
  2. Think of me while eating candy
  3. Ill step back then.]
Damn it! It always appeared at moments like this. Seo Hoyun had never made such a quick decision in his life, hastily picking a choice. I was breaking out in a cold sweat. Ill step back then Excuse me? Wishing you good health.[1] Kim Heeyeons face changed from bafflement to embarrassment and then to the look of someone observing a crazy person, but I turned away and left. Staying any longer would only have been more embarrassing. She might think I was crazy, but seeing her after a long time made me smile uncontrobly. Theres no need to apologize, noona. Were going to be number one. [1] Seo Hoyun actually said, , which literally trantes to May you be blessed with health and longevity. Its something you often use with elders and formal situations.
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! Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Hello, I know youre wavering, But youlle to me eventually. Ah Out of all the choices, we got this one. The manager kept grumbling. We leaned our heads together and listened to the song in our dorm. Seong Jiwon spoke slowly. Its okay. Weve already memorized the song. Yeah, because Joo Woosung told us. Indeed, Joo Woosung told us about the first mission and what songs would appear, and we prepared by continuously listening to all five songs. The problem was that the song we chose had the lowest recognition. Maybe I cant do it anymore, I might have already lost, But Ill take courage and try again. Its not bad, but. Theres no impact. The more we listened It wasnt addictive. Was this song popr? No, it didnt make the charts. Its a B-side, and Like Girls had low recognition then. Like Girls was a group that rose to fame after seven years of debut, with one members poprity exploding through variety shows after four years of obscurity. A video of all members crying and singing the encore after their first win was still famous on various SNS. They were touching and a genuinely good group, but The problem was that it was a B-side from their massively failed debut album. Kang Ichae brushed his chin. Was this song in all five lots? What? Its possible. This song stood out from the list we got from Joo Woosung. If they wanted to push Today, they would give them a solid White Cherry song, and the rest would be like this. It was a persuasive argument. Considering Kim Heeyeons bitter expression, such maniption could have taken ce. Sigh Thats annoying if its true. Hey, the PD couldnt help it either. Theres pressure from above. Thats right, Kim Heeyeon couldnt help it either. Kim Seonghyeon looked good for the first time, as he made a valid point. Its quite lively. Its about pushing forward and confessing to someone youve had a crush on. It has a cheerleader vibe. Wouldnt it be good to go with a cheerleader concept? Guys We have one more lot. Then, Jeong Dajun pushed in another crumpled piece of paper. What should we do with this, guys? As the paper in Jeong Dajuns hand was unfolded, the phrase Peter Pan appeared. It was extremely vague. It would have been better if it was The Little Mermaid or Cindere. At least those two were famous and had clear concepts. Peter Pan is about Wendy meeting Peter Pan and going to Nevend, right? Ill be Tinkerbell. Who wants to be Peter Pan? I want to do it! Everyone seemed serious, but no good ideas emerged. Jeong Dajun, who had been racking his brain, slumped. Guys, guys Im not good at this because Im not smart. Hey, who says youre smart? You guys are Ill practice well If Jiwon-hyung tells me to roll, Ill roll Then Jeong Dajun actually began to roll around on the floor. Kim Seonghyeons eyes narrowed, and Seong Jiwon sighed deeply. The issue isnt really the songs poprity. Its better to cover a less well-known song. The poprity of the cover song wasnt directly rted to our poprity. On the contrary, it offered many opportunities for aeback if done well. However, the problem was Um, you know. Seong Jiwon stroked his chin. A lively and cute song, Peter Pan matches well in terms of style but theres one problem. Arent there multiple problems? True, but still. Seong Jiwon, what do you think? I pressed down on the back of Kang Ichaes neck as I looked at Seong Jiwon. After skimming the contents of the paper, Seong Jiwon sighed again. It doesnt match our concept. Thats right. Thats the answer. If the revolutionary and government soldiers, who were suicidal until recently, suddenly adopted a lively concept, fans would be pleased, but the groups image would blur. It wasnt a great move for idols who needed to captivate existing fans and the public. Were alreadycking in recognition, so we need a song that clearly shows our groups identity early on. Right But what we got is a lively and cute Peter Pan concept! Jeong Dajun suddenly started rolling on the dorm floor again after having stopped earlier, picking up all sorts of dust as he went. Kang Ichae muttered something as he watched him. Why buy a robot vacuum cleaner when we have Jeong Dajun? Are you saying Im trash, hyung? No, Im saying youre a vacuum cleaner thats good at picking up trash. Both of you quiet down. Its getting hectic. The noise was making it difficult to think. Even I, who excelled in nning, couldnte up with a novel and good idea in this situation. At that moment, Seong Jiwons phone rang. Who is it? Uh I dont know the number. Wait a minute, sorry. Its okay. Pick it up! Seong Jiwon hesitated for a moment and then answered. As it wasnt a time when saesangs would typically be around, we just let him be. However, Seong Jiwons face soon hardened. Uh. Who is it? Kang Ichae whispered to Kim Seonghyeon. At Kim Seonghyeons gesture, Seong Jiwon discreetly switched his phone to speakerphone. Ah, Seong Jiwon. You still havent changed your number? It was Yu Hyeok. Is the concept meeting going well? Um well. Haha, why does your voice sound so dead? Anyone would think your world has ended. It was so obvious, really. I rested my arm on the sofa and clicked my tongue. That jerk called us to rub it in, knowing we drew the short straw. What did you guys get? We got Like Girls song, Want You.'' Hmm What is that? Ive never heard of it before? He scoffed. Although if he had recorded this and leaked it, we would have been dragged through the mud by Like Girls fans, Yu Hyeok didnt hold back his words because of his smugness. We got White Cherrys Lemon Love. Im so excited! Their poprity is no joke in Korea and overseas, right? Deep, pronounced wrinkles formed on Seong Jiwons forehead. At this point, Yu Hyeok, who was called a living annoyance by Seong Jiwon, seemed quite impressive in some sense. Of course, the faces of the other members were no better. Ah, of course, were short on time. How can we practice in just three days with this intense choreography? You guys must be happy. It looks easy. ncing at Kang Ichae, who listened to the conversation with his chin propped up, he gave a sh of a smile and shook the recording screen. Wow, Kang Ichae is thorough. I would have recorded it too. I gave him a thumbs-up as I listened to Yu Hyeoks words. Yu Hyeok seemed determined to provoke Seong Jiwon as he continued to bber. Youre lucky, really lucky. We also have many schedules, so we dont have enough time to practice, but you guys have plenty. Arent you in a better position? Um. Wont this put us at a disadvantage? Your members must be envious, huh? Seong Jiwon disyed a calm smile. Despite being his usual smile, it seemed like apletely new face. Yu Hyeok. Uh-huh? I didnt ask. Silence ensued. You free? Go practice. Click. And with that, Seong Jiwon hung up the call. The manager, members, and even I were speechless. That kind-hearted Seong Jiwon The always considerate Seong Jiwon It was the first time we saw him speaking so firmly. Heh Whats with Seong Jiwon?! Everyoneughed, smacking the floor of the dorm. I held back myughter and nudged Kang Ichae. Hey, hey, Kang Ichae. We cant use the entire recording file. I know, I just wanted to catch the tail end, but I didnt expect Jiwon-hyung to do that! As Seong Jiwon said I didnt ask, and I dont care.'' Is that what it means? Everyoneughed uncontrobly, rolling around on the floor. Meanwhile, Seong Jiwon, who hung up the call so resolutely, slowly became embarrassed. Ah, my cheeks hurt. Its funnier because its unexpected from Jiwon-hyung. I think he got influenced by Hoyun-hyung. Hey, why am I mentioned? As I gave a headlock to Kang Ichae, who was teasing me, an idea suddenly popped into my head. The element of surprise. A distinctive individuality that emerges even more strikingly and prepared due to people being unaware of it. This very surprise factor can captivate people even more, as it catches them off guard. Wouldnt it make a nice picture? I picked up the lottery slip Seong Jiwon ced on the floor when he answered the phone earlier. Ideas and strategies flooded in as I stared at the note with Peter Pan written on it. Seong Jiwon, thank you. Huh? What did I? After cing the note on the table, Kim Seonghyeon brought paper and a pen. Then, I started writing out ideas like a madman. Hey, were done. Its over. Hoyun-hyung again Jeong Dajun mumbled. Just listen first. The guys, who were initially hesitant, got more excited as they listened to my words. After discussing it for a long time, we ended up smiling at each other. Lets call Lim Hyeonsu. *** Eh? What did you guys get? Like Girls Want You. Ah! That one. As expected from aposer, Lim Hyeonsu immediately understood what I meant. When I switched to speakerphone, the members, especially Kang Ichae, listened to Lim Hyeonsus words as if she were a deity. Actually, the melody turned out well. The arrangement was a bit messed up, though. Its a shame. Wouldnt it be fine with some tweaks? I got her. Hmm. A moment of silence followed. Hey, dont tell me. I grinned and stretched out thest word. Its the Blue Tiger. Ah, shoot, what now? Youre making me nervous. Geniusposer. Im not doing it, Im not doing it, I said Im not! Its the Lim Hyeonsu. I have urgent matters, Im hanging up! So Lim Hyeonsu hung up on me, but Me: ^^ Me: ^^ Me: ^^ Me: ^^ Me: ^^ Me: In our rtionship Me: Is there only Me: This option? Me: ^^ Me: Am I deluding myself..? Me: Cant our rtionship be based on goodwill? Me: Im upset really Me: In the end I, again sigh Me: Should I act like that time? Lim Hyeonsu: Youre really crazy Lim Hyeonsu: Stop it Eventually, Lim Hyeonsu had no choice but to call me again. Lim Hyeonsu growled and threatened that she would hold this debt against me for a long time. Yeah, yeah, sure. Thats how I managed to ckmail Lim Hyeonsu and get what I wanted. A fairy-tale-like story with a very, very happy ending. Three dayster, after fully dedicating ourselves to practice, we arrived at the recording site for Shining Stars first episode.
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! Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Ive said it over and over. The first of the three rules I mentioned! Dont trust all those broadcasting station guys. Hyung, the vocalist of Nightmare seems really nice. Why? As soon as he saw me, he said I was the most handsome here. Amazing, and he gave me a sandwich. Want some? Hey, would you eat something given to you by a stranger? I told you not to. Its delicious! After being captivated by food, Jeong Dajun was eliminated right after he arrived at the recording site. Second! Be careful with your words. Ah, about Refined, that guy. What is it? I ran into them at the year-end waiting room. Their specialty was talking nonsense about grades Seonghyeon got really annoyed. Didnt I tell you to watch your words? Oops Kang Ichae, the indiscriminate bbermouth of horror: Eliminated. Third! Trust Seo Hoyun unconditionally! Seo Hoyun. What? Um Can we really react like this? Wont the response be too bad? If we re-think the n You dont trust me? I cant say anything when you ask like that. Overly anxious Kim Seonghyeon was also eliminated. I thought they would do well, but seeing them like this worried me. Knock-knock. A staff member entered the waiting room. You can enter soon. Ill follow with the camera. I nodded and looked around. There was still some time before going on stage. Entering now was for the entrance cut. As we entered the studio, the rookie idol group in their debut year, Nightmare, was already seated. Hello, were The Dawn. Whether theyre trying to be caught on camera more by reacting enthusiastically, Nightmares response was extraordinary. The Dawn members also bowed and sat down as other idols entered sequentially. Refined, Maze, and finally Today. I nced at Today, who greeted everyone with a very bright smile. Hello, we are Today! Nice to meet you! Oh! Today. They won first cest time A four-time winner. Surrounding idols began to whisper. I looked at my members sneakily. Expressionless. Noment. Ignored. Good. Thats what they were told to do when Today appeared. Even the anxious Kim Seonghyeon stared at Today with a stone-cold face. Thats right, trust me, you brat. I smiled contentedly and caught Yu Hyeoks gaze. A faint sneer crossed his lips, but it soon disappeared. The rookies and staff nearby became restless as Today approached The Dawns seats. And they subtly greeted us with a lowered voice. Hello. This guy must have wanted to imitate Joo Woosung. Guys, thats Hoyun, right? Howve you been? We couldnt even catch our breath. We were so busy. Yes. I gave a curt reply with my chin resting on my hand. The other members of The Dawn didnt mind since they knew my personality, but the younger members of Nightmare had a tremor in their eyes. Is it okay to talk to a senior like that? No, it was not. However, when lying down, just look for a spot to stretch your legs out and make yourselffortable. ? Yu Hyeok seemed taken aback. Seo Hoyun, you must be really nervous? No. A crack appeared in Yu Hyeoks smiling face. Oh. From afar, PD Kim Heeyeon, who seemed intrigued, gestured to the VJ. The camera closed in. It was probably getting a close-up. How will it air? Probably as a rude character. Its impossible to package it as someone who tried hard to be nervous. Then, how will the public react? Whats with Seo Hoyuns character? The way he treats his sunbaes is really unpleasant. Nowadays, young people have no manners! Idol fight is so entertaining Yu Hyeok and Todays members raised their eyebrows. I looked each of them in the eye, then exchanged a sly smile with PD Kim Heeyeon. Sunbae. What? Do you need a receipt? Why are you talking to me? Yu Hyeoks face was worth seeing. His blond hair and red face made him look like fresh produce. His trembling hand seemed to want to grab my cor but couldnt in front of the camera. You shouldnt have messed with me Ding! [Your personality is really.] The world made me this way. Seo Hoyun. What? Watching Yu Hyeok walk away with a swagger, Kim Seonghyeon patted me, sighed at my sullen response, and then turned his gaze forward. He seemed to be sweating from anxiety. Disrespectful hoobae idol ignoring their entertainment sunbae, what a perfect YouTube hit. But seriously, its fine, right? While I was seriously contemting, the MC entered, and everyone gasped. The long hair that swayed with each step and the shy face that screamed celebrity. Hello, everyone. Nations little sister Yu Jia. Im actress Yu Jia, the host of Shining Star. Wow! OMG, its Yu Jia, the sunbae! Rising as the nations little sister with her friendly and cute songs, sheter transitioned to acting, steadily building her career as the next rom queen. It was my first time seeing Yu Jia as I hadnt had the chance before in my previous life. Refined, seated next to me, murmured. Wow, truly beautiful But a bit cold-looking. At least theres no one in The Dawn saying such things. That kind ofment was perfect for getting criticized on air. Just the right kind to create noise. The Dawn members pped silently with calm smiles. Hmm, a good attitude. Yu Jia nced around the room and then smiled slyly. Wee to Shining Star. Amidst the countless idol groups debuting each year, which group will survive? To determine the best, weve created this program. Yu Jia solemnly opened the show. Her provocative words had an effect, as some idols nervously swallowed. Ill exin the format of Shining Star. This program consists of six episodes. There will be three rounds ofpetition except for the first appearance performance. Meanwhile, Today couldnt hide their boredom as they already knew the format. I rolled my eyes quietly. The first and second rounds will have a small audience for on-site voting, but the final round will be live, leaving the vote to the nation. Yu Jia briefly finished the exnation, paused for an intentionally dramatic silence, and smiled brightly. But it would be heartless to focus onpetition from the start, right? There are people we meet for the first time today and some we dont. Are you nervous? Yes! Knowing youd feel that way, we prepared a simple icebreaker to help you rx. Icebreaker? For reference, its best to be suspicious when the broadcasting staff ims to do something out of goodwill. As expected, Yu Jia carefully read the script. We asked each group in advance to rank their group and give a reason for that rank Nightmares Lee Hanseong, do you remember? Ah, yes, yes! Could you share it with us? Nightmares youngest, Lee Hanseong, hesitated. He had written it down as requested but was worried it might be irreversible if it went on air. Maintaining silence was, frankly, an excellent response. Its difficult, very difficult I would have struggled to say it, too. If only the other party wasnt the production staff of an idolpetition show. So, Ill announce it on your behalf! Now, well reveal the group rankings each group predicted for themselves! Yu Jia grinned and pointed to therge screen behind her, where enormous text appeared. [Predicted Final Rankings of Each Group] Gasp. Were they really revealing this now? Like this? I couldnt help but let out a hollowugh. It seemed that everyone had written their answers thoughtlessly, and it showed. Clearly, the intention wasnt to ease the tension but to intensify it. Kim Heeyeon, what a spicy program youve created. Lol, revealing the final rank predictions, no conscience Is there anyone who would write 1st ce there? What are the producers thinking? The inte was already aze with headlines like these. Especially among idols and not trainees, doing this was like openly instigating a fight. Hoyun. Seong Jiwons face turned pale. I nced at him but then looked away. There was a total of five groups gathered here. Well, shall we get started? First up is Nightmares final rank prediction. Nightmare? 3rd ce No, no, it cant be! We shouldve thought more before writing! Nightmare members stirred as they appeared slightly embarrassed. So, Nightmare predicted 3rd ce I was lost in thought for a moment, and soon after, the rankings of other groups followed. Next is Refined. Refined? 2nd ce Maze? 2nd ce They had the same score. Did we rank ourselves too low? Only our group, The Dawn, remained quiet among the stirring members. I stared silently ahead. I felt like I knew the picture the production team was painting. I saw Yu Jia sneak a nce at Today. Yu Jia must know, too, that this program was rigged. Next, Today. Quite an unexpected result considering their poprity, right? Today? 5th ce Ah! Thats too much. What should we do if you reveal it like this! Todays members whined, and Kim Seonghyeons expression hardened. Todays members already knew they would be in 1st ce. The reason they whined like that was simply to appear humble on camera. Todays fans would praise their humble idols as if they were babies, withments like They didnt write a higher rank, theyre so kind and As expected, theyre humble. Yu Jia, a true professional, didnt let any expression show as she followed the script precisely. Its a real shame. We had high expectations for Today. We hope you achieve a higher rank than 5th ce. Yu Jia, who wrapped up neatly, curled her lips towards Today. Even Today, who most likely knew the flow of the event in advance, seemed to be fooled by her sincere acting. Is that what a pro looks like As I was quietly admiring, the next groups ranking appeared. The Dawn So, um. 1st ce I wrote that score with a certain meaning in mind. I silently stared at the monitor disying 1st ce with a crown beside it while someone beside me gasped for breath. Wow. Whats with the confidence? The reactions were understandable. Our group gained some popritytely, but it wasnt a score that could ce us firstpared to other idol groups. The mockingughter and silence in the studio felt like needles piercing my skin. Well. What could you do? Wow, thats impressive. The Dawn was the only group to write 1st ce. Could you give us a word about this? At Yu Jias bright smile, only Seong Jiwon nodded like crazy. In the end, I was the one handed the microphone by the staff. I looked slowly around the studio. The noticeably tense members of The Dawn, and Today, with their eyes full of scornfulughter. At the end of their gazes, I caught sight of Kim Heeyeon, whose thoughts I couldnt decipher. I opened my mouth. We wanted to be 1st so we wrote 1st ce. Overflowing with confidence? Do you have some hidden strategy? Well I took my eyes off Kim Heeyeon, looked at the camera, and gave a sly smile. Well show you on stage. Woo! As soon as I said those words, except for Today, cheers came from the other groups. I saw them imitating some kind of cheer and then sat back down. With a disgusted look, the members burst intoughter and shook their heads. This kind of confidence is great. We look forward to more. As I nodded toward Yu Jia, Kang Ichae chuckled and patted my shoulder. As the studio quieted down, Yu Jia made a mischievous face and raised the corner of her mouth. Now, we will perform our talents in the order we wrote them! ? We asked you to prepare talents in advance. Each group will have one person perform their talent. The Dawn, youll get two talent opportunities for writing 1st ce. The team with the most votes in the talent show will receive a benefit. A benefit? Everyone was dumbfounded. Yu Jia took a breath. Its a special, exclusive 15-minute segment. We n to broadcast it exclusively for that group. What?! Are you kidding me? If I were a fan watching Shining Star right now, I would have thrown the remote at this point. A mere talent show determined something like that. I nced at Todays members, and they lookedpletely baffled. They seemed to have not been informed of this. Hahaha! Kim Heeyeon wasughing behind the camera. She must have wanted all of us to get a taste of defeat. She really hasnt changed. Didnt we ask you to prepare? You should each show something. Ah, yes, yes. However We will exclude dancing and singing. You can showcase those on stageter. What? If we exclude dancing and singing, whats left? Idols have talent. Besides good singing and dancing skills, you need a special and unique charm that makes you memorable to the viewers. We decided thats talent. Yu Jia cut it off in one stroke. Fans would protest this. Anyway, Kim Heeyeon seemed to be nning to cause controversy by sacrificing someone, even if it meant burning the inte with manipted content. Well, I somewhat expected this. After writing first ce, The Dawn prepared their talent showcase to gain a softer image. I-Ill do this I wanted to cook. In the talent showcase? What do you want to eat? I wanted to build a gentle image, but Jeong Dajun looked at me like I was strange. Jeong Dajun was nervously fidgeting with his guitar case while I was thinking about the ingredients I had brought. Should I make a big portion to share with the cast and crew? We will do the talent showcase in a 3-minute time attack. ! Hyung, hyung. Ding! [Dont you want to eat the food Hoyun made?] You guys will regret it. I could have cooked something delicious. Ignoring the system message, Yu Jia gestured toward The Dawn. The stage was set, and the talent showcase began. Cold sweat trickled down. Then first, The Dawn,e forward. Damn, what talent can I showcase in 3 minutes? I nodded to the absent-minded Jeong Dajun. Gasp, am I going? Go. Do I really do this? Hyung, what about you? Im sorry, but please. I trust you. I didnt really trust him, but I needed time to figure out a n, so I lowered the corners of my eyebrows, and Jeong Dajun seemed touched by my gesture. You can trust me!! Ding! [Trash!] Yes, I was trash. Jeong Dajun hesitated momentarily before getting up with determination, eyes tightly shut, and picked up his guitar case. Once Jeong Dajun made up his mind, he swallowed hard, his nervousness audible. Oh He must know how to y the guitar. Im looking forward to it. Didnt they say we cant sing? Just ying the guitar might be a bit boring Ah, I really want that 15-minute broadcast. Comments flew around casually. The broadcast buildup was taking care of itself. Trembling, Jeong Dajun stepped onto the stage and tightly gripped the microphone with his shaking hand. Ah, hello. Im Jeong Dajun, the sub-dancer of The Dawn. Yes, Jeong Dajun. It looks like you prepared a lot, seeing whats behind you. Yes, yes. Jeong Dajun nodded cautiously. Yu Jia eased his tension with a smile. Lets see it, then. Jeong Dajun repeatedly clenched and released his sweaty hand before opening the zipper of the guitar case. ? The guitar case was empty. No, actually there was one thing. Uh? He pulled out a recorder lying alone in the empty case. With both hands tightly gripping it, Jeong Dajun boldly spoke. I will perform The Puppys Bell.[1] Thats right. We chose the path of variety. Variety is always the first priority, no matter what. Huh? Even with great skills, its useless if you dont get on the show. So, variety is always the first priority. The members, who initially dismissed my words, gradually became captivated. Even the most reluctant Kim Seonghyeonter joked about adding Kim to it. It was truly nonsense. Hehe, ahaha! Whether Yu Jias gag code was originally like this or she justughed out of the blue, genuineughter burst out. Jeong Dajun put the recorder to his lips. Do Mi Mi Mi Mi Mi Re Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa It was a beautiful melody. Mi Sol Sol Sol Mi Re Fa Mi Re Do~ Is this the Concours, a concours?[2] Whats with that expression~. Regardless of the surrounding reactions, Jeong Dajun was dead serious. He finished The Puppys Bell to the end and made a proud face as if he had decorated a billboard stage. Even wiping the sweat on his forehead was a perfect finish. Thank you. Its an honor. Haha, so cute, really. Yu Jia clenched her teeth to hold backughter. Satisfied with his own performance, Jeong Dajun left the stage without lingering. I was up next. Alright, decision made. I intercepted Jeong Dajun, who was trying to high-five, grabbed a chair, and went up on stage. Jeong Dajun wore a bewildered expression. Why, hyung? I need to borrow you for a moment, Jeong Dajun. You didnt mention this before! Life is more fun when you cant predict whats ahead. Huh?? Jeong Dajun tried to hold me back desperately, but I ignored him. I racked my brain while Jeong Dajun was showcasing his talent. Something impactful that I could show in 3 minutes, other than singing or dancing. A skit? I dont have a sense of humor. Strength? Im old and tired, without power. Alcohol tricks? Honestly, theyre impressive, but they invite criticism. Seo Hoyun, are you ready? What will you show us? I looked at the restless audience and slowly picked up the microphone. That left only one option. I practiced my talents relentlessly to fulfill my duty as a variety show PD and survive in a fiercelypetitive society. One of the skills I tried to showcase atpany dinners was I will do voice impressions. Huh? It was the ssic voice impression. Im a fan of all the previous Super Singer seasons. Ive always admired and appreciated. The Super Singer program was a show I diligently followed during my student and military days. In its third season, I was the youngest PD in the show, and I worked hard on its editing day and night. In that show, there was that judge whom everyone knew and who had already been impersonated byedians and celebrities. While editing, I had heard it dozens, if not hundreds of times I will impersonateposer Lim Hyeonsu, the Blue Tiger. Ourposer. [1] Its a Korean childrens song. [2] In this situation, Concours refers to a musicpetition.
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! Chapter 30 Chapter 30 I can already see Lim Hyeonsu grasping the back of her neck and falling. I apologize in advance. Hahaha, what will you do that requires an apology? It wasnt genuinely apologetic but an apology for broadcast purposes. I sat in a chair, brushed my hair back, and sighed with Lim Hyeonsus unique irritation, not forgetting to pick up the microphone. Jeong Dajun. Uh, yes yep. Why do you think rhythm exists? Jeong Dajun was taken aback. I-Im sorry. You shouldnt apologize to me but to the viewers. Watching such a low-quality performance during dinner time would make their appetite drop. Uhahaha! Yu Jiasughter burst out already. For reference, the lines I was saying were all said by Lim Hyeonsu before. Super Singer went up to Season 5, and since Lim Hyeonsu was a judge in all seasons, even other idols struggled to hold back theirughter. However, Jeong Dajun himself had tears welling up, shaking his head. It was unclear whether it was acting or genuine. Im sorry, I should have practiced the recorder more diligently. Diligently? Yes? If it could be done by working hard, why would talent exist? Ahahaha! Its so identical! Ah, no my cheeks hurt. At this point, Yu Jia was almost crying, her head on the table. It seemed that she had a close rtionship with Lim Hyeonsu as well. After destroying the production staff and the members, we ended the skit. How can you be so identical? Just watch the same edited version 30 times or more. Its because I admire that person. I turned my eyes to the camera. I hammered in the point that we were close to preventing any controversy. Ms. Composer, I admire you a lot. Thank you always! I crinkled my nose at the camera. Jeong Dajun, still seemingly scared of Lim Hyeonsu, bowed 90 degrees to the camera. It was funny to find outter that Lim Hyeonsus directment, Hoyun, lets not contact each other anymore, was captioned. Anyway, Yu Jiaughed for a while and then barely picked up the microphone. Ah, I would have voted for this if I had a voting right. I really enjoyed it. I think its the highest sync rate of Lim Hyeonsu impersonations Ive seen. Maybe because were acquainted, I was more immersed in it. Ah, my stomach hurts. Yu Jia mumbled and then suddenly raised her head. The next idols that appeared were very nervous and focused only on their image management, so they didnt get as good a response as us. Today was especially a highlight. Um I Yes, Yu Hyeok. Have you decided on your individual talent? Ill try to show aegyo, aegyo! Was he trying to resort to aegyo since he couldnt dance or sing? Well it wasnt a bad choice. If only this wasnt a teampetition audition program. Yu Hyeok winked while squinting his eyes and clenching his fist. Can I say ya? Can I say mine? Wow. We need a pet name that only we know. Honey, honey, so from today, youre mine! Can I close my eyes? Everyone rolled their eyes, quite flustered. Especially Todays hoobaes, who wondered how to react to Yu Hyeoks 30-second show. Watching Yu Hyeok finish with a finger heart and a biting action, I admired him. At least Yu Hyeok is trying hard! Wow. The only thing left on the set was a cold silence. Still, some polite hoobaes pped for Today. Cute. Hmm sunbaes are really different. Yu Hyeok, having done his part, bowed his head in embarrassment. Well, Todays fans might like it. Idol aegyo always left a good impression. But this wasnt the image the staff wanted in this fiercepetition program. Kim Heeyeon was already cursing with her eyes. I bet Kim Heeyeon will include this cheap scene whenever it airs. Ha ha ha well. That was some nice aegyo. Yu Jia couldnt add more on set but held up the next card with a deadpan () expression. Now, lets vote, shall we? The talent show voting proceeded with three rules:
  1. One cannot vote for their own group.
  2. Voting is conducted ording to the maximum member limit.
  3. The group with the most votes wins first ce.
I entered my vote on the pre-issued device, thinking the result was obvious. After a little while, when all the idols finished voting, Yu Jia cheerfully recited the predetermined lines. Now, lets see who will have the honor of exclusive additional broadcast time. She turned her back, and therge monitor hastily disyed some texts. Gulim font. It was a relief that it wasnt Gungseo font, but I would have fired the person in charge if it were me.[1] The Dawn! Woah! Hyung, additional broadcast! As soon as the group name was called, Jeong Dajun hugged me tightly. The other members surrounded us, making a fuss. It felt chaotic. Hey, calm down. Just calm down. After detaching myself from Jeong Dajuns hug and escaping from the other members, Yu Jia gave me a thumbs up, and Kim Heeyeons inscrutable expression shed. A face that said, I shouldnt be too happy. I looked away. Luckily, a break came just in time. Well take a short break before the next stage! And as soon as the camera light went off, Yu Hyeok, who seemed to be waiting, approached with a flushed face. Ah, sunbae. Hey, you punk. Despite being polite, a rough hand grabbed my shoulder. Wow. Kang Ichae eximed from beside me, even in front of the staff when the camera was off. Yu Hyeok chuckled. Did you n to make fun of me? Just as I was about to answer, Kang Ichae interrupted. Huh? What are you talking about? What about you? Sunbae, did we make youugh too much? It was unexpected for Kang Ichae to step forward. He was always justughing from the sidelines. Kang Ichae smiled brightly. Calm down, our Dajun will y the recorder for you again You punks! You knew beforehand, right? That I cant sing or dance for the talent show! By writing first ce, you would get two chances! You knew it all, didnt you?! Gosh, you only see what you want to see. I flicked my ear. Then, Yu Hyeok, who had been shing a mischievous nce, reached out instantly. It was the moment Kang Ichae, who was in the middle, opened his eyes wide. You,e here! I pushed away Yu Hyeoks hand. I then grabbed Kang Ichae and shoved him back. Huh? Step back. I gave Kang Ichae a hint, and he obediently moved away with a slight frown. There was no need for one of the members to get caught by such a guy. I could cover it anyway. Hey. What? Hey? Are you scared? ! If you were scared, you should have written first ce. Why are you taking out your frustrations on other people?[2] Yu Hyeok just mumbled after taking a hit. I wanted to provoke him more, but this was enough for now. Everyones attention was drawn to us. It was intentional and satisfying. The more it spread that The Dawn and Today were not on good terms, the better. I didnt expect Today to fan the mes like this. Yu Hyeok, this punk, was unexpectedly useful Dumb, though. You, you! He couldnt easily continue as he didnt expect his hoobae to speak casually, but I didnt miss the opportunity. Well, good luck. Well go prepare for our performance. Hey, hey arent you going to stay?! Ignoring him, I grabbed Kang Ichae and walked away briskly. I was expecting Kang Ichae tough and tease as always, but he was silent. I wondered if he was hit somewhere earlier, so I looked at him. Why? Did you get hit somewhere? No Kang Ichae looked at me with his eyes wide open. Then, he shrugged his shoulders and walked ahead. I wondered why he acted like that, but I had no clue. It must be puberty. I thought hed go first, but Kang Ichae suddenly turned around. What are you doing, lingering there, hyung? Lets get ready. Then he grinned wide enough to reveal his teeth. *** Kim Heeyeon assessed the atmosphere in the filming studio. The mood lightened up initially with the jokes, but adding extra broadcasts left everyone on edge. Behind the polite exchanges and forced smiles, there was an endless power struggle. The viewers wouldnt be oblivious to this. Its really a battlefield The fandom would criticize Kim Heeyeon when the show airs, but its unavoidable. No matter how much people talk about unity, creating controversy and sparking interest was essential for survival in the broadcasting industry. Its possible that this was all shes learned so far. Thats when Kim Heeyeons gazended on Seo Hoyun, who seemed calm among the tense and pretentious neers. Seo Hoyun, whats the deal with him? All cast members wore microphones, so even his casualment to Yu Hyeok was recorded. They would be in trouble if it had been recorded elsewhere, but why? Is he a golden spoon or does he have some secret? Kim Heeyeon couldnt help but be interested in Seo Hoyun. If handled well, it seemed like a good picture could be drawn, but did she really have to push such a young kid into the battlefield? Kim Heeyeon felt conflicted. PD. Ah, yes? The first mission stage will start soon. Everyone else will watch from the waiting room. Okay. Um As Kim Heeyeon listened to the ADs briefing, she suddenly spoke up. Thest performance is by Today, right? Yes. Change it to The Dawn. Today will perform right before them. Really? But investors and Todays fans wont be happy about that. Will they fire me for changing just one order? It wont show on the broadcast anyway. Kim Heeyeon red. The Dawn was more popr than Today, but still When Today performs, focus on The Dawns reactions, and vice versa when The Dawn performs. PD, are you suggesting? Yes. She was sorry. Kim Heeyeon ended up pushing these young people in their early 20s into hell. Feeling guilty, she envisioned the first episode in her head. Lets create a rivalry between the two. She had no intention of being bossed around by the agency. She couldnt change the winner, but at least she could stir up chaos. *** Yes? Are we thest ones? Hearing that the order had been changed, Kim Seonghyeons voice stuttered in surprise. He had been prepared to go on stage first. The cameras focused on his startled face. I sat back and chuckled. So, this is how ites out, Kim Heeyeon. There was a mix-up in the filming, so it turned out that way. Youre after Today. Okay, got it. Can you prepare? Yes. Its not like were being pushed forward. It might be a bit of pressure being thest, but good luck. I said that on purpose. At the wordsst and pressure, a storm of anxiety, worry, and apprehension swirled in Jeong Dajons eyes. H-hey, hyung. What do we do? What can we do? Seong Jiwon jumped up. We need to practice more. Ah, youre right. In that sense, Kang Ichae,e here. You dont seem to fit in here. Aaah! Kang Ichae was caught as the sacrificialmb. Everyone else turned their heads with an as long as its not me expression. As Kang Ichae was tormented by Seong Jiwon, Nightmares performance began. The stage was about Cindere and a girl group, with the lyrics telling them not to go home even after midnight. Dont leave, our party here is just starting. The lyrics were a bit old-fashioned, but the stage itself was well-decorated. Everyone was young, so they expressed the concept of a refreshing, youthful man telling them not to go home quite well. Theyre doing well. Wow, how did they do that? While the other members reacted enthusiastically, I secretly nced at the camera focusing on our group. Kim Heeyeons doing. Changing the order had a huge impact on the stage. It wasnt for no reason that music shows and year-end music awards pushed back the most popr idols. Even viewers who started watching in the middle could see it. It was a way to attract as many viewers as possible. The same was true forpetition programs. Even without the agencys influence, Today was likely to be scheduledst. They were more well-known than other groups. In terms of poprity, we would have been, at best, second or third. But in this situation, The Dawn was the fifth andst to perform, which would certainly cause bacsh amongst Todays fandom and the others. PDs pick or maniption? The real maniptor is someone else. Kim Heeyeon must have anticipated that but still decided to throw us into the fire. The more criticism we received, the better the ratings would be, of course. Todays stage ising up. Jeong Dajun mumbled. Suddenly, Seong Jiwon stopped staring at Kang Ichae and looked at the stage with an utterly serious expression. The group Seong Jiwon might have debuted with. The widely recognized hit song featuring White Cherrys beat started ying, adjusted to a male key. The popr concept of The Little Mermaid fitted them wlessly. How skilled were Todays members? Would they be good enough for their poprity? Right, okay, You captured me in an instant. The other members silently gazed at the stage intently. The dazzling stage effects under the bright lights, the fluttering pollen, and the costly set. After about three minutes, Todays members caught their breath and took their ending pose at the center of the stage. Well move now. Ah, yes. The camera turned off, and we silently walked through the dark corridor behind the stage. We ran into Todays membersing off the stage. Yu Hyeok narrowed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. Hey, did you see that? What? Honestly, you cantpete, can you? Have you ever worn something like this? Yu Hyeokughed. Their outfits were indeed luxurious from head to toe. Moreover, the extravagant beats and set design were honestly jaw-dropping. It was the power of arge entertainmentpany. Ah, sorry. You guys are from a lousy agency, so you dont have any support like this, right? Do you even have a practice room? Watch your words. Kim Seonghyeon stepped forward, visibly upset by Yu Hyeoks provocation. He quietly red at Yu Hyeok. I grabbed Kim Seonghyeons nape and pulled him back. Kim Seonghyeon muttered as he retreated. Yeah, our practice room is terrible. Honestly, we cantpete. Finally, you understand? Your skills are just too poor. ! Todays members skills werent bad. The stage wasnt bad either. It seemed like the camera captured them quite well, perhaps due to the money invested. But the sad thing was, these guys They cant do group projects. Ding! I wanted to stop there, but seeing the options appear, I couldnt help butugh. [Options:
  1. Too bad, sunbae You shouldve worked harder.
  2. Even if spoon-fed, you cant eat it, oh, next time
  3. Sunbae, your words were harsh just now. Please be more considerate in the future.]
Finally, an option appeared that was polite and reasonable, something I would usually say, but I didnt feel like choosing it. Even if spoon-fed, you cant ept it. Its truly a pity. What? [1] Gulim and Gunseo are both Korean fonts. [2] Seo Hoyun says, which literally means to get pped in Jongno and take out your anger in Han River. This Korean idiom suggests taking out ones frustrations on someone else.
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! Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Ah, just kidding. I winked with one eye. But knowing that it wasnt a joke, Yu Hyeoks face turned red from his ears. Even if arge corporation invested capital, what cant be done, cant be done. Fools. They couldnt see the bigger picture. Moreover, the song by White Cherry was so famous that it worked against them. Even when they mixed in the concept of The Little Mermaid, the result was still simr to White Cherrys original track, so it didnt stand out as unique. Todays members were talented, so they might be the talk of the town for a while, but the original performance was still much better. You, you! Well get going now! Nodding to the staff, all The Dawn members left, and Yu Hyeok missed his chance to argue again. Seeing his speechless face, I felt refreshed and went on stage in high spirits. Seong Jiwon also had a refreshing look on his face, as if he had downed a whole case of soda. The staffs bewildered voice was heard as the dazzling stage lights enveloped The Dawn members. Is their concept really Peter Pan? Yes, it is But why are they dressed as pirates? These costumes were deliberately hidden during the rehearsal. As I heard these words, I saw the corner of Kang Ichaes mouth rise. Before asking Lim Hyeonsu to arrange the song, we had a conversation amongst ourselves. In Peter Pan, theres not only Tinker Bell. Theres a character that fits our concept perfectly. Captain Hook? A pirate? Exactly. Actually, theres a story that Captain Hook is incredibly charming. He hates Peter Pan because he cut off his arm, but its said hes gentle to Wendy. Seong Jiwon added his opinion. So, are we pushing a story about a pirate falling for the other party? Thats the n. Like Girls Want You. A fresh and lively unrequited love song where the other person doesnt see me, but I still slowly approach and confess in frustration. Originally, the concept was based on cheerful American cheerleaders, but the arrangement could be changed at will depending on how you look at it. Tick-tock, tick-tock. The sound of a ticking clock flowed out. Traumatized by having their arm cut off by an alligator, the pirates, afraid of the ticking sound, covered their ears and crouched. In an instant, the stage brightened. Kwaang! At the sound of the cannon, everyones eyes widened, and Kang Ichae jumped over the members and burst onto the front of the stage. My fellow pirates, this is our show time! Swoosh- Ssh! With that, Seong Jiwon stood up. Instead of a clocks ticking sound, fierce waves crashing against the ship could be heard. The lively song changed to a bright and cheerful beat with a hint of a siren, making the day feel even more electrifying. Hello, let me greet you once, You there walking by, why dont you see me? Right now Im giving you the message. The song switched to a tempo that exuded the American high teen styles dangerous yet alluring scent. As expected of Lim Hyeonsu, her touch on the music was simply incredible. Kim Seonghyeon blocked Seong Jiwons path and smiled at the camera. Look at me, not the one beside you, Dont you think wed be a perfect match? Kim Seonghyeon raised one hand above his eyes, gesturing as if he were looking out at the distant ocean. At the same time, he showed a motion of turning his other hand, which was holding a key, to the right. It felt like he was swaying on a ship sailing across the ocean. Its not them, Ive said it so many times, Hes so selfish, Ill only look at you, making sure you wont regret it, Trust me. Jeong Dajun fiercely stepped forward. It was hard to believe he was the same person who had been trembling and ying the recorder just a moment ago. Its not them points to Peter Pan, and me refers to the pirate. As Dajun raised his hand, the camera moved upward and swiftly closed on me. I know youre wavering. I leaned against the set and brushed my hair back while looking at the camera. I approached with the sailors characteristic swaying steps and curled the corners of my lips into a smile. Eventually, youre meant toe my way, But dont make me wait too long. Kang Ichae held a pocket scope, blinking and pretending to observe. Suddenly, he stumbled and fell below. At the same time, the sound of something falling into the water could be heard. Kwoosh! As the bubbling sound echoed, the song reached its highlight. The lighting turned a deep blue like it was submerged in the ocean. Seong Jiwon walked forward with a swaying gait, clutching his throat and frowning as if he was drowning. I might just lose my mind in your smile, in your words, Ive already fallen for you. At the same time, Kim Seonghyeon slowly picked up the triangr hat on the ground, casually ced it on his head, and then opened his mouth. Maybe I cant do it anymore, Perhaps Ive already lost, But still, I muster up the courage and walk towards you. His gaze met Seong Jiwons. The final highlight. Leaving behind the bubbling sound, it rose above the sea. I really want you. In Like Girls Want You, the previously descending final note was raised to its highest. As soon as Seong Jiwon and my stable doubling ended, the refreshing sound of water apanied the vessels arrival to the surface, breaking the stages tension again. Kim Seonghyeon threw his hat up towards the now-brightened lights. Well, Kang Ichae, who caught the hat with the sharp tip of his sword, yfully whirled it around and shed a mischievous grin. It looks like I dont need fairy dust. At the same time, Jeong Dajun joined in and wlessly sang the hook. Its not them, Ive said it so many times, Hes so selfish, Ill only look at you, making sure you wont regret it, Trust me. Seong Jiwon must be going crazy with excitement. As we entered the group dance, the sound of sirens echoed, and a shy dance performance unfolded. Gradually, the beat slowed down, and the members rotated ordingly. Hello, let me greet you once again. Our bodies swayed left and right, following the ticking of a clock. We can do this together. Bang! Everyone flinched and copsed at the sound of gunfire, and the lights went out. It was the end of the story for the supporting character who loved the protagonist. The story that illuminated the supporting characters tale hade to a close. Silence filled the air. I thought it was because there was no audience, but I couldnt hear any reaction from the assistant director or the PD either. After maintaining our ending pose for a moment, the other members of The Dawn and I exchanged nces and slowly lifted our heads one by one. All the staff members looking at the stage were in shock. It must have been alright. Good job, everyone. Yes, good job. We bowed our heads first and greeted everyone. We then dusted off our hats and exchanged light greetings with each other. Then, my gaze met with the astonished PD, Kim Heeyeon, whose mouth was wide open but her eyes sparkling like she had discovered a gem. Thank you. This was just the beginning. *** Tomemorate the first filming of Shining Star, lets hope for a 1% viewer rating! Cheers! Cheers~!! Everyone burst intoughter. The manager said we didnt have to participate in such events, but how could we miss the first dinner party for the program? No way. The manager was cautious at such gatherings, barely sipping on his drink, but his eyes zed over as if drunk. Today, I, um, saw your stage, and it was so moving, I was in tears. How could I have neglected such talented kids! Manager, are you okay? Ahem! It seemed like he would cry no matter what I said. I tried to console him moderately but then handed the duty over to Kim Seonghyeon, who was sitting on my left and silently drinking. Kim Seonghyeon made a puzzled face. Why are you passing this on to me? Because youre reliable. Kim Seonghyeon sighed, patted the manager on his shoulder, and even brought him some water. Hmm, I knew he would do that. Next to him, Jeong Dajunughed as if he was intoxicated by the atmosphere, even though he was only drinking a regr soda. Manager, dont cry~! Dont cry, dont cry. Seong Jiwon pped his hands to the rhythm while trying to console the manager. Each group upied its own section of the restaurant to celebrate, but then one idol group enthusiastically approached us. It was Nightmare, the only group on the show who was The Dawns hoobae. Ah, hello! Hello! All The Dawn members stood up to greet our hoobae, Nightmare. Nightmares leader hesitated before stepping forward. Im Lee Hanseong. I wanted to say hello because I really loved your stage earlier. We also enjoyed watching Nightmares performance. One member started the conversation, and as they heard a somewhat cheerful reply, the rest of the members courageously approached and bowed 90 degrees. It was amazing. Also, your single was great too! Hmm. I decided to leave this to Seong Jiwon. When I pushed Seong Jiwon forward a little, he looked embarrassed but couldnt escape. No, no, you guys are more amazing. What are you talking about! The Dawn is more amazing! No, Nightmare is more! I needed to get out of this conversation quickly. Leaving Seong Jiwon behind, I sneakily walked to another table. I had something to say to PD Kim Heeyeon. As I walked, I saw the Today group chatting andughing with the staff. I tried to ignore them and pass by, but suddenly, their main vocalist firmly grabbed my arm. Hes drunk. Uh, arent you the ones who did thest stage? The pirates! Yes, thats right. Wow~! I was really surprised. The stageposition was so good. You should have a drink with us in celebration! Dont you think so? Thats right! Doing this in front of the staff was like asking for a fight. I debated whether to go along with it when Todays center grinned nastily. Or do you not want to drink with us? Are you afraid you will fall behind? Oh my The staff sensed the unusual atmosphere, and they opened their eyes wide and looked back and forth between us. I nced at the staff. Behind them, Kim Heeyeon was standing with a grimace that said, These jerks are at it again. My mind raced quickly. It was just a tiny provocation that I could ignore, but Hmm. It wouldnt be so bad to liven up the mood for once. I finished my thoughts and smiled brightly. No. Alright. But can you handle it? Maybe it was time to show them something interesting. . . . I shook the beer bottle in front of my ss. Gulp, I could even hear the sound of someone swallowing their saliva. Many sses wereid out in front of me. I lifted the beer bottle I had been shaking and aimed it at the sses. Swish! Wow! Seo Hoyun! Seo Hoyun! As the beer urately poured into the ss,pleting the bomb shot, everyone was ecstatic. I smirked and shook the ss as everyone got even more excited. What! I cant do that! An idol doing that kind of thing?! Seo Hoyun! Show us the next technique! Do you want to see it? Yes~! Ah your voice is a bit low. Uwu~! Really, do you want to see it? YES~!! The staff members were going wild. Having seen all sorts of techniques in the entertainment industry, they were amazed by this rookie idols performance. Seo Hoyun! Seo Hoyun! The already defeated Today members were bitterly cornered. Kang Ichae was in high spirits as heughed and cheered by my side. Next one. I stood up, opening the bottle cap with a spoon. The staff members held their sses, their eyes shining brightly as they waited. I deliberately used a snap to fill each of their sses from a distance. Wow! Me too! Please fill mine up as well! Ill go in the order of gratitude. Hoyun, I think Ive been good to you. No, I took better care of him! Seo Hoyun hadnt died yet. I proudly and diligently filled the sses. It seemed like I had utterly defeated the Today members. Kang Ichae excitedly hopped around andughed. Hyung, how on earth do you do this? Just learn it to death. But where do you learn something like this? Where else would I have learned it? I learned it at the broadcasting station while pleasing the director. I also learned to secretly pour soju into rice balls or soy sauce. However, I couldnt tell a neer like Kang Ichae. Ill be back after getting some fresh air for a moment. Hoyun, hurry back. Dilute my drink, please. I dont want to. Hahaha, youre so cold~. The staff membersughed and let me go. At least they properly set the mood, and it seemed the Dawn members received special care. As soon as I went outside, my body shivered. It was unexpectedly cold. Usually, I would have smoked a cigarette, but I couldnt now. Ding! [Why did you go out? Youre not even drunk.] I am drunk. [I saw you pouring it into the rice ball earlier.] Oh my. Thats possible. I was clear-headed and found mingling and responding to people bothersome, but there was a separate reason. I looked outside and saw the tip of a cigarette beyond the wall. As expected. I slowly approached, pretending it was a coincidence. Oh. Hello. It was PD Kim Heeyeon. She was holding a bottle of alcohol in one hand and gulping it down like water. Shes still the same, the same. Kim Heeyeon grinned without any embarrassment. You were truly wonderful. Thank you. Where on earth did you learn that? It shouldnt have been at your agency. Its a talent. Goodness Perhaps because of the alcohol, Kim Heeyeonsughter trickled. Anyway, Seo Hoyun, youll be very popr among our staff. I dont know about other groups, though. True. Your performance earlier was great as well. As an insider speaking, it was honestly the best one. Really? Really. Kim Heeyeon sighed. So, more ah, never mind. Just forget it. This kind of talk was a bit bitter. Our performance might have been the best, but it still wouldnt make us number one. Shining Star was a program where the first ce had already been decided to go to Today. Kim Heeyeon swallowed her words and drank the rest of the bottle. PD. Yes? You changed our order to thest one, right? I didnt do that. It happened because of issues with the filming schedule. Is that so? As she tried tough it off, Kim Heeyeon froze. She seemed worried that I had caught on to her intentions. Anyway, thank you. For what? Just for being grateful. That was exactly what I wanted. At that moment, Kim Heeyeons eyes wavered as if she was thinking, No way. But then a sharp voice came from behind. Whats the deal with Seo Hoyun and her? It was Today.
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! Chapter 32 Chapter 32 Main vocalist and Yu Hyeok. I dont know, that jerk is so annoying. Im already irritated because of Seong Jiwon, and now hes picking fights over every little thing Hey, whats going on between Seo Hoyun and the PD? What do you mean? The person in question was right here. Kim Heeyeon looked at them with a scary expression. First the talent showcase, and then the special broadcast Even the final stage changed. Do you think theirpany bribed her or something? Nah, thats not it. Then its obvious. Seo Hoyun is attached to the PD Kim, and she is covering for him. Ah, I see. That must be it. Ding! [How pathetic] Even the systemmented. Thats right. They could only see what they wanted and were so caught up in their biases that they spewed nonsense. I didnt care if another dirty rumor about me was added to the mix, but I didnt want it to affect Kim Heeyeon. I was about to step forward when Are you having fun? I turned around towards the murmuring voice. Kim Heeyeon had been faster. Crash! The sound of a bottle breaking was heard. Kim Heeyeon was holding a half-broken bottle in her hand. The main vocalist and Yu Hyeok froze as he saw the broken bottle. Hello there. Kim Heeyeonughed insincerely. It wont be a good time P-PD!! In their confusion, Today couldnt even muster a proper greeting. Kim Heeyeon leaned the broken bottle against the wall and slowly made her move. Squeak! The hair-raising sound echoed in the alley, and the red light from the signboard reflected on her left cheek, making her gaze even colder. The crazy PD of this area had appeared. What kind of interesting conversation are you having? P-PD. Let me join in, okay? Yu Hyeok managed to regain hisposure and made a pathetic face. We didnt mean it like that. First, calm down Calm down? Yes, yes. So, please put that down first Kim Heeyeons smiling lips deepened further. Honestly, I was scared too. Do you know my nickname? ! If you dont know, youre a spy.[1] Right, noona? Todays face paled slightly. Perhaps they knew what it was. Kim Heeyeon hummed elegantly. Its the crazydy of tvK Broadcasting Station. Do you know why I got that nickname? Uh, no, I dont. Once, I was invited to apany dinner and the main CP[2] pretended to identally touch my hoobae Ive heard this story several times through rumors, but it was my first time hearing it directly from Kim Heeyeons mouth. She continued, not even paying attention to me. So, what did I do? I poured soju over the CPs head, telling him to sober up. But he asked what I was doing, so I threw a rice ball in his face. P-PD. Then, he threatened to cut me, so I went straight to the manager, but he told me to endure it. So, I went to the section chief. Again, he told me to suck it up. So I finally went to the director. And I told him It was a famous line that spread secretly among the broadcastingworks. Even I, who was standing behind her, slowly recited the line. If you dont quickly deal with this pervert If you dont quickly deal with this pervert Gulp. Today also swallowed nervously. the 9 oclock news tomorrow will be about his dead body. Wow! Honestly, I was so impressed by that story that my heart pounded. In the end, he was fired~. Hahaha! Sheughed hysterically and twisted her neck from side to side. What do you think? Should we make one more breaking news? Were sorry!! Were sorry!! Today bowed deeply and then quickly left. It was as if they had encountered a notorious serial killer. Although I found the situation exciting and enjoyable, I was worried about being alone with the excited Kim Heeyeon. Should I run away too? Seo Hoyun. Yes! I politely put my hands together. Kim Heeyeon clicked her tongue, looking displeased. Dont hang out with those kids, Seo Hoyun. Its not good at all. Yes, Ill be careful about that. Good, thats a relief. Damn it. I carefully took the bottle from her hand. Ah! Be careful!! I checked for injuries and carefully gathered the broken pieces, throwing them away in the garbage can next to us. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me. Seo Hoyun, let me be honest with you. Yes. Those kids who are showing off over there will take first ce. Its already been decided. Im telling you this because my conscience is pricking at me. So, Seo Hoyun, dont try too hard; just aim for 2nd ce. If you gain some recognition like that Yes, I know. At least it would be better Wait, you know? I silently nodded my head. Kim Heeyeons face turned pale, and she began to chatter nervously.[3] Where on earth did you hear that? The world is small, after all. No, when did you know? From the beginning. And you still wrote 1st ce in your expected ranking? Are you crazy? No, Im not crazy. I dusted off my hands and looked at Kim Heeyeon. It seemed like she was trying to figure out if I was crazy or not. Like I said, PD. I told her I would be fine, even if I were to be treated poorly. I gave her a faint smile. Im going to be 1st. I will make it so. But for that, I need your help, PD. What? Hey, I told you. I cant do that. I dont have the authority. You will have it soon. Not too long from now. There was nothing more to be gained by saying more. I said my farewell to Kim Heeyeon and went back inside the restaurant. Jeong Dajun, who knew nothing, greeted me warmly. Hyung! Uh-huh. Where were you? I searched for you for a long time. My ignorant members. Honestly, I was sorry. You were looking for me? But I hid my true feelings and smiled brightly. What, what is that? That sweet tone. Its upsetting I ignored the shivering Jeong Dajun. *** [The Dawn appears on Shining Star Will they take on Today?] [The Dawn vs. Today, what will be the result?] Whats wrong with these bastard reporters? Like any other day, the office worker was furious after being tormented by her boss. Her demeanor was so intense that she appeared capable of unleashing her wrath on anyone who crossed her path. However, one source offort for her was The Dawn, which had been making appearances for quite some time now. Whats with this guy? Crazy So handsome The fan was shedding tears as she saved a preview clip of Seo Hoyun on Shining Star but became furious after reading an article. What will they do if they go against Today? Their fandom is famous for being extremely toxic! Frankly, Today was more popr than The Dawn. To her, however, the character of Todays members seemed to have deteriorated. Despite a circting clip of Todays members rolling their eyes and saying Ah, really during a fan signing event, their fans turned a blind eye and ignored the incident. The Dawn is way better looking! She wanted to see Yun, so she pleaded for them to hold a fan meeting! She was so ready to spend money! Why was she making money like this right now! The only reason she was still working after hours and nodding to her bosss requests was to earn enough money to support The Dawn. She managed to ignore all kinds of provocations while grinding her teeth. Thats when it happened. Her timeline was in chaos. As she checked what was happening, she jumped up from her seat. [The Dawn? Like Girls Want You] Pre-release?! Shining Star released a sneak peek. The three-minute stage was condensed into a video that wasnt even a minute long. Taking a deep breath, the fan pressed the y button. [My fellow pirates, this is our show time!] It was Kang Ichae who opened the door of the opening. Ah, Kang Ichae, really! Her heart felt constricted. A pirate costume, seriously? This years K-pop has beenpletely torn apart by The Dawn. As the office worker clutched her heart, the ticking sound of a clock and the sight of Seo Hoyun tilting his head appeared. [Hello, let me greet you once.] Aah! Hoyun! Her chest hurt. Sob, sob, sob. Seo Hoyun seemed to be overflowing withposure, not knowing if he understood the fans feelings. He approached unsteadily within the screen and said with a smirk. [I know youre wavering. Eventually, youre meant toe my way.] Hoyun, Ill go Ill go now [But dont make me wait too long.] Ill go right away!! As she grabbed her wallet and was put into a frenzy by herself, the 45-second preview ended. The office worker stared at the ck screen for a while, shedding tears from the lingering emotions. Themunity was already in chaos. [What, did I just listen to Like Girls Want You??????] [Isnt this crazy??? Its so different, it used to be cheerful and refreshing but a bit nd, and now its so spicy! A pirate with a tough exterior and soft interior hanging on me, my tongue is on fire] [Hey, I thought this was a fairy tale concept, guys Picking Peter Pan was honestly awesome, but then they bring in a pirate concept? Isnt that telling Peter Pan not to go??? I wont go, its totally possible.] [I just pped Peter Pan, hayah. Lol Thats a new level of nonsense.] [Barehanded crocodilebat is totally possible.] [I must confess, I want to die stuck in Seonghyeons dimples. Get a grip.] Everyone was excitedly having a nonsense parade. But suddenly, a strange post appeared in themunity. [Title: Whats this? The Dawn is PDs Pick? Just looking at it, you know its PDs Pick. Theyre really appearing together with Today, so that they could generate articles and controversies I knew something felt off from the beginning. Today wasnt meant to go up against those scrappy teams Right? I thought their agency was insane for having them, the previous first-ce winners,pete there At least, its over if you exclude Maze and Refined Especially with The Dawn, thinking theyre on the same level as Today just because theyve recently be popr and appearing together with those nobodies is pathetic.] Shoot. An aggro was triggered. In cases like this, theres a high probability its not a Today fan. Even if there were extreme Today fans, they wouldnt start a fire in such a publicmunity. The moment The Dawn fandom falls for such provocation, it would turn into a full-fledged fan war on both sides. She hurriedly left ament. It began with I like Maze [Todays stage was also good The Dawn did well too.] Im sorry, Maze fans Honestly, I dont know if Todays stage was good, but I desperately tried to cover for them. [LOL, you like The Dawn? When a Maze fan starts with I like Maze Thats transparent.] Gasp! I made a mistake in my haste. I quickly tried to take down the post and scramble, but the aggro had already been drawn to the original post. [Title: Honestly, what does Today have in terms of skills or personality? Its all thanks to their agency, right? Those famous ones are so annoying The Dawn is better. At least they help grandmas Are you kidding? Comparing them to those nobodies? Honestly, if you saw the pre-release this time, you wouldve thought The Dawn was their senior ~~ Today covered White Cherrys Lemon Love, and it was an eyesore Inparison, The Dawn is like a fairy, a fairy~ Thats some crazy talk, you crazy person.] Its ruined. It was a total disaster. With themunitys response spreading uncontrobly, their secret SNS ounts were already spewing curses. This was a bad situation. Meanwhile, Shining Stars official ount callously released the audience application notice. [Round 1 Audience Application Form] No, it wasnt callous. This was a deration of war. If you dont want to kill us, apply ande a deration of war. Damn those producers. I, I have to go. Today fans must never upy the audience. She had to save her kids. She began to flood SNS with audience application posts. *** Our first episode is a weekter? Yes. Were moving quickly. Filming was dyed, so we have to finish by episode 6. The final round is going to be live. The staff briefly exined. It worked out even better. The Dawn members nodded as we sat around a conference table at tvKs broadcasting station. Yes, understood. I wonder if many people wille to our performance. Seong Jiwon expressed his concern. There will be a lot of people. Though the size of the fandom was still small, there would be fewer than Today fans. The staff carefully observed our reactions. It seemed they would beparing us to Today. As you know, The Dawn previously took first ce in the talent show, right? So, in the first episode, you will have a special 15-minute segment. Wow! Jeong Dajun pped his hands with an innocent smile. Kim Seonghyeon and Kang Ichae also high-fived and grinned. The more they acted like that, the more the inte would be aze with controversy with titles like Isnt The Dawn really annoying? . I should tell the members not to look on the inte. I will announce the first-round mission. Yes! The first round is your representative hit song. Our reactions turned sour in an instant. We only had one single and our debut album from before. We only had two songs. The judgment will be based on audience voting, judge voting, and the contestants own voting. And among those, the group that takes first ce will be given special authority. Authority? Yes. Youll find out when you go on stage. So, the first round will be the day after the first episode airs. There are eight days left. Thats quick. Yes. Thank you. The staff left, and now only the camera remained. Kim Seonghyeon let out a hollowugh. Theres only one stage and we only have two songs. So, we dont have to take too much time to choose. Its good that its fast. Ahaha. Seong Jiwon tried to smile, but his face was bitter. While the recent single did well, the response to our debut album was virtually nonexistent. Well, weve narrowed it down to Second Chance and our debut song Glow. Since Second Chance is more popr. To gain a reaction on site, we have to choose a better-known song, no matter what. Um, guys. Kim Seonghyeon, who had been quietly massaging his chin and lost in thought, cautiously began to speak to the members. Yes. Actually, I want to do our debut song. [1] The phrase is a Korean proverb that trantes to if you dont know, youre a spy. It is often jokingly used to encourage someone to stay informed about everyday things. Or, as is the case in this scene, also used to gently tease someone who appears uninformed about something. [2] CP, or chief producer, is the highest-ranking PD in a broadcastingpany. [3] Kim Heeyeon actually said . This Korean idiom literally trantes to to bake bread with ones mouth. It is used to describe someone who talks excessively or is just boasting.
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! Chapter 33 Chapter 33 I was very satisfied. No need to say anything. As I watched quietly, the other members all had surprised expressions. To be honest, our debut song was indeed a flop. It was a huge flop! Our recent single had a great song, and the response was overwhelming, so well get points for that but Im just worried about our debut album. Kim Seonghyeons honest remark darkened Jeong Dajuns face. Thats right. Back then, we tried so hard, but it didnt work out well. We practically never slept and stayed in the practice room constantly. Right. Our manager was really upset too. Yes, I think that song is also very good. And for the fans who have been with us since the beginning I think it will be a great stage. Very good, Kim Seonghyeon. He showed his delicate side here. I smiled contentedly at the tear-jerking story that was caught perfectly on camera. I also agree with doing the debut single. So, unanimous agreement? Lets just think of a new concept. Concept? We watched The Dawns Glow stage. The concept was a naive male student making endless advances toward his first love. After watching, Seong Jiwon gave his evaluation. Ah, there should have been a better expression there. I didnt get the angle of my right arm right. The human protractor has appeared. Seong Jiwon was murmuring without a break, so Kang Ichae made a light joke. The camera director filming The Dawn couldnt help butugh. Compared to the Second Chance, this performance was weak. Right. Since its apetition, we need something that can be grasped tightly. Do you mean changing the concept? I think our story wascking. And it needed impact. Oh, Jeong Dajun hit the nail on the head. Youre right. The concept itself isnt the problem. I think its fine as it is. The problem is, as Dajun pointed out, the story. I pounded the table. It was vague, we knew it was about first love, but we had no idea what the situation was. We didnt know who we were, why the other person was so great, or why our friends were trying to stop us. Jeong Dajun frowned as he sank into deep thought. It didnt suit him. We just needed to fill in the gaps. But what were they? Theres no persuasiveness in the story. Thats why itcks impact. I have an idea! Jeong Dajun suddenly raised his hand. Oh? It was even more unexpected. After all, it was Jeong Dajun, the one who hesitated to give his opinion during the first intro stage and was instead rolling on the floor because it was too difficult. As Kim Seonghyeon nodded, Jeong Dajun spoke with excitement. I recently watched a really fun movie. Its called Twilight. Ah. I know it. Its an old movie, right? Yes! In that movie, the protagonist approaches the other person while hiding their identity. This could work even without Jihyeon. Everyone listened intently to the interesting story. What if we apply that to this song? Then we can write the lyrics like this. Ah, thats a good idea. So, for this stage, the choreography would be like this. The Dawn members excitedly went ahead with their own nning as soon as the concept was decided. I must have been mistaken. They werentcking in star quality. Being stuck in a small-to-medium-sized agency, they just didnt have the environment to express themselves. I listened to even the most minor ideas and carefully wrote them down in my notes, looking at the seeminglyplete scenario. Okay. Jeong Dajuns idea is adopted. Really? Jeong Dajun was so surprised that he opened his mouth wide, then started pouring out ideas excitedly, asking about this and that. After writing down all of that, I organized the schedule. We have to prepare the stage in 8 days. Since its entirely new, well have to memorize the choreography by then, and the arrangement should bepleted in at least two days. Should I use Lim Hyeonsus chance now? It seemed like I was already using too many. As I was thinking and clicking my pen, Kang Ichae nced at me. Guys, Dajun. Yeah. Can I do the arrangement? Whats this about? I quickly looked up. Kang Ichae gave an awkward, slightly bashful smile. Do you know how to arrange music? Well, I dabbled a bit and learned a lot from aposer recently. After that, Ive tried it a few times on my own So thats why Lim Hyeonsu was so enthusiastic about it. What should I do? I twirled my pen as I considered Kang Ichaes potential. My principle was to be as stable as possible. Although he was slightly embarrassed, ambition shone in Kang Ichaes eyes. A face that yearned to give it a try. When Kang Ichaes sensitivity and the participation of one of the members in the arrangement were revealed, it would make for a beautiful picture on the broadcast. Plus, there was a very slight trust towards Ichae. I think its a good idea? As I spoke slowly, Kang Ichae seemed relieved and smiled. I dont know when you had time to study that. Did you even have the time? Its just, you know, Ive tried a little bit. Kang Ichae scratched his head. The decision was passed to Kim Seonghyeon. Im fine with it. Im just sorry I cant help. Hahaha, hyung. Dont say it like that. Then I will really bring the best~. Kang Ichae scribbled on a memo with a bright smile and excited aura. Since we dont have time, Ill arrange the choreography. Kim Seonghyeon said with a determined expression. In fact, even if we had the time, it was evident that the broadcastingpany would not pay for creating the choreography. Whether Kim Seonghyeon knew it in advance or volunteered for it, our worries about the choreography were put to rest. He had been arranging choreography all along. Then Ill consult with Ichae and decide on the vocals. Ill filter this and pass it on to the nning and production teams. Honestly, our teamwork was good. It felt great to be so in sync after so long. Jeong Dajun rolled his eyes. Then, what should I do? Should I cheer? Or run errands for you guys? Dajun. I gently ced my hand on his shoulder. It had been a million years since I called him so affectionately, and his eyes shook from the surprise. What do you mean? Youre the center. Me?! Not Jiwon-hyung or Hoyun-hyung?! Its obvious with this concept. Ah, I was thinking of Dajun too. You have to set the mood well. As the hyungs yfully teased him, a clueless Jeong Dajuns face turned pale with pressure. Suddenly, his eyes sparkled with determination, and he clenched his fist tightly. I will be the face of this team! Thats right, youll make us proud. I chuckled as I scanned the finalized n. Preparations for the stage wereplete. Ding! [Dont do anything strange] When did I ever? Now, all that was left was to scheme. *** Uh, huh? Hello. I approached the Maze member with a smile. Was he the center, or was it the lead vocal? Anyway, the Maze vocalist, whom I met at the broadcasting station, greeted me with a surprised face as I approached. I heard The Dawn members had already left. Whats going on? Ah, I have something to ask you, sunbae. Sunbae um, just speakfortably. Were the same age, right? I will also speak informally. Wemunicated more smoothly than I thought. No, I actually approached him because I knew we could get along. I sat on the bench where he was and handed him a can of ion beverage. Yeah, why not. Want a drink? Uh, thanks. Why is he being like this? he seemed to think. But I could be friendly to people when I needed something from them. Are your preparations going well? Did youe to me just to ask that? No, this is for breaking the ice. What? Haha, youre really straightforward. The Maze vocalist widened his eyes and burst intoughter. He was known for his easygoing personality, and it seemed urate. I silently smiled and took a sip from the can. What do you want to ask after breaking the ice? I was curious about something. What? I saw itst time. You badmouthing the Today members. Thats right. Maze was the one caught badmouthing when Today won first ce on a show. To be exact, he had said, Why do people like those guys? Their personalities are just bad. Why did you say that? Im curious. I said it calmly. Mazes vocals looked at me with eyes filled with suspicion, as if he was wondering what my intentions were. Why are you so curious? I just dont like them either. I want to talk behind their back, you know. Of course, there was another purpose. His eyebrows raised in suspicion. Speaking of which I remember you almost got into a physical fight with themst time. That was satisfying. That sunbae really seems to dislike me. Yeah, well, everyone knows I dont get along with Today anyway. Its public knowledge. Really? What coulde out of this? Todays members are infamous for their terrible personalities. They treat their fans like personal ATMs, yet the fans just suffer and die for them. All because they dont want to damage Todays image. Ah, what was love, really? Fans covered for their idols even when they were treated like money-making machines Its just I couldnt help but feel sorry for Todays fans. But theres more. Theyre regr club-goers. They cant possibly behave themselves there. If you dig deeper, youll find more. Club, Today, and Ah. I think I got the gist. If I check out the club once, Ill quickly find out whether its a source or not. I remembered someones number in my head. Even with just these keywords, it should be enough to dig deeper. After all, poking around where gossip lived will make peopleugh. Of course, I was making good use of it as well. Wow, they really are such disgusting and pathetic people. Thanks for telling me. The Maze member didnt seem to know that Today was the frontrunner yet. But there was no need to tell him that. I was about to wrap up the conversation when he grabbed my arm. But why are you asking me? Huh? You could ask Seong Jiwon. He would know better. Seong Jiwon was in the same agency but probably knows nothing about Today now. No, thats not what I meant. He locked eyes with me, nced around, and then scrunched his nose. You dont know, do you? What did he mean? As I frowned, he looked pretty ufortable and hesitated before finally whispering. Todays members are involved in sponsor problems, you know. Seong Jiwon was originally in a powerful debut group, but he left because he didnt like that. Its quite well-known. He quickly wrapped up the conversation. Talk to Seong Jiwon. Its better than hearing it from someone else. Just dont tell him I said it. Alright. Yeah, lets both do well in thepetition. I stayed sitting on the bench for a while after Mazes vocals left. It all made sense now that Seong Jiwon thought this was hisst chance, even though he had the face and talent. Its all because of those awful people. Parallel universes or whatever, the evil in society still ran rampant, and it made me furious. I was desperately craving a cigarette right now. There are so many scumbags in this field. Why did I suddenly feel so disgusted? Instead of pulling out a cigarette, I downed an electrolyte drink in one shot and threw it in the trash can. I needed to talk to Seong Jiwon.
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! Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Why are you looking at me like that? No. Seong Jiwon opened his eyes wide as he practiced. Looking at him again, he was too good to be in a small agency like this. His face was as handsome as a top idol, his singing was unquestionable, and his dancing was one of a kind. It was clear. He must have wandered around after being noticed by arge agency, only to end up in a ce like this. Better to suffocate here than die over there. That must have been how he felt before. Seong Jiwon knew everything. He knew there would be nowhere to go if he was pushed out of here. Thats why he called it thest chance at first. The world was cruel and dirty. But there was no need to bring it up now. I cant quite figure out the pitch here. Huh? You, Hoyun? Whats going on? Youre our pitch machine. Just show me. As the subject changed, Seong Jiwon passionately exined everything while looking at the lyrics written on the paper on the practice room floor. You must urately raise thest note here. Its from La to Do sharp, but it would be nice if we had a piano well, lets just use an app to listen. Can you believe it? A talent agency without an electronic piano The more I looked, the more he seemed like a good guy. He passionately taught without showing any hint of displeasure. Its kind of annoying for some reason. While rubbing my forehead and thinking about yesterdays conversation, Kang Ichae burst in with a loud noise, followed by a smug Kim Seonghyeon. Guys! Hey, the practice room door is going to break. Are you going to fix it? If the practice room door breaks, well practice with it broken. Itd be nice and cool. Kang Ichae shamelessly walked towards where Seong Jiwon and I were sitting, then plopped down and opened theptop hed brought. I tinkered with it yesterday, you know? I even calledposer Lim Hyeonsu and confirmed it. She said it was better than expected, although she did curse a little Anyway, we got the final okay! Uh, okay. Ding! [Whats with the passion?] While Kang Ichae seemed to be working hard, he was also leisurely andid-back. He always had a bystanders perspective and acted aloof, but this time, he showed a more proactive side for the first time. Listen to this. First of all, our debut single, Glow. As Kang Ichae yed the song, even Jeong Dajun, who had copsed in the corner, rushed over and pricked up his ears. The song began with the sound of footsteps and a door opening. Following this, the melody gave off a more mature feeling than the original, refreshing with a lively high-teen vibe. It also had a unique charm and a slight twist at the end, which was appealing. And secondly, for oureback song, Second Chance. Oh, no, it should be called Second Opportunity, right? Since thats the concept. Kang Ichae grinned and yed the next song. This one had apletely different concept. It kept Lim Hyeonsus signature beats but added sound effects for a dreamier and more sentimental atmosphere. The members who listened to the song fell silent. Why, why? Kang Ichae was visibly flustered by the silence filling the practice room. Dont you like it? Should I make some more adjustments? I thought it was okay. Ichae. Lost in thought, Seong Jiwon called out to Kang Ichae. Ichae rolled his eyes. Are you a genius? Huh? Wow I had no idea Ichae had this talent. Ichae, you really made a great choice. I cant even believe its our song. As thepliments flooded in, Kang Ichae slowly blinked and then grinned. He put his hand on his chest and giggled. Ah~, Im scared of my own talent At this rate, wont I beposing a Billboard No.1 song? Ignore him. Ichaes always like that. Everyone joked about Ichaes sudden mood swings, but the songs were genuinely impressive. I thought about the ability stat that appeared on the system window. Perhaps Kang Ichaes characteristic was just that. I listened to Ichaes arrangements first and thought about the choreography beforehand. Well start with these positions. Kim Seonghyeon exined as he drew lines on a piece of paper. As he did so, Jeong Dajun, who had been silently watching, suddenly raised his hand. Hey! Yeah? I cant understand the dance moves from your drawings. Oh, fine, get up. Ill show you myself. Kim Seonghyeon sighed deeply and pushed the paper and pen aside. He started to demonstrate the dance moves. We followed Kim Seonghyeons movements one by one, and soon all of us were in sync. And all the while, Kim Seonghyeon kept scolding me harshly. Seo Hoyun! Seo Hoyun, thats not your spot! Seo Hoyun! I know my name is Seo Hoyun. If you know, thene quickly when I call you. Ugh. It seemed like Kim Seonghyeon caught the practice bug from Seong Jiwon. I replied silently. And although I practiced tenaciously, I still couldnt win Kim Seonghyeons heart. Well, its because my stats were like this. [You are viewing Seo Hoyuns stats. Seo Hoyun is a rookie idol in the Shining Star talent show who has recently gained some poprity. Singing: A Dance: D+ Variety: B+ ??: ?? ???: ??? Charm: B+] What changed? From D- to D+. A very small growth. Why isnt it working? Maybe its because Hoyun doesnt have much stage experience? Huh? Well, the feeling is different when youre actually on stage. He might not be able to get the hang of it because of theck of practice in real situations. But its not like we can go on stage right now. Well, thats true. Hey, quest window Please help me out. Please Just as I was thinking that, I heard a notification for the first time in a while. [Quest Arrived! How pathetic! This is a surprise gift from the system window taking pity on yer Seo Hoyun. Hold a surprise guerri performance and gather 500 audience members. Sess: Dance D+ C- Failure: Dance D+ F-] I sprang to my feet. If I couldnt take advantage of this opportunity, I might as well be a member of Today. Hey, guys. Yeah? Why cant we find a stage to perform on now? Everyone looked puzzled. *** [Join us today at 7 PM at Sanghodong Hosan Park for The Dawns guerri performance! Were looking forward to seeing you all there! #The_Dawn # #GuerriPerformance] Let me check the mic over there! No, save that outfit forter! How many people are gathered here now? Yes? The sudden guerri performance was being promoted through various SNS with group photos and promotional messages, spreading at an rming rate. I kept murmuring the lyrics as Jihyeon approached me with a sly smile. Seo Hoyun, are you ready? Ah, yes, Lee Jihyeon. Thank you for humoring us with this sudden request. Ha Hahaha. Lets hope it goes well today! Despite knowing I shouldnt expect much, I brushed it off lightly. Is Jihyeon really good at her job? When I brought up the subject at the office, she scrambled without hesitation to promote it on SNS. She contacted all the rental facilities and seeded in securing a stage. These happened so quickly that argepany would never operate this way. Its actually better to be a small one in some cases. Really, if it goes well today, Ill make sure to tell the CEO to give you a bonus. Seo Hoyun you really know how to be mean, dont you? The chances of a recently debuted idol asking the CEO for a bonus and receiving one were slim. Jihyeon knew this as she was on the lower end of thepany hierarchy. Still, she didnt seem to dislike my attempts to thank her in any way I could. Seeing Jihyeons subtle smile as she refocused on her work, I looked around and chuckled. Everyone in the makeshift waiting room under the tent was busy reviewing their parts. At that moment, a staff member rushed into the tent. The Dawn, are you guys ready? Yes. As we gathered, Kim Seonghyeon looked at me. I knew Hoyun was reckless, but I didnt think itd be to this extent. Sometimes in life, you must take off your shoes and jump in. Well enjoy being on stage, at least. Guys, guys. Jeong Dajun licked his lips, his face pale. It wont be likest time, with no one there, right? At least ten people will show up, wont they? Uh. Why? Do you remember our guerri performance after releasing our debut single? Did we even have ten audience members then? Right, half of them were just passing by. But it was still touching to have at least five peoplee and watch us. Seong Jiwon smiled gently, and the promotional team diligently captured his smile. Not too long ago, he used to be sweet and innocent, but now, he was starting to show a more mature side. Put your hands together. Alright but we still havent decided on a slogan, huh? Lets juste up with something quickly to lift our spirits. I dont like this kind of haphazard operation. Jeong Dajun grumbled with a pout. We were surprised that he knew the word haphazard.[1] We all gathered our hands,ughing. Lets go, lets go, fighting! Then lets go. As we left the tent, hairspray followed us. When we stepped outside, the staff handed us microphones and guided us to the stage. The moment we stepped on stage, we were honestly astonished. Wo! Guys! The Dawn! The Dawn! Countless people were filling the park. Hasty staff members were struggling to hold back the crowd, sweating profusely. Our appearance was met with even louder cheers. This crowd wasnt just a few hundred people. At least a thousand or more seemed to be present. Some people appeared to join the crowd out of curiosity, but more than half were our fans as they waved our banners. Guys, lets greet them. Greet them. Kim Seonghyeon quickly gathered himself and encouraged us. We hurriedly brought the microphones to our lips and bowed. Hello, we are The Dawn! Wo! After we each finished our greeting, Kim Seonghyeon seemed somewhat tense, licking his lips with his tongue. Today is cold, and we appreciate you all gathering here. To be honest, we didnt know if you woulde It was quite a surprise. A while ago, Jeong Dajun couldnt decide whether ten people woulde or not. Ah, no! Thats not it, thats not it! Jeong Dajuns face turned pale, and Kang Ichae corrected him. I nced at the staff and began speaking to the audience. Youve alle in such great numbers Im sorry that we dont have many songs to perform for you today. Its okay! Its okay! Just seeing your faces is enough. Hoyun! Did you eat yet? Iughed at the words that burst from the audience. Well, being Korean, I eat three meals a day. Hoyun-hyung is always nagging us to take care of our meals. Thats right. Every time we meet, he asks if Ive eaten. Of course. No matter what youre doing, you should always eat. As I shamelessly shrugged my shoulders, Seong Jiwon picked up the microphone. Were taking good care of ourselves, so we hope our fans eat well too. Now, well show you oureback song, Second Chance.'' The ce was covered in cheers as soon as the words Second Chance were mentioned. We bowed and turned around to get into position. It was a beat that we must have heard thousands of times by now. Although it probably wasnt visible to the audience, Kim Seonghyeon was mouthing along with the fan chant. Kim Seonghyeon, Seong Jiwon, Seo Hoyun, Kang Ichae, Jeong Dajun. As Seong Jiwon caught a glimpse of him, he chuckled. Then, at the start of the songs first verse, he grinned and sang with gusto. Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance. Seong Jiwon! Inside my head, this ringing sensation, say it again, Im back. Im back the lyrics fit perfectly. As if his earlier tension had disappeared, Seong Jiwons performance brought excitement to the guerri performance. Unlike on music shows, he whispered softly and slowly folded his fingers. I cant miss this chance. With Seong Jiwons return, it was now my turn. The cheers, perhaps more suffocating than during the music show, filled the air. I added a gesture of shuffling cards and picked one up. Dont worry about the low chances, theres no need. No need! Its okay, Ill lead you. The songs highlight wasing close. Suddenly, the sound became distorted and cut off. Kim Seonghyeons face turned stiff. Damn it. A sound ident. It was amon ident at concerts, especially hastily organized events like this. And it just had to happen now. [1] Dajun used the word to describe what was going on. A better trantion would be pdash, but haphazard is still okay. It describes something done quickly and carelessly, without much attention to detail. Although the Korean phrase is still rtively well-known, it is mostly used by young and older adults.
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! Chapter 35 Chapter 35 What? A sound failure? Are they crazy? The fans were buzzing. The staff could be seen running around frantically on stage. I quickly picked up the microphone. It wasnt my part, but Come to me,e to me, Dont be afraid,e to me. Lets keep going, guys. Whether its a sound failure or not, we cant stop here. I have my second chance. Seong Jiwon caught on quickly and improvised a harmony underneath. It wouldnt have been there originally, but since there was no apaniment, we had to make the sound richer somehow. Following him, Kim Seonghyeon reassured the fans by waving his hand and singing. No need to worry. Thats when the fans started singing along with our song. We slowly moved in sync with the beat, and the frantic stage directions quickly untangled. At that moment, Kang Ichae entered perfectly in time like a ghost. Everyone, sing with us! Stand up with the target, I have confidence. Despite the sound failure, Kang Ichaes confidence was overflowing. Rather, he went wild like a horse unleashed because of theck of an apaniment. As Kang Ichae excitedly bounced around, the fans loosened their stiff faces and cheered. I aint gonna miss this time. Jeong Dajun was swept into the excitement and came forward. Thinking since itse to this, everyone changed the song with crazy ad-libs. Seong Jiwon and I cleanly raised the final note together in the highlight. Even without apaniment, Seong Jiwon was like a person who swallowed a CD. There wasnt a single error. Kim Seonghyeon purposely came to the front of the stage with a smile, then winked at each audience member and raised one eyebrow. Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance. Thats how the song ended. The sound of gasping for breath was captured directly by the microphone. The backing track suddenly cut in briefly, drawing jeers from the audience, but Jeong Dajun caught his breath and grabbed the mic. Weve practiced hard, and it paid off. Wasnt it a big picture to prove our live performance? Of course, of course. I knew it all along. You looked too flustered for that. Ah, hyung! As we smoothly transitioned, the jeers stopped. Numerous slogans waved lovingly amid the looks of interest and affection. We greeted them with bright smiles. There were no pitch problems, and the beat was good. Maybe its actually fine? Should I try to get more attention by doing an unapanied live performance? Holding the microphone, I ran the happy circuit. As you may know, were in the middle of filming Shining Star. I deliberately mentioned Shining Star. Episode 1 hasnt aired yet, but were giving our best in every scene, so you wont regret it. Keep fighting, The Dawn! Thank you. Well work hard so we can proudly stand on stage with the other groups It was then. A sudden angry shout rang out. Get lost, wannabes!! Crash!!! Kyaaahhh! Someone screamed. Something hit my head and broke. Ah this feeling was very, very familiar. I slowly brushed over the spot where I was hit. My fingers were covered in thin broken shells and sticky yellow liquid. It was an egg. What the hell, is this crazy? Who did it? The audience was buzzing. The fans and passersby who came to watch were distressed as they looked at one another. But by then, the perpetrator had hidden among the crowd, and we couldnt find them. The members tried to approach me with stiff faces, but I stopped them with my hand. Here, wipe it off with this. Thank you. A staff member hurriedly ran over and handed me a towel, which I used to quickly wipe my head. Everyones faces were pale. Ah Such things had to happen. A sound failure and now an egg. I understood the situation. I heard that the talk of a PDs pick had spread within themunity, but I didnt know it would go this far. Even idols are hit with eggs, not just evil PDs. It was a new discovery. I smirked and held the microphone. Seems like the program is quite popr even though it hasnt aired yet. The atmosphere was buzzing. They mustve expected me to burst into tears or show a dejected look. But guess what, not me. Continuing from where I left off, weve been preparing a lot with the other groups to proudly stand on stage together. I spoke slowly. My skin felt sticky, but I didnt care at all. The more I cared, the happier the haters would be, and the sadder the fans would be. And, actually, if the video of me getting hit with eggs caused controversy, it could be used to our advantage in various ways. We want to repay the fans love and support with a great performance that we wont regretter. Please support us a lot. These feelings were genuine. The faces of those who looked ready to kill someone from beneath the stage gradually changed to teary ones. I smiled reassuringly at them. Youll watch our next performance, too, right? Seo Hoyun, we love you! Thank you. I truly like you too. After finishing, I bowed deeply. The members immediately rushed over and hugged me. They then examined me and murmured worriedly. Are you okay, Hoyun? We really need to find out who did this. Hyung, are you really okay? Lets leave if its too hard for you, Hyung. I shrugged my shoulders and patted the teary members shoulders. When I performed earlier, it felt like my head was sinking. But now its fixed. Hyung, are you really crazy? Kang Ichae was furious, but I flicked the foreheads of tearful members with my fingers meaning, all the members. Ouch, that hurts! Dont make such a sad face. I wiped my hands and returned to the stage to set our positions, and I saw Kim Seonghyeon clenching his teeth next to me. He must be feeling wronged and was now even more determined to do better. I nudged Kim Seonghyeon. Lets do well. Eventually, we sessfully presented our second performance as well. While getting off the stage, the members somehow stayed close together, not leaving my side. *** [This guy is really crazy, Im like aaaahhh, Im going nuts! If you have a problem, go to the hospital, you crazy jerk! Why did you do that to our Hoyun?] [Were suing all the haters right now. They must think were pushovers. Lets meet in court, you bastards.] [Why is Hoyun so calm in all this? When I see him so calm, I actually teared up What hardships has he been through at such a young age to look unfazed even when experiencing this?] [The people whoughed saying this was satisfying after watching this, its as if theyre dering war now.] . . . [Title: Todays fans fucking really crossed the line this time. Obviously, a Today fan threw the egg at Seo Hoyun, do they really even have a brain? Or not? There are also a lot of people whough at the video; theyre really crazy, there are so many of them ;;] An uproar erupted on SNS andmunity sites. The sneaky spread of PD-picks among the fandoms of groups who appeared on Shining Star, had escted due to the guerri concert and the egg incident. It became a hot topic even among other K-pop fandoms. At the same time, it also ranked 2nd in YouTubes real-time popr videos. [Title: The Dawn Sanghodong Hosan Park Guerri Concert Fancam Wow ;; What is up with Seo Hoyuns mental strength If it were me, I would have cried there, but hes so calm (Like 492) Seo Hoyun? Thats really amazing I know he caught a robber before Theres a reason why Joo Woosung cherishes Seo Hoyun Top-ss mental strength acknowledged Throwing eggs is really too much, isnt it? Shouldnt their agency sue them? If I were a fan, I would have cried when I heard Seo Hoyunsment Hes the one who got hit, but hesforting others instead Ive be a fan of Seo Hoyun I havent been interested in idols these days, but these young men are amazing. They got hit by an egg during a sound ident, but they still performed without any problems. Im a 49-year-old uncle, but I think I will be an uncle fan of The Dawn (Like 1249)] Everything turned out as I wanted. The sound ident and the egg were unexpected, but our poprity increased thanks to handling them well. And we even created a rival image with Today. Isnt it a huge gain? The YouTube algorithm skyrocketed in views to hundreds of thousands in a short time. It was easy to see that it would reach millions soon. Also, because of the rtively sessful guerri concert, my stats increased. [Dance: C+] Again, it was a huge gain. The problem is Whats that? Did you just cough? What? The members became abnormally overprotective of me over the past few days. It was just a slight cough, but they all jumped up. Can someone turn off the air conditioner~ Hoyun is coughing. Hoyun, did you just cough? Do you want me to get you some warm water? Are you sick, Hoyun? Is it because you got hit by that cold thing? Hey, I told you to take vitamins. It was overprotection. I was receiving excessive protection from my almost-10-years-younger members. Theyre like my nephews. They would cling to me whenever I took a few steps. They would all rush to bring me water if I coughed once as if I had caught the gue. It was like that even yesterday. While watching the first episode together and talking, the atmosphere suddenly became serious whenever I appeared on the screen. Even during the part where I imitated Lim Hyeonsus boasting Yeah, Hoyun is so desperate Are you kidding me? I tried to rebel a little, but even Seong Jiwon didnt listen. It was the king of excessive protection. Anyway, the reactions after the first episodes broadcast were not bad. [Title: Guys, Ill summarize the first episode for you. The Dawn, theyre freaking handsome. The End. I thank you. They perform and their faces appear in this order: Seong Jiwon-Kim Seonghyeon-Seo Hoyun-Jeong Dajun-Kang Ichae. Isnt this crazy? How did such faces Its the greatest miracle since Moses Theres a rumor that they all have a weakness This is correct] [Title: Guys, Seong Jiwon was the D.go rookie, right? I thought I saw him somewhere There cant be two such innocent-looking people in the world Yes, its him Ah, I see I missed your nose so much, Jjoob Which should I report this to, D.go or Daepaseong? Its not just me thinking this!!] [Title: Seo Hoyun is a rookie, but hes close to Joo Woosung and Lim Hyeonsu?? Its impressive, whats this Theyre both known for not socializing. Was he just born with a golden spoon?? Is he the child of someone high up in the entertainment industry?? Isnt Seo Hoyun just being overly praised? When he was imitating Hyeonsus voice, it wasnt that great. I think Hyeonsu would hate it You havent seen the Star of Clean Conduct yet, the reaction to Seo Hoyuns imitation was deliberately filmed and uploaded Then what about Joo Woosung? Actually, Woosung has a reputation for having no friends Seo Hoyun is his only friend, so Woosung somewhat bothers him fuck thats too much] Well, I thought my Lim Hyeonsus imitation might be criticized, but it seemed they deliberately took care of it. As expected, they have a soft spot. Lim Hyeonsu: Hey, did you see my SNS? Lim Hyeonsu: Seriously, I tried to curse but held back Lim Hyeonsu: Anyway, do you want tofort me? Me: No] Lim Hyeonsu: Haha, so cold I briefly checked my phone after sending the message. [2 missed calls from Joo Woosung] [5 missed calls from Seo Hojin] They were really blowing up my phone. I quickly turned it off. I appreciated their concern, but it was honestly an overreaction. [1 missed call from PD Kim Heeyeon] When I suddenly stood up, everyone was startled. Where are you going? Hyung! Let me take care of it for you. Keep quiet, everyone. Just stay still. I pretended to go to the restroom but subtly searched for a ce no one was around. I already knew this broadcasting station like the back of my hand. The best ce to have a conversation without CCTV or many people, where someone could immediately notice if they were being eavesdropped on, was undoubtedly next to the smoking room. As soon as I pressed the call button on my phone, I heard a ringing tone. Strangely, I felt a little nervous. Hello? Yes, this is Seo Hoyun. Ah, Seo Hoyun. It was Kim Heeyeon. She called my name and hesitated for a while. After a few moments, she made a groaning noise and finally spoke. Actually, it might have been better to tell you in person, but Im making this call because I think strange rumors are going around now. Yes, its okay. I saw the article and video. Its not right for me to ask if youre okay. Kim Heeyeon let out a deep sigh. Im sorry. Its my fault. I indeed intended for the two of you to fight and cause a scandal, but I didnt think it would directly affect you like this. You must be so frustrated, Seo Hoyun. Its okay. I wouldve done the same if I were you. Seo Hoyun, are you a Bodhisattva? Or maybe its your second life? Why are you so mature? Kim Heeyeon was strangely kind to me. Or maybe its because Im so young that she felt a little guilty. In any case, she would feel somewhat guilty, knowing that her decision caused me to be hit by an egg. Anyway, Im thinking of covering this up. There wont be any more incidents like this in the future. Weve already attracted enough attention, and the ratings should be good. Im shameless and brazen, but it wont be bad news for you, Seo Hoyun. We wont create any more rivalries, so please understand. No. I slowly crouched on the floor and buried my face in my arm, listening to Kim Heeyeons voice. Please continue with that rivalry.
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! Chapter 36 Chapter 36 Seo Hoyun. I told you. I would have done the same by doing that kind of scheme. I dont get it. Its better to cut it off when theres public sympathy. If we keep dragging this on, the tables will turn in no time. Youll end up being unfairly ndered again. PD. Yes? As you know, this development isnt bad for PD either. If she kept fueling the confrontation, the ratings would gradually elerate. What are you hoping for? Iughed. It was a phrase Id heard so much over the past few months. From Lim Hyeonsu to Joo Woosung, and even now from Kim Heeyeon. A stable job thatll allow me to have a decent life. Are you teasing me? Im serious. Sigh Fine. Kim Heeyeon sighed as if the earth was copsing and said to me. Im going to expose something on todays broadcast. Dont regret not quitting now. I wont. Arent you curious? No. Youre really strange, Seo Hoyun. Dont you need a title like crazy schemer of Daepaseong Entertainment? I think I already have a nickname like that. What a pity. I chuckled. It was time to hang up, but I hesitated. There was just one thing I wanted to say. I needed courage, but there was no dialogue window this time. I sighed quietly enough for her not to hear, closed my eyes, and spat out that one word. Fighting! Huh? Uh, yeah. Thank you. With that, there was a brief silence before Kim Heeyeon cut the call. Damn I regretted saying thest word, but it was already spilled water. I checked the time on my phone. It was time to go. *** Hello, Im Yu Jia, the host of Shining Star. Wow! Yu Jia! Yu Jia! The loud cheer could be heard from the waiting room, despite being slightly dyed on the live monitoring TV. Everyone, youve participated a lot today. The sum of the scores obtained from the 1st to the 3rd round will determine who will advance to the Final Star. Before we begin the first round, let me announce your voting scores. As Yu Jia twirled around, a huge number appeared on the stage screen. Audience evaluation 9,000 points. An overwhelming number. Jeong Dajun swallowed hard. Its 9,000 points. In addition, the ranking of the 1st round will be determined by adding the 1,000 points from the judges evaluation. Now you know how important your role is today, right? Today! Maze! Go, The Dawn! Haha, yes. I can already hear the cheers. The group that wins the first round will be granted a special privilege. Please look forward to it. Yu Jia winked her eyes. A special privilege. I had a bad feeling just hearing the words. When Mazes main vocalist sang the highlight during their third performance, Seong Jiwon marveled. Wow, he sings well. Hes really good. I got goosebumps. Seeing Mazes vocalist reminded me of our conversation regarding Seong Jiwon, which made my face stiffen involuntarily. Mazes vocalist was good, but Seong Jiwon was no pushover either. He could have been more popr if only his luck wasnt so bad. I felt irritated. Ah, Hoyun! Dont frown your eyes now. Oh, sorry. How is it? I put red makeup under your eyes and sprinkled glitter. Doesnt it look more alien? It perfectly matches the concept. Honestly, I couldnt hear the rest. The only liter I knew was a unit of measurement for liquids.[1] I just nodded and expressed my gratitude. Thank you, maam. Oh, look how polite this kid is. The makeup artistughed lightly. Good luck today. I bowed after receiving their encouragement, and Seong Jiwon grabbed my arm and led me. He smiled faintly. Looks like our fans are over there. Yeah, quite a few of them came. No wonder since we even got hit by eggs and set the ce on fire. I thought it was an obvious oue, but the feeling was different. As we walked through the long corridor with the other members, Seong Jiwon whispered to me. Hoyun. What? Are you not scared or anything? What nonsense was he talking about? I looked at him with a ridiculous look, but Seong Jiwon was serious. Well, I just thought you might have developed a trauma after the gueri concertst time I thought you might be scared. Do I look like that right now? No, not at all. Seong Jiwon answered decisively. Then he nced at me again. Then, are you nervous? You werest time. A little. I was more annoyed than nervous right now. Somehow Seong Jiwon found my answer amusing and chuckled with his eyes squinted. We were the fourth to perform. Naturally, thest stage was Today. Maze, who had just finished their performance, came out wiping their sweat. A staff member contacted them through a walkie-talkie. Yeah, The Dawn has arrived. Good job. Kim Seonghyeon, walking next to us, greeted the Maze members first. Maze smiled broadly and bowed 90 degrees to us. They must have been conscious of the camera, despite being our sunbae. The Dawn, fighting! Fighting! Yes, thank you. The Maze vocalist alternated his gaze between Seong Jiwon and me, seemingly curious about whether wed spoken already. As Seong Jiwon caught the vocalists gaze, Kang Ichae suddenly interrupted. Sunbae, that was amazing! Uh? Yeah? Especially during the rap part, we were all impressed. Haha, thank you. I didnt know if Kang Ichae knew that, but he cut off the conversation at the right time. Well go up now. See youter, sunbae. Uh-huh. The vocalist nodded awkwardly. We bowed and followed the staffs guidance onto the stage. Yu Jia smiled at us and looked at the audience. Were The Dawn! Ahhhh! The Dawn, fighting! The cheers were deafening as we greeted them. It was more intimidating than thest gueri concert. I barely straightened my back and looked forward. What? Almost half of them were holding blue slogans. It was our official color that was nearly frozen after our first album. At a nce, it looks like there were more of them than Todays yellow. There was no way. Our fandom was much smaller than Todays. Hoyun, fighting! I heard the audience shouting. Thats when I realized. Our fans worked hard. They must have given out slogans and promoted us to the general audience who got in through the lottery. Thank you. I bowed my head once more and turned around to grab the mic. Today must be seething as they watch the stage. Our members all seemed to have the same thought. Their eyes were filled with determination. Thats when I caught Kim Seonghyeons eye, who was peeking at our side. Hey. What? Keep an eye on the camera. As I smirked, Kim Seonghyeon let out a bitterugh as if he couldnt believe it. Then, as the intro flowed out, he quickly hardened his expression. It was time to let out everything we had prepared. *** Doom, doom, doom. A cheerful song flowed out. The fans all made puzzled faces. What? Its not Second Chance? Didnt they say it was a representative hit song today? What song is it? However, The Dawns fans, especially those who were fans before the five-member restructuring, covered their mouths. Could it be could it be this? Glow! The song had a high-teen concept but was too calm and was thus quickly buried in the charts. Fans would get immersed just by listening to the intro, their faces filled with nostalgia. This song couldnt even reach 300,000 views on its music video. Yet, here it was again, ying in Shining Star. Kang Ichae and Kim Seonghyeon walked out, grumbling. They say youre still lost in a daze, Thats right, thats what they say. Hey guys! This is a high-teen musical concept in our school uniforms? One of the original fans tilted their head. Their agency was working hard! You should know it, soon. Kim Seonghyeon slowly stood up, picked up a basketball, spun it around, and then threw it into a makeshift hoop with a grin. The ball swooshed into the hoop in one go, apanied by the screeching sound of the. Hey, what are you looking at. Kang Ichae snatched the ball from below and dribbled it before passing it to Jeong Dajun. Dajun caught the ball. He was confused and looked around. And then the song started. No, I wont, I said I wont, Ill find my way, I will. Jeong Dajun threw the ball aside and ran off, doing his best to ignore Kang Ichae, who wasughing at him from the side. This was, by the way, a part of their act. You know we cant be but you keep talking. Blocking Dajuns path, Seo Hoyun and Kang Ichae swaggered around. Dajun dodged them swiftly, and just as Ichae bent down, seemingly to tie his shoces, he jumped over him to the beat. He then pulled a book from a nearby cab and made a sad face. Feels like my heart will leap out from my mouth. Seong Jiwon naturally took Dajuns book and leaned against the cab, messing with his hair. Seo Hoyun sat down beside them, looking sulky, and chimed in. I keep spitting words so absurd (huh?), I say the sky looks pretty today (but its raining?), Ah, I should just keep quiet, what can I say. The camera moved away from Jiwon and focused on Kim Seonghyeon, who was spinning a basketball on his finger. He took a deep breath. No, I wont, I said I wont, Ill find my way, I must be mad. Kang Ichae suddenly appeared behind Seonghyeon, yfully stealing the basketball and tapping his cheek. All my friends tell me so, They say Im different, but I keep, keep getting drawn to you. Guys! This refreshing concept is a huge hit! The song was even more exciting as a musical arrangement than the original. The fans were already satisfied to the point of copse, but the song wasnt over yet. Screeeeech! Suddenly, the stage darkened, and a moonlit night arrived. The group gathered in the center for a group dance, their bodies hunched and twitching like wolves. The music stopped abruptly, and all the members crouched down as if waiting for something. Then, a wolfs howl echoed throughout the venue. The fans were taken aback. Was this part in the original song? Kang Ichae sprang up in front of Kim Seonghyeon, who was scratching the floor with his fingernails. Again, moonlightes Im not who I used to be Head spinning, instinctse alive. It was a newly added rap section in the original song Glow. Shit Is he a werewolf? The fans seemed like they were about to faint. Of course, it wasnt just the fans everyone had their mouths wide open, taken aback by the unexpected development. So, this is why they told us to brace ourselves. It cant happen since theyre not the same species! At the distant edge of this full moon, I find you, I do You see, I cant stop thinking about you, even in this light. As Kang Ichaes part ended, Seo Hoyun appeared on the table. The table was lifted up by the members below. The bright white light illuminated Seo Hoyun strongly, making him seem almost inhuman. At dawn, alone with thoughts of you. Seo Hoyun slowly touched his lips. As if all these emotions turned into regret, as if they kept on wavering. Can we be together? or not? Can we stay together? or not? Hoyun! Lets live together! A fan couldnt help but scream. Seo Hoyuns lips slightly lifted, perhaps because he heard the scream, and the fan seemed ready to faint. Seo Hoyun slid down from the table and brushed his hair back. But its over now, isnt it? My minds consumed with thoughts of you, Please, hold my hand. He then slid to the side. In an instant, the stage brightened, and the atmosphere changed back to a high teen vibe with the sound of a wolfs howl. Jeong Dajun appeared, brushing his lips at the end. (No, shes not one of us) Even your whims are charming (You gotta listen to me) I know, Im gonna regret this, With a single text, I leap up and head toward your ce. Seong Jiwon added a chorus at the end. It was much higher than the earlier Maze song and cleaner. I want to risk it all for you. The fans couldnt control their emotions, clenching their fists while looking at Seong Jiwon and Seo Hoyun, who were harmonizing while making eye contact. Can we be together? or not? Can we stay together? or not? Jeong Dajun appeared stuttering, like in the intro, and slowly kicked a basketball. Im not sane, I know, But I still want to ask. As he slowly opened the cab and stiffened, he mumbled while holding the letter inside. Can you really be with me? Trending high teen, delightful plot twists, and stimting narratives. It was indeed a shocking first-roundpetition stage. [1] As in English, the words glitter and liter sound simr in Korean. Glitter is while liter is . Note the Hangul (geul).
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! Chapter 37 Chapter 37 Guys, I love you! Pfft! There was a beep in the middle. Seong Jiwonughed even though the microphone was on. The staff hurriedly adjusted the mics volume, but the fans had already heard everything. The stage brightened up again, and Kang Ichae yfully hit Seong Jiwon. As all the members greeted the fans, cheers erupted. Yu Jia smiled at us. Theres a lot to say, but First of all, Id like to say that we want to see you again. The members rxed at Yu Jias words. How did you prepare all this in just a week? From the musical format to the unexpected werewolf concept. Who arranged the music? Ichae arranged it, Dajun came up with the concept, Seonghyeon choreographed, and Jiwon supervised the vocals. A perfect distribution What about Hoyun? I just tagged along. I was sincere, but everyone burst outughing. Kim Seonghyeon then picked up the microphone. Seo Hoyun looked after the overall direction. He did a great job conveying the n to the production team and setting up the stage. Yes, we really enjoyed the amazing stage. Lastly, please say a word to our audience. Hmm, its nice to show a heartwarming side in front of the camera. Seong Jiwon picked up the mic with a determined expression. Weve been preparing a lot for a week. If the effort, as Hoyun said, was reflected in our performance, theres nothing more we could ask for. Thank you for today. Seong Jiwon spoke well today. As he spoke, the members expressions were filled with determination. Was I the only one who couldnt read the atmosphere here? The audience all had moved expressions for some reason. Anyway, after the group greeting, we exited the stage when suddenly, Jeong Dajun hung on my left shoulder. Everyone patted my shoulder or head as they passed by. What is it? Todays team,ing up! As we exited, thest team, Today, caught our eyes. They had bitter faces, as if they watched our performance. However, they passed by without saying anything, perhaps conscious of the egg incident. Cheers for Today were not as loud as ours. It seems like we did well. Better than we thought. Jeong Dajunughed heartily. The camera that followed us seemed to be trying to give us exclusive coverage as it continued to capture a close-up. As we headed to the waiting room, contestants and staff greeted us every step of the way. Eventually, we couldnt even return to the waiting room and had to go back on stage. We quickly greeted Today, Refined, Maze, and Nightmare, who were all standing on stage. Their gazes were heavily fixed on us. Dont just stand there, guys! No, I was sorry, guys I can still stand. Yu Jia pretended not to hear and held up a card. All five teams worked hard. Now its time to announce the glorious rankings. Yu Jia spoke slowly. She deliberately announced the rankings from the bottom up. 5th ce: Nightmare, 4th ce: Refined, 3rd ce: Maze. The only teams left were Today and The Dawn. Jeong Dajun narrowed his eyes. Hyung, are we going to lose? It was possible. Now, its time to announce the glorious first ce. In fact, I did not expect much. I didnt think wed win first ce in the first round. I had different ns. We purposely didnt look at Todays side and only faced forward. Jeong Dajun, oblivious to the situation, fidgeted. The winner of Shining Stars first round is An exciting song reverberated throughout thepetition hall. Todays Yu Hyeok red at us too much. Hey, control your expression! Thats when it happened. Yu Jia took a deep breath and raised the microphone. Congrattions to The Dawn for winning first ce with 4,700 points! Uh, what? Ahhhh! The Dawn! The Dawn! The Dawn won first ce? With audience scores at 90%? This didnt make sense. I frowned slightly and caught a glimpse of PD Kim Heeyeon. She was looking at us with a distorted expression. Whats going on? My head was spinning. I couldnt hear what Yu Jia was saying. Congrattions, The Dawn. You sessfully captivated the audiences hearts with incredibly stable vocals and a surprising concept. Audience Ah, now I understand. Initially, they nned to manipte the results if Today didnt get first ce, but the agency backed down after seeing the atmosphere. Now that Ive been hit with an egg, it wouldnt be a good look if Today ranked first. Anyway, it wasnt essential to be first in the preliminary round. So, did that mean we just have to get first ceter? Hyung! We got first ce! No, thats not it. Theres something more. While I was racking my brain, the members were smiling brightly with their faces full of emotion. Well, its true that weve proven ourselves with our skills and captured the hearts of the audience. I patted them on the back and picked up the microphone. Im Seo Hoyun from The Dawn. Thank you so much for voting for us despite our shorings. Yes, congrattions! What are your thoughts on this? I shifted my gaze to Yu Jia, who was smiling as if she was wearing a mask, and continued. First of all, I want to thank our fans who always support us, as well as all my team members. Also, Id like to thank all the staff who prepared hard with us and the opposing teams who always impress us with their amazing skills. I was genuinely grateful to the opposing teams. Thanks to Todays provocation, our teams morale was soaring. Yu Jia, slightly disappointed by my typical response, tilted her head. However, she professionally continued without showing any difort. Then, shall we check the privilege of being first? I wish it were money but it probably wont be. Whats the prize? Is it something like Korean beef? Jeong Dajun asked innocently. Yu Jia looked apologetic for a moment, not knowing what to do. PD Kim Heeyeon still looked at me with her lips tightly sealed. What should I do? Its not something like that its a bit more special. Yu Jia slowly flipped over a card and awkwardly smiled at the audience. The first-ce group can choose another group and change their score to a negative value! Everyone was silent. Their faces showed shock. In other words, if a team gets 3,000 points, their score will be minus 3,000 points, and itll be reflected in the final total. Its an important opportunity to bring down a group youve been keeping in check. Wow I asked for some sort of adversarial concept, but This was harsh. Really harsh. Is it Kim Heeyeons work? Or is it Todays agencys work? It could be. Kim Heeyeon was wishy-washy because she wasnt me. She created the concept but never cornered the participants like this. So thats why Kim Heeyeon asked me if I was curious about the first-ce privilege. The Dawn members were too shocked to even speak. To be precise, they couldnt talk. If they said anything here, they would be pelted with stones, not eggs. Only then did jeers erupt as the audience regained their senses. Are the producers crazy?! Do you want to get sued?! It was something along those lines. On top of that, everyone looked like they wanted to tear me to pieces, except for The Dawn fans. I was used to malicious gazes, but this murderous intent made cold sweat trickle down my back. Please make your decision now. What should we do in this situation? So, The Dawn, which team will you choose? No matter who I picked now, it was certain that I would be torn to shreds. Maybe Id even be burned to ashes on social media or onlinemunities. Now I understand why Today didnt rank first. In the first preliminary round, the losing side was the one that ranked first. Ive been had. I looked back at the members before grabbing the microphone. They all had faces that didnt know what to do. Hoyun. Ill give the answer. Suddenly, Seong Jiwon whispered to me, holding my shoulder. No matter what happened, the person who answered would be torn to shreds. Fear was evident in Seong Jiwons eyes, but he pretended to be nonchnt and spoke to me. It was his sincerity. Its okay. Dont worry. Guys. I faced their shaking eyes, feeling like I would crumble under their piercing gazes. I looked straight at them. I didnt know it would be used so soon, but Do you trust me? Just in case, I prepared andmine. The thirdndmine was to trust me unconditionally even if I made a mistake. Kang Ichae chuckled and then nodded her head. I stopped Seong Jiwon from answering and slowly turned my body towards the audience, facing Yu Jia. She gave a pitiful smile. Have you made a decision? I nodded. Yes. Then, please tell us the name of the group. I looked towards the side where the other groups were. They all seemed surprised. Amid that, Today let out a sneer. Everyone seemed happy with the situation I had gotten myself into. Since I was already set to face Today, choosing them here would only break the sympathy I had gained. [There was no need for sympathy] [I told you over and over that Im strong ] Titles like these would fill the onlinemunities. Thats why they thought I would choose Nightmare, the group with the smallest fandom, or at most, Refined. Today just seemed to enjoy watching me struggle. But guys, what should I do? I choose. I picked up the microphone with a smile. Today, I choose you. I decided. Screw it. I will just have to defeat them.
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! Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Ahhhh! Seo Hoyun, you piece of trash! What? What did you just say? The fandom fight was just about to be a physical brawl when security guards intervened. No one had expected it, but it was an unbelievable result that everyone had thought, No way, no way. Security guards barely stopped the fight, escorted some fans out, and an icy silence settled in the venue. Damn Todays members failed to control themselves as one of them burned a piece of bread and hurriedly covered their mouth.[1] Today will receive negative points! The total is now in the negatives. Cancel the program! Get rid of it! I didnt manage my expression either. I was so damn refreshed and relieved. Why would I control my face? Looking at the members, none seemed to think I would call out Today. They all stopped in their tracks like meerkats. H-hey, hyung. A staff member quickly approached me, and I handed the mic over. I then greeted some fans with very cool expressions and retreated to where the other groups were. The situation had be much more intense than expected, and the staff members gave hints to quickly finish and wrap up. Yu Jia took the mic and drove the final nail. Todays score of 4,200 will be in the negatives. Please show the current total. Not only Today but also everyone else couldnt close their mouths. Today, who had the most recognition, instantly became 5th ce just before Nightmare. It was a pitiful sight. Im really looking forward to seeing if Today can make aeback. Until the nextpetition, please stay tuned. The broadcast ending greetings were finished, and Yu Jia nced at the idol groups on stage. Only then did the red light on the camera turn off, and everyone quickly bowed their heads and hurriedly got off the stage without properly exchanging greetings. Get down, get down. Go quickly! No one dared to look at the audience. Of course, I was the only one who leisurely walked up to the fans, greeted them, and checked the situation as I entered. The atmosphere was almost like thin ice, where a fistfight could break out at any moment. As soon as we arrived at the backstage waiting room, Yu Hyeok grabbed me by the cor. You bastard! The VJ following us was also startled and hesitated about whether to turn off the camera. What the hell are you doing? Hmm. I didnt know you were really crazy. The other members of Today also crowded around. They wouldnt dare to start a fight here, would they? At that moment, Kim Seonghyeon suddenly stepped in between us. Hey, let go. Hey? Did you just say hey to me? Didnt you say it was fine to call you heyst time?[2] As I mimicked the aegyo he showedst time during the talent show, Yu Hyeoks eyes rolled back in anger. This bastard really wants to die! Cant you understand the situation? Dont you see the camera rolling? Kim Seonghyeon coldly murmured. I thought he was angry at me, but thankfully, he directed his anger at Yu Hyeok. Yu Hyeok smirked smugly on one side of his mouth. Its going to be edited out anyway. Do you think I care about that? Really? Then can I throw a carton of eggs at you right now? Kang Ichae also sneered simrly, and Yu Hyeoks face turned red and blue. Moreover, as the stage clean-up waspleted and the staff, Yu Jia, and the PD started to gather, Yu Hyeok had to forcibly swallow his anger. Seo Hoyun, you know you dug your own grave, right? If you had just stayed still, we could have gotten at least half. Youre done for. Youll be crushed until you turn to ashes and fail. Shouldnt you have at least pretended to be pitiful? He was right. People wouldnt have ordinarily chosen Today in that situation. You brought this situation upon yourself. Theres no one to cover for you now. We just need to move up in the nextpetition. What about you? Is there anything you can do? Sunbae. I dusted off my crumpled cor from being grabbed. Youre talking a lot today. You must be really upset. You bastard! Just as he was about to lunge at me again, Seong Jiwon couldnt take it anymore and stopped him. Stop it! Seong Jiwon, shut up and stay out of it. You should be careful. Theres a chance youll end up in the worst ce if you keep running your mouth like that. What? I know a thing or two. At Seong Jiwons words, Yu Hyeok visibly flinched and quietly closed his mouth. I couldnt help but be astonished. The innocent Seong Jiwon was threatening someone. It must be the sponsor issue. However, talking about the sponsor out loud would have also put Seong Jiwon in danger. It was a card that couldnt be yed recklessly. Stupid bastards Good luck with your losers party. Yu Hyeok gritted his teeth and walked away. I made eye contact with PD Heeyeon, but I passed by her without a word. As I returned to the waiting room to pack my things, Kim Seonghyeon turned me around. Seo Hoyun. Yes? Why did you do that? Did you just charge in because you were mad? Seonghyeon. I need to know. I took your side in front of everyone, but this isnt a problem we can easily get over. I could understand why he would be angry. It was more than enough. Kim Seonghyeon stared at me with a frustrated expression. Its already bad enough that were getting criticized for favoritism, but after the guerri concert, public opinion turned against Today. People were cursing at Today. But now that we chose Today, its like were asking to be cursed at. Hyung, the biggest victim here is Hoyun-hyung. I know. Thats why its even more frustrating. Why do you keep doing this alone? Kim Seonghyeon was considerate. He took care of each team member and tried his best for the team as the leader and eldest member. But I wasnt like that. I told you to trust me. Hey, Seo Hoyun! If youre already shaking here, what will you do? You said youd trust me even if I did something really stupid. Why are you like this? Undoubtedly, they wouldnt understand me even if I exined why I did it. Its true that Im sorry for you guys in a way. Its true that the team is getting hurt. So just pretend to be the victims, guys. Say you got hurt because Seo Hoyun did something crazy. Ill take all the responsibility. Hey! Hyung, hyung. As Kim Seonghyeon clenched his teeth, Kang Ichae stopped him. And then, uncharacteristically, he spoke slowly and soothingly. Hyung, Hoyun-hyung must have a reason. I didnt know it would be this bad when he said it would be fun. Kang Ichae let out a detedugh. It seemed a bit bitter. And then he looked at me. Hyung, I wont say that you should take responsibility. Thats selfish. But think about Seonghyeon-hyung too. Kang Ichae shrugged after raising his eyebrows. Youre smart. Youll figure it out soon. *** Hey, guys. Shall we eat tteokbokki before we go? You guys liked the tteokbokki cest time, right? Ill pay. How about it? Its okay, manager Im not hungry. Jeong Dajun answered softly, noticing the atmosphere. The car on the way back to the dormitory was so quiet that you could probably hear ants walking. The atmosphere was bitterly cold. Despite the managers efforts, the atmosphere didnt change until we got back to the dormitory, and eventually, the manager dropped us off with a tearful face. Kim Seonghyeon didnt say anything even when we arrived at the dormitory. I took out my phone in the room but went outside as it seemed like it would make Kang Ichae ufortable. Its cold. The weather was getting colder. I sat on the stairs before the alley and checked my phone. It was a mess once again. I first read Lim Hyeonsus messages. Lim Hyeonsu: Hey Lim Hyeonsu: I heard the news. Do you just want to retire? Lim Hyeonsu: If you have nowhere to go, do you want to work at our studio? But you have to be my servant Me: Fine I sent a rough reply. The following message was from Seo Hojin. Seo Hojin: Hyung, what happened today? Seo Hojin: Hyung Seo Hojin: No Seo Hojin: Just turn off your phone. Damn. Me: Seo Hojin Seo Hojin: What? Me: Did you eat? Seo Hojin: Not yet Seo Hojin: You? Me: You inte addict, go eat Seo Hojin: -_- With that, I closed the chat. It was obvious that Seo Hojin was worried about me, and thats why he was acting like that. I happened to remember and check the inte reactions, and people were angrily making noise. [Title: Im seriously fed up with shielding them. I regret all the times I shielded them up until now Seriously, no more shielding. It hasnt been that long since that incident, but did we even shield them for a day? What? Is this about that thing? Yeah, Seo Hoyun What happened? Look up the trending posts, but they might get deleted soon] [Title: The group thats benefiting the most from all this is Nightmare. They looked almost desperate, but then Seo Hoyun went crazy and saved them Did you see Todays expression? They were swearing with just their vocals I wouldve sworn at them too Today acted all high and mighty, got hit with an egg, and now only Today is getting scolded. The fandom atmosphere was seriously tense Only Today is pitiful I saw them getting sworn at] [Title: Am I the only one who likes Seo Hoyun? Honestly, Today was ridiculed and made fun of, but Seo Hoyun chose Today over Nightmare It was really satisfying I agree What a plot twist, it was seriously so entertaining Weve never seen a character like this before ] [Title: But it seems like The Dawn didnt see thising, so isnt this something Seo Hoyun did by himself? The Dawn kids are the only ones who are pitiful. Seo Hoyun isnt pitiful at all; hes a crazy guy Yeah well, those kids manipted the situation But seriously, it looked true. Did you see everyones shocked faces? Only Seo Hoyun remained calm, like a sociopath I know right If the kids knew, they wouldnt have been that surprised Seo Hoyun isnt pitiful. Its the production crew who made the announcement like that If you saw his face, you wouldnt think hes pitiful. Hes literally aplete madman] Hmm, great. Looks like I was the only one getting scolded. Fortunately, The Dawn members werent getting bashed as much as I thought they would. Episode 1 has already aired, and theres a week until Episode 2. There are ten days left until the nextpetition. Theres not much time left. Thats still enough time for the reactions to stay heated. Just as I was about to put my phone down, a message appeared at the top. It was from Kim Heeyeon. PD Kim Heeyeon: Im sorry There was no need to apologize. As I was considering whether I should reply, someone spoke to me. What are you doing here? It was Seong Jiwon. Arent you cold? No, Im fine. Wait. Seong Jiwon took out a can of yuja tea[3] from his pocket. It was warm. When did he buy this? Seong Jiwon scratched his cheek sheepishly. Actually, I saw you standing here, so I bought two cans. Thanks. Seong Jiwon squeezed next to me and sat down on the stairs. I wiped my hands on the can and took a sip. It was surprisingly sweet. After a few silent sips of yuja tea, I asked sneakily. Wheres Kim Seonghyeon? Ha, hes sulking. He has a certain expression when hes upset. Seong Jiwon imitated Kim Seonghyeons face. When he narrowed his eyes and raised his eyebrows, he really looked like Kim Seonghyeon. I couldnt help butugh. I dont know what you think, but please understand if Seonghyeon gets angry. Hes just very responsible. Its understandable. Its affecting the team. No, its not that. Seong Jiwon said firmly. Seonghyeon is angry because youre trying to shoulder everything alone. Youve been like that since the guerri stage. No, actually, from the beginning, youve been trying to do everything yourself. Seong Jiwon fidgeted with the can of yuja tea. You told us to trust you, but you dont trust us. Thats why hes upset. I was caught off guard. Seeing me speechless, Seong Jiwon gave a smallugh. I know Im not doing anything, so I shouldnt be talking. Seong Jiwon. Huh? Did you really want to grab the mic at that moment? Seong Jiwon nodded without hesitation. It wouldnt have been easy. Who were you going to choose? Who else would I choose there? Of course, its Today. Seong Jiwon grinned. So the result would have been the same anyway. Im just sorry you had to take more me. Seong Jiwons mentality seemed to have gotten stronger. I clenched my jaw and organized my thoughts. It had been some time since someone told me they were upset with me. People often said that they hated or disliked me. Were the members forgiving me because they were young and innocent, or had I be too worn out? On impulse, I asked. Were you the center of Today? [1] See Episode 32 for a simr exnation. [2] What Seonghyeon and Yu Hyeok are arguing about is the Korean word (ya). It trantes to hey in English and is an informal way to address someone. [3] Its very good. Yuja tea is a traditional Korean tea made from the citrus fruit yuzu, known for its tart and tangy vor.
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! Chapter 39 Chapter 39 Huh? Seong Jiwon rolled his eyes and smiled awkwardly. Where did you hear that? They said you were a promising rookie. I wouldnt go that far. I heard they were going to choose between you as the main vocal and center. Well, among the members of Today, Im the best, right? Seong Jiwon bragged without sounding obnoxious. He then asked another question. But why are you suddenly asking me about this? I felt embarrassed. Seo Hoyun, you know my position in Today, and its not just out of curiosity that hes asking You heard about that, didnt you? Seong Jiwon had be very perceptivetely. It seemed like being chewed out like a squid changed him. Seong Jiwon clicked his tongue. The world is small, too small. Bad news travels faster. You dont have to talk about it if you dont want to. Youre right. What you heard is correct. Seong Jiwon sighed. I ran away because I didnt like the sponsorship offer. Oh. I knew there was growing pressure. Some members of Today already had some talks about it. They treated me like a fool. They said its almost like being guaranteed, so why not take this opportunity? Seong Jiwon kicked a small rock on the ground. I was honestly not sure. I really wondered if I was a fool. And it drove me crazy when my positions were taken away one by one. But then, one day, I dont know why or how, but my mind cleared up. He couldnt have forgotten. Is he just beating around the bush because he doesnt want to talk about it? Seong Jiwons normally smooth forehead wrinkled. What am I doing? I realized I was going crazy. I chose that path. And after a lot of trials, I finally found my current agency. The CEO and manager are nice people. There is no pressure like that here. Theyre nice people? Well theyre good people. Seong Jiwon shrugged his shoulders. The CEO and the manager seemed the same, pursuing their ideals and almost neglecting the members when the results didnte instantly. They had such talented people under them. After that, just seeing Today would make me feel sick, like I would throw up. But you know what? What? Since that receipt incident, its just been funny to me. Ah, that one. I remembered Yu Hyeoks desperate face trying to get a receipt he thought was a note. Whenever I think of his expression, it still makes meugh. You also told Yu Hyeok to keep his mouth shut. Haha! I got a bit carried away with that. Todays expressions this time were no joke either. Im definitely going to watch the show when it airs. No matter how much he thought about it, Seong Jiwon kept chuckling. Well, it was funny. When hisughter subsided, he hesitated for a moment before standing up. Anyway, thanks, Hoyun. Youre thanking me? I muttered in confusion. Why? I deeply suspected Seong Jiwon was a fool. On the other hand, Seong Jiwon seemed to see right through my thoughts andughed incredulously. Theres so much I owe you. I actually came out here to say thank you. Seong Jiwon stretched out. I trust you. No matter how many more embarrassing things you do here, Ill trust you. . So please, trust us a little too. Seong Jiwon smiled faintly. I might have been a little arrogant. The other members might have been right. I could have been pressing the elerator too hard by myself. But that was the kind of person Ive always been. Ive lived like this until now. I had to take responsibility on my own. Could I change? No. I chugged the lukewarm yuja tea all at once. Then I got up and followed Seong Jiwon. Jiwon. Seong Jiwons eyes widened. Im sorry. Ill make us number one. That was the only promise I could make right now. I didnt make promises I couldnt keep. Seong Jiwon seemed to understand the meaning behind my words, and although his expression was a bit bitter, he soon patted my shoulder and said to me. Okay. Lets go inside. Its cold. *** Hey. What? Eat this. While waiting in tvK broadcasting stations meeting room, Kim Seonghyeon suddenly threw me a red ginseng packet. It seemed like he had taken it from Seong Jiwon. Uh Thanks. Eat it quickly. Youre supposed to eat something like this once a day. Why is he suddenly like this? He says hes sorry~. Jeong Dajun chimed in from beside him. Apparently, he had regained his energy as he even managed to eat the tteokbokki that the manager had been dying to buy him for lunch. Kim Seonghyeon yfully flicked Jeong Dajuns forehead.[1] Hes regretting it, thats why. Anyway, youre the one who gets all the hate. Hey, you better watch what you say. What are you talking about? Hoyun must know about it already. Kang Ichae snorted. Of course, I knew about it too, but Kim Seonghyeon kept checking on me, worried that I might be feeling down after seeing the publics opinion on the inte. I looked at him with narrowed eyes. Could he really be upset with me? Im such a piece of trash. I felt disgusted with myself, but my first reaction was always to doubt everything. Oh my, arent you our lucky charms! Congrattions on winning the first round! Hello~. Hello! Thank you! Amidst all this, a staff member opened the waiting room door and entered. They were beaming, looking delighted. It looks like our viewership has skyrocketed! Our goal was to reach 1% at best, you know? Hahaha, but the first episode got a 2.3% rating! And the second episode is expected to reach 3%! Wow, that was an impressive rating for a cable show. Its worth celebrating with a firecracker. Its all thanks to The Dawn! Of course, we are the shows sacrificialmbs. Especially Seo Hoyun, what should we do to show our gratitude? The production team should treat you big time. Yes, please treat us big time. Might as well make the most of my sacrificial role. The staff was excited, but Jeong Dajun tilted his head. Is the PD noting today? Oh, the PD is not feeling well today, so Im here instead. Now, lets check the mission for the second round, shall we? The staff handed over an envelope containing the mission. Kim Seonghyeon carefully took it and slowly read the content. Second round mission: Sing a Different Song. Yes! You have to sing a different song! Isnt that the highlight of an idolpetition~?! They were very excited, indeed. On the other hand, our expressions soured. Excluding us, there were four other teams, which meant that there was a 1 in 4 chance that Todays song would be chosen. This would only fan the mes of controversy even more. Now, lets see which groups song The Dawn will be covering! The staff shook the jar containing the lots with a big grin. Since there had been rumors of maniptionst time, I could have bet my wrist that only Todays songs were inside that jar. It wouldnt be a bad thing for the production team. Quick, pick one! Haha Just as Kim Seonghyeon was about to pick a lot with his trembling hand, the door to the meeting room suddenly burst open. PD Kim? It was Kim Heeyeon, her hair disheveled. Wearing her hoodie backward and gripping her phone like a weapon, she looked like a mad woman. PD Kim, what is it? Didnt I tell you I could handle it? Why did youe? Ignoring the staffs words, Kim Heeyeon strode toward the table. A strong smell of alcohol wafted through the air. Her dark circles looked worse, perhaps from the staffs previous drinking party. Get out of here. Kim Heeyeon snatched the jar of lots from Kim Seonghyeon and dumped them all out. The camera director hurriedly stood up. PD Kim! What are you doing?! One by one, she picked up the scattered lots on the table. They all had the same content written on them. [Today Make Love] [Today Make Love] [Today Make Love] [Today Make Love] All four notes were the same. Kang Ichae let out a hollowugh. The staffs face turned pale. PD, have you lost your mind? I told you to make the notes different, you bastard. No, that was when you were drunkst night The Dawn, dont misunderstand. We made a mistake. PD, you cant do this here. Why not! Im the PD! It seemed that Todays agency had already started pushing for this oue. Public opinion had flipped, so they nned to ride the The Dawn vs. Today narrative to higher ratings. It wasnt actually a bad strategy. Thats why everyone expected Todays toe up. But to get caught so tantly was a first. And by the main PD, no less PD! Seriously, were going to get fired like this! Go ahead, fire me, damn it! Id rather be jobless than live like this. Ill report it to thebor office and get somepensation! You crazy? There are cast members right next to you! What! Why! What! Dont you know Im crazy?! It was a total mess. Everyone was watching nkly, and there was only one thought on their minds. The editing its going to be tough. PD! Stop it, dont do that. Ill pick a new one for you. As the staff tried to stop her, Kim Seonghyeon picked up a dropped straw and asked. Are we going to sing our song today? Well The staff hesitated. They knew the answer from that alone. Kim Seonghyeon nced at me. Yes. Kim Heeyeon, the PD, came out confidently. So, dont do it. Ill pick something suitable for you. Just do that. Its the most I can do for you. I want to have a clear conscience. No we want to do this. Kim Seonghyeon said. Hmm? It was unexpected. A hint of color returned to the staffs faces, and Kim Heeyeons face turned sour. What, is everyone here crazy? I really dont get it. Please, let us do this. Jeong Dajun clung to the idea. I didnt even need to say anything. Kim Heeyeon slumped down and messed up her hair. Her already messy hair became even more disheveled. Whats going on? Am I the only one who doesnt understand? Am I the only one feeling anxious right now? PD. I called her discreetly and offered her some red ginseng. Kim Heeyeon red at me, but I shamelessly smiled and tidied up my seat. Then well go prepare the cover song. Sigh. Yes! Were counting on you! As I was about to leave with the members, Kim Heeyeon suddenly followed me. Seo Hoyun, can I talk to you for a moment? Oh, sure. Following Kim Heeyeon, we walked down the hallway to the vending machine. She scratched her cheek and rummaged through her pockets before pulling out some coins. Do you like canned coffee? Yes. Anything is fine. Alright, its not much, but Ill buy you one. Kim Heeyeon fumbled several times with her slightly trembling hand before inserting the coins into the vending machine. She looked nervous. However, the vending machine only took the coins and didnt dispense the drink. At first, she calmly pressed the button. Huh? Umm its not working? Its not? Haha, itll work soon. Just wait a moment. She pressed the button harder and harder. She pushed it until it almost broke, then banged and even kicked it. People were startled by the loud noise and looked over, but Kim Heeyeon just yelled. Damn it, now even the vending machine isnt listening to me! Are they trying to drive me crazy?! Kim PD? A passerby was startled. The person was CP, who appeared to be higher in rank than Kim Heeyeon, but she red at them like a cat. Chief, what are you looking at? Huh?! You have a problem with me? Ah, no, I have work to do, PD Kim. The CP quickly ran away. As expected, she was the crazy one in the broadcasting station. I just waited quietly beside her without saying a word. Kim Heeyeon spent quite some time in front of the vending machine before finally giving up, flipping her bangs, and turning to me. Forget it. Ill buy you something more expensiveter. Okay. Anyway, Seo Hoyun, I didnt call you for this. I wanted to talk about something important. Kim Heeyeon tried her best to calm down as she spoke. Just remember that I owe you one. I made a mistake, and it affected you. Why is it your debt, PD? Its because I was in charge of this crappy program. Even though there was pressure from above, I was the one who carried it out. So, of course, Im responsible. Kim Heeyeon roughly brushed her hair back, annoyed by her bangs that kept poking her eyes. She didnt need to do that. I wouldve been happy to owe them a favor if it were someone else. But because it was Kim Heeyeon, I didnt want to. I looked at her and realized. If I refused, I would only scratch her pride even more. Alright. Good, you made the right decision. Just let me know anytime. If its within my ability, Ill do it for you. Kim Heeyeon said that, and again, she mmed the vending machine. Strangely enough, a few drinks fell out. Huffing, Kim Heeyeon left the drinks behind and walked away with giant strides. Hmm. Kim Heeyeon was starting to feel a bacsh. Everything was going as desired. *** Whats going on? I asked only after drawing a lot and returning to the practice room. Everyones spirits were higher thanst time. Even more so after the guerri performance. Their eyes were filled with murderous intent as if to say, Ill kill anyone who gets in my way. This time, well really, really, really do better. Jeong Dajun stammered. I talked with Seonghyeon all night yesterday. Truthfully. What kind of development was this? As I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrows, Jeong Dajun clenched his fist. If we choose a song by Today and perform it better much better we can prove that were better than them. Right, that too. And its better to think of this as a revenge match. Hmm? This wasnt the development I had in mind. Well, it would be great for me if we continued to have a rivalry with Today. My team members were so pumped up that my worries from yesterday about one of them losing their mental strength seemed unfounded. What if they didnt win first ce? Wouldnt their mental state plummet? As I stood there hesitating, Seong Jiwon patted my shoulder. Hoyun, its not about winning first ce in thispetition. Its about showing people what we can do. Youre like a mind-reading ghost. Haha, I learned from the best. Seong Jiwon smirked. As Dajun said, lets show everyone were much better than Today. So much that no one can say anything about our skills. Kang Ichae held up his thumb. Hyung, you said it too. What? That just doing well isnt enough. We have to do extraordinarily well. Kang Ichae opened hisptop. It had notes on Todays songs and concepts neatly organized in an Excel file. Honestly, I was surprised. What is this? I organized it yesterday. All night. Honestly, I thought we would perform with another groups song at least once, so I had been preparing little by little, but not knowing which group it would be with made it difficult. Well, after yesterday, it was obvious that Today was the one, so I organized all the concepts and interpretations of the songs they had. I also decided on the arrangement atmosphere so we can be ready for any song we pick. What was up with these guys? As I stared at them in shock, Kang Ichae nced at Seong Jiwon and continued. Fortunately, Jiwon-hyung knows a lot about their situation, which made organizing much easier. Is Make Love within the scope of what we considered? Yeah. Weve even thought about the direction of the arrangement for that one. Kang Ichae rattled on. Look, as you can see from the Make Love teaser video, Todays vocal line is weak in both high and low notes. So, were going toy the rap with low notes and put Jiwon-hyung and Hoyun-hyung on high notes to fill in the sound density. No, no. What? You dont like it? I raised my hand to stop Kang Ichae. Its not that I didnt like it or that I was jealous. When did you guys have time to prepare this? Kang Ichae tilted his head and replied nonchntly. When you were sleeping? When Jiwon-hyung went to talk to you! Werent you guys sleeping? So, you werent gossiping about me behind my back? Kang Ichae, you didnte into the room because you went to talk about this? What, did you think I went out because I didnt want to see your face? Actually, I did. Speechless, Kang Ichae burst intoughter. Wow You were really hurt because we talked without you, huh? Ha~, how can this hyung be so sensitive~. Are you crazy? I was annoyed, but my team was already looking at me with strangely proud faces. Kim Seonghyeon sighed. We have to do our best too. . We cant just take whats given to us. I clenched my jaw for a while at his words, ruffled my hair, and looked at Kang Ichae. How are we going to arrange it? Kang Ichae grinned. [1] The sentence is actually , which literally trantes to Kim Seonghyeon hit Jeong Dajuns honey night. is a Korean ng word that trantes to honey night but is used to describe a yful, light p, or flick to someones forehead, usually among friends or people who are close.
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! Chapter 40 Chapter 40 When I see you, I feel like walking on distant clouds, You dont need to consider. Todays Make Love was a fresh love song. It told the story of falling in love at first sight with someone they met in college in their early twenties. The song also had a catchy tropical vibe. Kang Ichaeughed for a while as he skimmed through the lyrics. How on earth did they pull off a fresh concept with this? Why? I thought I knew the reason, but I didnt want to say it in front of Jeong Dajun, so I just looked away. As an early study abroad student, Kang Ichae couldnt help but burst outughing. Didnt anyone at the agency object to this? Its like someone who knows absolutely no English just pped any random English words on. Make Love. In other words lets make love.[1] Ill just leave it at that. Do you think so too? Why didnt the lyricist stop them? Look at this. Seong Jiwon held up a printout with the lyrics written on it. [Lyricist: Yu Hyeok] We all (excluding Jeong Dajun) facepalmed. So thats why. Yep. Wait, whats it about?! We ignored Jeong Dajun and continued discussing the arrangement. Since its already like this, I think it wouldnt be bad to go for a sexy concept. If we add some string instruments, we can create a grand atmosphere too. So, weve decided on the direction for the arrangement? Yeah, I think we know what we need to do. The melody line is a bit nd, but I want to really bring it out dramatically. Kang Ichae kept jotting down his endless ideas. But what about our concept? It was a good question. We dont have much time, so lets take a chance. A chance? I held up my phone and called an expert in this field. Immediately, Lee Jihyeon burst through the door with a bang. Me! Oh, Jihyeon. Youre here. I want to decide on the concept! Jihyeon was like a concept-obsessed ghost. She quickly brushed her hair back and eagerly spoke. Apetition program is the perfect ce to try out a unique concept that strays from the main ns! The Glow! concept fromst time was amazing! Id like to talk to the person who thought of that idea. If Jeong Dajun takes the lead like in the post-apocalyptic song, we can create apletely different universe concept It had begun. Uh, uh Yeah The other members were mesmerized by Jihyeons words. Just as the conversation about the concept was getting heated, I raised my hand, knowing that Jihyeon and the other members would handle the rest. Im going to step out for a bit. Can you guys take care of the rest? Ah, sure. Where are you going? Kim Seonghyeon held me back. Hes probably suspicious that I will do something crazy on my own. But I didnt blink an eye as I answered. Im going to meet my younger brother for a bit. Brother? Yeah, the one from the hospitalst time. Take care~. Jeong Dajun bid me farewell cheerfully. I quickly asked Jihyeon for a favor, slipped out of the practice room, and found the scammers number I had called earlier. Just in case, I brushed my bangs down and flipped my hat backward. More and more people have recognized me since I started appearing on YouTube. As I left the onlookers behind and got into a taxi, I made a phone call. Yes, Im on my way. I heard the sounding from the other end of the phone. As I looked out the taxi window, I saw a Shining Star advertisement bus passing by in the distance. The Today members were stered all over it, and Kim Seonghyeons anxious gaze came to mind. Seonghyeon, Im sorry. This is solid information. Im going to do something crazy, thats for sure. You wont regret it. *** The job of a paparazzi was notmon. However, with the recent Hallyu wave sweeping across Asia and Chinese gossip magazines picking up on the trend, being a paparazzi became quite lucrative. There was no ce too far for them when there were rumors to be sniffed out. Although the job involved digging into peoples private lives, it was very satisfying for the morallycking Kim Jaeyeon. Having seen numerous stars up close, Kim Jaeyeon was now intently focused on the man before him. Seo Hoyun was a man enjoying newfound fame. His agency, Daepaseong Entertainment,unched a new idol group that flopped as soon as it debuted. Yet, public opinion shifted in their favor after Hoyun joined them. There was the robbery case, the egg incident, and Hoyuns extraordinary performance in the current Shining Star. It was too well-timed to be a mere coincidence. In every incident, Hoyun took an unpredictable route. But it had nothing to do with Kim Jaeyeon, so it was fine. That is until Hoyun suddenly contacted him out of the blue. Seo Hoyun. Yes, Kim Jaeyeon. Kim Jaeyeon was taken aback. He had always used a pseudonym, but now Hoyun addressed him by his real name. Lets put aside how you found out my name. Okay. How on earth did you get in touch with me? Unexpectedly, the man in question ordered lemonade while flipping through the menu. He then calmly rested his chin on his hand and started speaking nonsense. I wrote a number on each rose petal and scattered them on the ground Your number came up. Excuse me? Suddenly, he clenched his fist and banged on the table, mumbling curses like a lunatic about lines and the damned system. Kim Jaeyeon frowned, but Seo Hoyun just sighed and spoke as if nothing had happened. Its not the rose petals Its amon method, you know. I dont think its that different from your familiar methods. Sweat trickled down Jaeyeons back. This guy was not just an ordinary idol. Hoyuns gaze swept over him. What I know about your side is not particrly important. What I know is probably what youre more curious about. Jaeyeon impatiently shook his legs. When the lemonade arrived, Hoyun took it and slowly stirred it with a straw. Is the information reliable? Give it a try. Seo Hoyun smirked. Today and drug use. This is huge! Jaeyeon excitedly covered his mouth. Today was a well-known idol group even in China. They were also affiliated with a reasonablyrge agency. If someone were to dig deeper, they would likely uncover even more secrets. As Jaeyeon calcted in his head, Hoyuns face froze over. Ugh, these paparazzi. I sighed. Jaeyeon was a rtively well-connected figure even during his days as a TV producer. Being in his mid-30s, his clean-cut appearance could easily be mistaken for a businessman. This is what paparazzi were likedigging for information, relentlessly extracting everything they could, and then dropping their subjects without remorse. When I probed for club information I heard from Mazes Vocal, I naturally heard stories of drugs being handled there. It was unthinkable that Today, who frequented the ce as if it were their home, didnt know about it. If you dig around the ce I mentionedst time, youll find something soon enough. But, Seo Hoyun, why dont you also dig into the sponsorship issues? Thats already well-known. Nonsense. I just didnt want to involve Seong Jiwon. It was possible that even Seong Jiwon, who was once in Todays agency and almost took the center position, would be implicated. With my twirling straw, I poked at the thinly sliced lemon in my drink. Even if you blow it up, itll be blocked soon. In that case, you should focus on an area where you, Kim Jaeyeon, can excel. A drug scandal involving a celebrity is a great scoop. You know that too? Theres a limit to what I know. A news article will being out soon. Kim Jaeyeon looked at him with delight and suspicion, then shrugged his shoulders. The timing is up to me. Thats a bit difficult. Our principle is to break the news as soon as possible. You have to save the tastiest bit forst. Haha! Thats true. Kim Jaeyeonughed as if amused by his firm response. Either way, it wasnt bad for him. It was better to release information in batches. The value of the information Kim Jaeyeon passed on would be at its highest if released when Todays stock price was rising, and the timing was most appropriate. Itll take some time to investigate anyway. Its not a bad condition. Sounds good. Yes. Its strange. Youre giving everything away so easily, which is good for me. But isnt it too risky for Seo Hoyun? Doesnt thepany know about this? Kim Jaeyeon was curious and kept digging. Whats the purpose of exposing Todays drug scandal? You dont need to know such useless information, Jaeyeon. What if I expose you as the source of information? Your ship will sink along with mine. I burst intoughter. Thats what being a paparazzi was always ready to stab each other in the back, so there had to be at least one restraint. This must be a threat, asking for something in return. Go ahead and expose it. How cute. If you want to go down with me, Kim Jaeyeon. Now, lets talk about my tactics for dealing with the paparazzi. First, throw out some tempting bait. Second, sweettalk them. And the most crucial third step: If they dont know the favor they owe and expose you, teach them a lesson! Kim Jaeyeon, youve been working soooo hard. Its time for you to take a break from the prison-like atmosphere, isnt it? What? Kim Jaeyeon stiffened and hesitated while gulping down his Americano. Ill pretend I didnt hear it. Lets pretend we didnt hear each others remarks. We casually buried each others weaknesses likendmines, then shook hands and got up. Ill be counting on you. Yeah. This is a great help. Thank you. Kim Jaeyeon regained hisposure and was smiling. He must be happy. The table was already set; he just needed to lift the spoon. He would definitely enjoy this. As he was shrugging his shoulders and about to leave, Kim Jaeyeon let out a displeasedugh. Oh! By the way. Yes. This isnt a threat but a favor out of gratitude. Ill give you a bonus. What was it? I raised my eyebrows. Whenever this happens, always Kim Seonghyeon. Kim Jaeyeon approached quietly and whispered. Hearing what he whispered, my eyes narrowed. I slowly calcted it in my head. Innocent but delicate Kim Seonghyeon. I tried to match what I heard from the whispers to his traits. Is it made up? Uh? Why are you like this? Annoyingly naive. Whos the source? Its confirmed. I checked before meeting you. You might want to block this in advance. I nodded my head. Although he seemed to have said everything, Kim Jaeyeon didnt distance himself but stared at me nkly. What is it? Are you and Joo Woosung close? In case Woosung. Alright, alright. I got it. My icy re worked, and he quickly backed away to avoid any sparks. I drank the lemonade and tilted my head back out of frustration. Just when I try to stop one thing, all sorts of problems pop up What should I do? Kim Seonghyeon. An incident from high school. School bullying. Withdrawal. Words that didnt suit him were tangled up in my head. [1] Its exactly what you think it is.
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! Chapter 41 Chapter 41 Heres a question: Who is Kim Seonghyeon? First batter: Seong Jiwon. Huh? Seonghyeon? Hes a good guy. Always considerate and caring. He might look scary, but if you think about it, Hoyun isnt exactly a pushover either Ah, I get it. Its a joke. Its not a joke! Come on, Hoyun, you know Im not serious, right? Second batter: Kang Ichae, Jeong Dajun. Why are you asking that all of a sudden? Well Sometimes hes more of a parent than our actual parents. I heard he has a lot of younger siblings, so maybe thats why hes responsible. He remembers even the smallest details! He remembers me stubbing my toe two years ago and always tells me to be careful. I didnt ask. Yes Third batter: the manager. When I think of our Seonghyeon, I cant help but tear up He really started crying. Hes been silently supporting us since he was ourpanys very first trainee, even though we havent done much for him. He always listens to me and respects us. Hes truly amazing. If I had a son, you know, Id want him to grow up like him. How about you, Hoyun? If my son were Seo Hoyun, that might be a bit scary. Yeah. Sorry, Hoyun. Phew Dont sigh! Its scary! Ignoring the manager, I turned away. Why was someone as highly praised as Kim Seonghyeon have school bullying rumors? After finishing practice, I red at Kim Seonghyeon. He misunderstood something and threw me a new bottle of water. Why? Not this? Do you want something else? No, this is fine. But what should I say here? What happened to you? Are the bullying rumors true? You cant just ask that out of the blue. Whats wrong? Youre being weird. Never mind If something hurts, tell me. Well go to the hospital right away. I said Im fine. Youre more irritable than usual today. Kim Seonghyeon clicked his tongue and walked away. When I thought about it, Kim Seonghyeon rarely got angry. I tried to recall the moments when Kim Seonghyeon lost his temper:
  1. When I was new and the team was on the verge of breaking apart.
  2. When I got hit with an egg.
  3. When I picked Today and took responsibility for it alone.
Am I the trash? No matter how I thought about it, Kim Seonghyeon hadnt done anything wrong. His anger was always for the good of the team or for others. Until now, it was hard to imagine the Kim Seonghyeon I knew was hurting others. No, I didnt know. You can know about a road ten miles long, but you cant know a person one mile deep. And in the entertainment industry, that was especially true. It was a world where people could smile one moment and stab you in the back the next. I should only believe in what was certain. The important thing was that Kim Seonghyeon withdrew from school, and there were rumors of bullying. Even if Kim Seonghyeon imed innocence, people would believe only the rumors and a stigma would be attached to him. Then that was the end for The Dawn. What should I do? [Quest Arrival! Learn about Kim Seonghyeons past. Kim Seonghyeon is very reluctant to talk about the incident. Ask him about the whole story. Sess: Kim Seonghyeons trust increases, main scenario progresses, Failure: Poprity drastically decreases, impossibility to release an album within a year. Note: Three days until the bullying rumors break out] Crazy. The system window that appeared after a long time was very excited. As I stared at the quest window, my head became a mess. But it was helpful. Three days until the bullying rumors break out. It meant someone was already harboring ill will towards Kim Seonghyeon. I calcted the date. If it was three days, then two days after that was the start of the second round of thepetition. If I cant resolve the bullying rumors by then, Ill obviously fail. Lets practice again. At Seong Jiwons words, I jumped up. Right now, it wasnt the right time to ask. After practicing for a while, it was already dawn. Jeong Dajun mumbled. Do you think itll really work out this time? We got lucky. Honestly, I think our version of Today is better than the original. Right? Ichae is really good atposing. You just realized my greatness? What aboutposer Lim Hyeonsu? Compared to her, my skills are garbage. Kang Ichae conceded quickly for some reason. It seemed he genuinely respected Lim Hyeonsu. I crawled onto the practice room floor, exhausted. Lets go back to the dorm and get some sleep. Whats gotten into you, the practice maniac? Of course, well return for more practice after sleeping for a few hours. Where did my human rights go? Kang Ichae grumbled but followed Seong Jiwon to his feet. However, Kim Seonghyeon suddenly started pacing on his own. Whats going on, Kim Seonghyeon? Arent you leaving? I want to practice more before going. If I dont do it now, I feel like Ill forget. Wow, youre really crazy too. Okay, but make sure to get some sleep. I will. Hoyun, lets go. I hesitated. As much as I wanted to go back to the dorm and sleep, I could not miss the chance to talk to Kim Seonghyeon alone. Ill practice a bit more before I leave. Ugh, why are you both like this? Jiwons practice spirit must be contagious. Kang Ichae clicked his tongue. Everyone was too tired to protest, so they just got up and left the practice room. Kim Seonghyeon nced at them. What part do you want to practice from? I want to start from the part where I make up my mind. Alright. As soon as I said that, the rearranged song by Kang Ichae flowed out. The sound of a flute came through the majestic intro of string instruments. As I tried to match my harmony with Kim Seonghyeon, he suddenly stopped and hesitated. Theres an expression called walking on clouds. Instead of a solo dance here, lets change it to a group military dance expressing the trembling of the wind. How? If I stand in front here. Kim Seonghyeon continued his exnation in a gentle tone. I didnt really listen to half of it. Even if I had seriously listened, I wouldnt have understood. I just could feel that Kim Seonghyeon was genuinely passionate about this stage. Hey, are you listening? I wasnt listening. Seo Hoyun, you. Lets talk about it when everyones here. I can understand it better if we look at it as a whole. I said that as Iy down exhausted. While fuming, Kim Seonghyeon continued to ponder and scribble on paper. Kim Seonghyeon. Yeah. Why did you be an idol? Huh? I asked indirectly, but it seemed like an unexpected question for Kim Seonghyeon. He stopped writing and looked at me. Why did you do it? I had no choice. Theres no such thing as no choice.'' Well, sometimes there is when you live in this world. Living in this world, sometimes a system window suddenly appeared and made me be an idol Threatening perfectly normal people. At that, Kim Seonghyeon let out a hollowugh as if he was speechless. Answer me. Youre really strange today. Kim Seonghyeon nced at me, threw his pen down, andy down with a flop. Its obvious, isnt it? I used to be a B-boy and got cast on the street, and it seemed interesting and I liked the other guys too. Were you with Daepaseong Entertainment from the beginning? Yep. Unlike Seong Jiwon, Ive been with Daepaseong from the start. Im the first idol trainee here, arent I? Yes, Kim Seonghyeon-sunbae. Please teach me well. First, make sure you take vitamins and get enough sleep As I joked, Kim Seonghyeon began to nag half-seriously, half-jokingly. I blocked my ears to shut out his nagging and threw a bait. Since high school? Huh? Have you been a trainee since high school? Kim Seonghyeons face went oddly stiff at the mention of high school. His answer came muchter. Not at that time. . Back then, I was just I just liked dancing, like a fool. Like a fool. As I stared at Kim Seonghyeons face, he suddenly got up. Weve practiced enough for today. Lets go back, have some supplements, and sleep. We have to get going soon if we want to meet up with the guys. Alright. I tried to carefully dig and uncover his past, but I failed. I couldnt ask any more questions when Kim Seonghyeon had that expression. I shrugged my shoulders and left. *** Wow! Isnt this the Hageuksang Idol? After barely catching some sleep at the dorm, I headed to thepany, only to find Joo Woosung sitting lively in the lobby. The members who didnt know what to do anxiously sat beside him. I made an annoyed face. Why was Joo Woosung here? No, before that. Whats Hageuksang Idol? You dont know? Thats your recent nickname. My nickname? Why was that my nickname? I was still half-asleep and drinking water when Joo Woosung chuckled. The second episode aired yesterday, right? Though not all of the first round was shown, people-in-the-know know you chose Today. Ah, that. So, thats why I was the Hageuksang Idol.[1] I should be more careful when going out. I dont want to be attacked by Todays fans. Wow, I knew this guy was crazy, but I never thought he would go this far. Is that why you came to talk to me? No, not just that. I mean, I came to see you guys too. And I have something to talk about. Joo Woosung licked his lips and looked at the members. Realizing what he meant, I gestured to the members. Ill be back soon. Go in first. Okay. If you have something to say, just say it. Sunbae, Ill go in first. Yeah, fighting. Seong Jiwon bowed, and the rest of the members rushed into the practice room, relieved. I looked around in the lobby. Then I brought Joo Woosung into a conference room. Is this something we cant talk about in the lobby? Why cant we just go to a cafe? I dont want to drink dust in your shabby building. Ill be killed if I go out now. Right, youre the type of person who cares about that stuff. Are you kidding me? As a PD, I had to dodge all kinds of anti-fans, sneak out through the back door, and hide in the parking lot to go home. Kim Heeyeon asked me if I was an idol at that time No,e to think of it, I am an idol now, right? Hey. Ah, yes. I hurriedly returned from my trip down memoryne and looked at Joo Woosung. He was sitting in a chair, fiddling with the conference room microphone. It wouldnt be, but Yes. Im just asking. Yes. Im not doubting you, but. Stop being annoying and just ask quickly. Whats with all the hesitation? As I showed my annoyance, Joo Woosung scratched the back of his head. Have you met the paparazzi? I raised my eyebrows. Ah, I think I knew what Joo Woosung was anxious about. Did you meet Kim Jaeyeon? Thats not his name, but maybe his pseudonym. Youre more naive than I thought. I muttered and pressed my temples. From the beginning, I knew Kim Jaeyeon was that kind of person, but my threats must have been weak. It was already annoying dealing with uncontroble people, let alone him. I buried myself deep in the chair and pondered how to deal with this as my eyes met Joo Woosungs. Sigh. I scoffed at him. You came here because you were afraid that I said something, right? This guy really needs to fix his attitude. No, Joo Woosung, you dont have to worry about that. Despite my firm words, Joo Woosung still didnt believe me. Then why did you meet him? Im plotting something. What? To be the number one on Shining Star. What? Are you still thinking about that useless dream? Joo Woosung scoffed. Its not going to happen. Todays agency seems to be pushing hard this time. You should be able to tell from how the production staff treats you guys. I know. I get it. Then why are you doing this? There are many ways in this world. Talking around the subject, Joo Woosung didnt press the issue to the end. But my shoulders drooped. Its good that youre doing something, but take care of your teammates too. When I mentioned you, they didnt say anything, but their faces said it all. On the left, it read anxiety, and on the right, affection. Theyre all worried about where youll go next, and its pitiful. Thats I closed my mouth as I tried to argue. There was nothing to say. The question lingered. Have you, Joo Woosung, ever done that? [1] (hageuksang) can refer to a younger person being disrespectful towards their senior.
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! Chapter 42 Chapter 42 What? Have you ever worried about your team members? Like, what if something happens to them, some kind of ident or incident? Well, Im the biggest troublemaker of all, so I know that. As soon as Joo Woosung got into a rtionship, it turned into a huge mess. Joo Woosung crossed his arms and thought deeply. Generally, our kids are good, so nothing like that ever happened. Oh, but there was one time some member shouted about doing a musical and messed it up big time. Ended up drinking lots of soju to heal. Didnt you stop them? I didnt. I thought they would do well. If I had stopped them in the first ce, they would have just lost their spirit. At least they tried to challenge themselves. Isnt sess more important? Without that kind of experience, you cant seed. If youre too scared to try, opportunities will fly away. Surprisingly, Joo Woosung was giving some very sunbae-like advice. I thought he would be more realistic, considering how difficult it was to even talk about challenges at his level. I tapped my fingers on the desk as I listened. So, trust is important? Were all in the same boat, after all. Joo Woosung mumbled. But why? Anything happened? I heard about Kim Seonghyeons school bullying rumor. Really? Im not sure if its true. As soon as I said it honestly, Joo Woosung rolled his eyes, looking troubled. Sorry, I dont have much to say about that. Its a very sensitive issue. Thats okay. There was a simr controversy about one of our members as well. Smoking, and all It was a false usation, though. Joo Woosung sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Seo Hoyun, youll realize this as you work here. Theres really no end to strange happenings. People are curious about why they would hate me so much. The higher you go, the more people want to bring you down. Just remember that where theres smoke, there isnt always fire. So dont act impulsively. Joo Woosung chose his words carefully. It was a sensitive issue and something that shouldnt be done, so his words were cautious. I slowly went over Joo Woosungs words in my head. It was the most serious I had ever seen him since knowing him. At least trust him once. No matter what anyone says, hes in the same boat as you. He was right. I epted his advice as it was. I suddenly froze as I sorted out myplicated thoughts and stood up. Ding! [Surprise! Oops, I made a mistake!! >//< Kim Seonghyeons school bullying controversy exploded much faster than expected. Exin the situation and stop the controversy. Stop Kim Seonghyeon Controversy 0/1 Sess: Main scenario proceeds Failure: If not resolved before Shining Star ends, The Dawns reputation will significantly decline] The issue had blown up. *** As my expression hardened, Joo Woosung seemed to notice the atmosphere and left. When I rushed to the practice room, the guys who had already caught wind of the incident looked grim. I snatched the cell phone that Kim Seonghyeon was nkly staring at with a dumbfounded expression. Wait. What was on the cellphone was a post on somemunity site. I slowly read the title. [Title: Exposing the school bullying of Kim Seonghyeon from The Dawn. Hello. I am exposing the school bullying of Kim Seonghyeon from The Dawn. I am a graduate of XX High School, which Kim Seonghyeon attended. I tried to forget about it, but seeing Kim Seonghyeon shamelessly appearing on TV again, I couldnt hold back and am posting this. Kim Seonghyeon and I were in the same ss. Kim Seonghyeon harassed a ssmate, Hwang-something, terribly. He not only extorted money but also verbally abused and asionally even assaulted him. Everyone was too scared to stop him. One day, Kim Seonghyeon tried to extort money from Hwang-something. When he refused, Kim Seonghyeon assaulted him, leaving Hwang to suffer some injuries that took two weeks to heal. Kim Seonghyeon left the school without any remorse but ultimately received disciplinary action due to the victims testimony. Also, he ended up dropping out a monthter. The proof of my high school attendance is at the bottom of this post. I cannot forgive Kim Seonghyeon for shamelessly appearing on TV as if nothing had happened.] Huh. I quickly scrolled down to read more. There was a high school graduation album but no other proof. It was filled with vague words, and the writer wasnt even a direct victim. The only thing that caught my attention was Kim Seonghyeon receiving disciplinary action because of the victims testimony. Hyung. Hey, just a moment Kim Seonghyeon looked pale. I deliberately didnt return his phone and held onto him. Kim Seonghyeon. Tell me everything that happened in high school. Everyone looked at me as if I had lost my mind. Kim Seonghyeon furrowed his brows. What? First, tell me if its true or not. That way, I can figure out what countermeasures to take. Everyone was taken aback by the blunt words I suddenly blurted out. Hyung, what are you talking about right now? Hoyun, are you doubting Seonghyeon? Everyone treated me as if I was sick. It seemed Kim Seonghyeon had been living diligently. No one else thought that way, judging by their reactions. Kim Seonghyeons face was so pale it was turning blue. Tell me quickly. If I didnt trust you, I wouldnt have asked. The incident already blew up. Hyung! Jeong Dajun widened his alreadyrge eyes. Hyung, I I think its nonsense. Theres no way you would do that. Kim Seonghyeon let out a bitterugh, and I folded my arms and stared at him. Seong Jiwon calmed down the animated Jeong Dajun. Lets hear him out first. Seong Jiwon and the others had known Kim Seonghyeon for about 2-3 years at best. However, because they practiced together daily and lived even closer than anyone else, their trust in him couldnt help but be one-sided. Kim Seonghyeon let out a sigh and put his hand on his forehead. Its not true. The things written there Its really not true. I swear, Ive never bullied anyone. Neither extortion nor assault. Out of habit, I tried to gauge whether he was sincere. At that moment, Joo Woosungs words echoed in my mind. Since were a team and on the same boat anyway, I should try trusting him. What about the disciplinary action? Thats true. The story doesnt add up. Hoyun. Seong Jiwon cautiously tried to stop me. I was already thinking of a n in my head. Soon, the manager and CEO will talk about this too. We need to sort this out before then. So, tell me everything honestly. If theres even a little lie, I wont be able to help you. Seo Hoyun. Kim Seonghyeon pressed his furrowing brow as if he had a headache. Then he let out another sigh and slumped down. Yeah, my story doesnt add up. I didnt assault anyone, but I received disciplinary action. It doesnt make sense. Kim Seonghyeon murmured with a deted expression. But its not true. How could I do that to him? To him? I was friends with the victim written here. Kim Seonghyeon looked bitter. After wetting his lips several times, as if he had made up his mind, he began his story carefully and slowly. I might have thought we were friends, but at least we talked to each other. Suddenly, he was targeted and harassed. I was scared and just watched. One day, I saw him being beaten in an alley next to the school and ran to help. I called the police and helped him. I decided to listen to Kim Seonghyeons words now, believing they were 100% sincere. That was my bestpromise. I arranged the whole story of Kim Seonghyeons incident chronologically in my head. But the moment the police arrived, the bullies startedughing and said I was the one who hit him. The victim, my friend, also pointed to me as the assant under their pressure. In the end, I received disciplinary action, and ever since that incident, my hands would shake whenever I went to school. So, I dropped out. My family didnt have money to send me to college anyway So, I wasted my time like a cripple, then started dancing again, did a lot of part-time jobs, and tried bing an idol. Kim Seonghyeonughed bitterly. Thats how it happened. [Quest Sess! Find out about Kim Seonghyeons past. Kim Seonghyeons trustworthiness (very) slightly increased, main scenario progress] Even though a quest sess notification appeared, it was the first time I felt so uneasy. At that moment, Jeong Dajun suddenly started crying. Hyung. Why, why is this happening? Im sorry. I didnt even know about this and kept nagging you constantly. Hey, hey. Dont cry. Stop. Kim Seonghyeon, flustered, threw his rolling coat at Jeong Dajun. Jeong Dajun grabbed it, wiped away his tears that flowed like a faucet, and blew his nose. Kim Seonghyeons expression soured. Hey, why are you blowing your nose? Its hard to breathe because my nose is stuffy With my coat? Argh, Ill buy you a nice one when I earn lots of money. Jeong Dajun, still tearful, grumbled. The atmosphere had lightened up a lot. Seong Jiwon cautiouslyforted Kim Seonghyeon. Youve been through a lot. Hyung, you really struggled. Kang Ichae also followed andforted Kim Seonghyeon. Kim Seonghyeon didnt speak, as if his nose hurt. While he hung his head and endured it alone, I stored the entire incident in my head. Well have to rify this. Kim Seonghyeon, are you in contact with that friend? As I asked nonchntly, Kim Seonghyeon shook his head. I havent contacted him since I dropped out. Then what about witnesses at the time of the incident? That too as far as I know, there were none. Kim Seonghyeon spoke gloomily. I weighed the article that hade out and Kim Seonghyeons best exnation that he could give. I guessed which side would be more advantageous. I finished calcting. Then lets not exin this right now. What?! Jeong Dajun jumped up. Hyung, thats not possible. How many misunderstandings do people have right now? Seonghyeon is such a good person. We need to clear up the misunderstanding quickly. Itll backfire if we do it now. I agree with that too. Seong Jiwon, who had remained silent, stepped forward. He made an apologetic face toward Kim Seonghyeon. If we cant even get in touch with the victim, theres nothing we can do. Seong Jiwon was right. Even if we imed it wasnt a proper exnation, the bacsh would only grow. Can we quickly take care of it now and then exinter? No, if we do that, people will forget. Then, only thebel of school bully will remain. I racked my brain. The manager would soon enter the practice room. I grabbed Kim Seonghyeons shoulder. Kim Seonghyeon. Yeah I trust you. Kim Seonghyeons eyes wavered.
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! Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Im sorry, but being the trash that I am, trusting you is the bestpromise I can make. I couldnt just unconditionally ept Kim Seonghyeons words and say it was okay. That would only make things worse. Assuming everything you say is true. Instead of nodding hesitantly, Kim Seonghyeon asked me a question. What are you going to do? Listen carefully. I told him all the ns I had in mind. Originally, I would never have told him. The members who heard the whole story let out a sigh. This is unbelievable Hyung, are you still human after all this? I am human. Everyone held their heads as they became dizzy from listening. Seong Jiwon spoke with a pale, sickened face, The risk is too high. I have no choice. What about the stress Seonghyeon will face during this time? Turn off your phone. Dont look at the inte. Cut off your connection to the outside worldpletely. How can you say that? We have to go on stage. Everyone objected, but I was serious. I grabbed Kim Seonghyeon. Kim Seonghyeon, your opinion is important. If you say no, I wont do it. But if you say its okay, Ill go all the way. Kim Seonghyeon hesitated for a moment and then let out a bitterugh. It would be good for the team and me if it goes well. What if it fails? If it fails well fall without even hitting rock bottom. Thats true. Kim Seonghyeon was cautious, as his own fate was on the line. He hung his head and rubbed the back of his neck. I guess I should be grateful that youre even telling me this. Originally, you wouldnt have said anything and just carried on. He hit the nail on the head. I thought I had wrapped it up well, but Kim Seonghyeon knew me better than I thought. I dont know what kind of face I made, but Kim Seonghyeon looked at me and smiled. Then Ill make up my mind too. He nodded. It was decided. At that moment, the manager kicked open the practice room door and ran inte. Guys! Did you see whats happening right now?! Huh, S-Seonghyeon. Seonghyeon, lets send the others out first so we can just talk between us. It might be a bit ufortable No, its okay. Kim Seonghyeon gave a firm answer and took a roll of kimbap from the bag the manager was holding. He unwrapped it quickly and stuffed it into his mouth enthusiastically. Weve already talked about everything. Huh! Okay, I see. Um, can you exin a bit to me Im not going to exin right now. Its not true. Whaaat? Were going to practice for now. Whaaat? Kim Seonghyeon took out another roll of kimbap and threw it to Seong Jiwon. Jiwon caught it and unwrapped the kimbap with a venomous expression. Kang Ichae gently smiled and pushed the manager out of the room. Alright! So, manager, please talk to the CEO for us. Guys! Manager, if thepany tries to make the announcement first, let me know. Ill talk to the CEO. As I snatched some kimbap from Seong Jiwon, I spoke to the manager. The managers face turned blue, possibly recalling the previous incident with the CEO. The manager, who clearly didnt want to get involved between the CEO and me, hurried towards the door. Ill do my best to persuade him. Please, I appreciate it. Seonghyeon! Fighting! I believe in you! Of course you should! The manager left noisily. As Kim Seonghyeon ate his kimbap, I saw him choke up. I pretended not to notice. *** [Oh, why would this lucky guy call me?] Kim Jaeyeon. I called Kim Jaeyeon as I headed toward tvK Broadcasting Station. Kim Jaeyeons whining voice came from the other side of the phone. Wow, its a huge hit, really. Im sure itll blow up Today, and then itll be a straight path to sess. Its definitely the right time now, isnt it? If youre worried about that, you dont have to be. Kim Jaeyeon, you didnt listen to me, did you? Yes? What did I say about making contact with Joo Woosung? Huh? What are you talking about? Kim Jaeyeon stopped mumbling. I unconsciously scanned across the smoking room to see if Kim Heeyeon was there. It seems like my words were taken as a joke. But I was serious. Ha ha ha! I dont know what youre talking about. Its starting to get annoying. Do you remember when you suddenly had to pull out of the third-generation chaebols case from XX Construction? Theyre still grinding their teeth over there. And they dont even know its you, Jaeyeon. Wow seriously? The silence continued from the other side as if he was speechless. Then Kim Jaeyeon let out a groan. How on earth could that have? Is this the time to question me? Dont you know who you should be apologizing to right now? I purposely went hard on him. Kim Jaeyeon was startled, and after a while, he finally apologized. I guess I really messed up. I wont bother you anymore. Im sorry. Yes. Apology epted, but you have to do me a favor. This is the first time Ive seen an idol like this I rubbed my ears. An apology is an apology, but I still had to get what I deserved. This time, it wasnt a deal. It was a threat. Look into the whereabouts of a friend named Hwang Jungkyu from XX High School, a ssmate of Kim Seonghyeon. As soon as possible. I could hear Kim Jaeyeon grumbling over the phone, but I didnt care. I just said please and hung up, then went striding into tvK Broadcasting Station. There was a massive poster of Shining Star stered in the lobby. Isnt that Seo Hoyun? Yeah, thats him. The murmuring sounded unusually loud. I guess I managed to escape the rumor mill for a while. [Now, hes a rising idol, even more so than just a face people know!] Well, I was quite grateful. I got on the elevator and walked towards where Shining Stars PD, Kim Heeyeon, was. I asked a staff member I recognized, and soon Kim Heeyeon came rushing over. Seeing her eyes full of dark circles, I could tell she had probably been editing all night. She quietly closed the door to the meeting room and came in. Hello. Yes, Hoyun. Kim Heeyeon sighed. It seemed that even just looking at my face made her sigh now. I couldnt help but smirk at the thought. It was like this before, and it seems nothing has changed this time either. Do you regreting here? Excuse me? Werent you thrilled to get back at Today, but then got scared after a while? I didnt think you were that type. I just smiled without saying anything. Both Kim Heeyeon and I knew it wasnt a serious joke. Kim Heeyeon shook her head and wiped her face. So, Kim Seonghyeon? Thats right. We would like to know if Seonghyeon will be leaving the show. I hope you guys make a decision quickly. You dont even check if its real or fake. What difference would it make if I did? People only believe what they want to believe. She was right. In this aspect, Kim Heeyeon and I had the same way of thinking. Seonghyeon wont leave the show. Thats not what I came to talk about. You said you owe me something, remember? I did. I tapped on the table. I calcted the actual broadcast time and stage performances. The second episode has already aired. Todays stage and our first round ofpetition will be shown in the third episode. Thats when it will be revealed that I chose Today. It seems so. I came to ask for a favor with the editing. Editing? Kim Heeyeonughed bitterly and ruffled her hair, looking troubled. Hoyun, its true that I owe you a favor, but I can do nothing on my end. If I edit that scene, Ill getints from my superiors, and the viewers forum will be filled with protests. Im not asking you to edit that part. Then what? Do you want me to edit it more favorably? Like adding in cheers and narrative? No. That wasnt what I meant. Please edit it negatively. Negatively? Yes, the devils edit. Kim Heeyeons eyes wavered. Then she quicklyposed herself. I must have misheard you. Do you want me to give Today the devils edit? No, I cant do that. The bacsh from their agency would be no joke. I said I would repay the favor within my capabilities. No, PD. When did I say it was about Today? I spoke calmly. Its Seonghyeon. Please give Kim Seonghyeon the devils edit. Kim Heeyeons expression was priceless.
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! Chapter 45 Chapter 45 Great job! Thank you! With a thunderous cheer behind us, we hurriedly left the stage. As we hastily took off our durumagi[1], we swept our sweat-soaked hair up. Did it go well? Yeah, really well. It went much, much better than during the rehearsal when we didnt wear the durumagi robes. Sure enough, as the camera director passed by, he gave us a thumbs-up. Wow, that was amazing! The fierceness in the members eyes was incredible! Thank you! Who decided to add the dance break? Oh, that was me. The formation was so good! I havent seen a performance of this quality in a long time. It was even better than the rehearsal. Th-thank you! With red ears, Kim Seonghyeon bowed his head in gratitude. As the camera director walked away with a chuckle, we turned and headed toward the waiting room. Maze was about to go onto the stage. Well cheer you on. Thank you This time, the gaze that fell upon us was a mixture of acknowledgment and admiration. The most prominent emotions, however, were undoubtedly wariness. Well done, Kim Seonghyeon. It was the highest praise for a rookie who suddenly rose to the asion. There was a sense of aplishment in having Kim Seonghyeon as the main focus of our performance. Everyone seemed to share the same thought as we entered the waiting room with proud expressions. Lets wait! Yay, great job, everyone! As soon as we entered the waiting room, Mazes performance started. They do have a good vocalist, though. I should have checked the stats when we passed by earlier. Well, even if their vocalist was good, he still couldnt quitepete with Seong Jiwon or Joo Woosung. Destroyers of the ecosystem Being diligent, Seong Jiwon didnt take his eyes off the monitor as he watched Mazes performance intensely. Only after the song ended did he exhale and chug down some water. [The next performance is by Today!] Its our sunbae, Today. Kang Ichae tantly sneered. While watching Today get onto the stage, I first studied their costumes. It was a dead giveaway. Second Chance. There was no other choice, really. Well, there are only two songs, and we already used Glow. We watched Todays performance more seriously than anyone else. Their stage was extravagant, and their outfits were covered head to toe in luxury brands. However, there was an unmistakable anxiety on Todays faces that they couldnt hide. I smirked. Nervous, huh. Their anxiety became apparent after seeing our performance. Meanwhile, a familiar beat rang out. Say it once more, its the beginning for us, I wille back every time. The concept hasnt changed. Yeah, it seems they just used the same one. In thispetition, our team and Today chose utterly different routes. While we modified Make Love into apletely different concept, maintaining only the backbone of the melody and the core lyrics, Today stuck to the original Second Chance concept and only slightly changed the beat. I guess the n was to crush thepetition with their skills I honestly assessed the situation. Its not going to work. !! H-hyung! Seong Jiwon gasped for breath. Jeong Dajun was startled and said, The camera is rolling. Should I be more diplomatic? Should I call up a dialogue box in the system and change it to Not good at all? As I contemted such a trivial matter, the other members (excluding Kang Ichae, of course) looked at me anxiously, so I kindly exined. Were bound to get criticized anyway. I didnt expect Kim Heeyeon to go so far. Hearing that, everyone rolled their eyes and nodded. It makes sense when you think about it? Jeong Dajun was convinced and returned his attention to Todays performance. I shook my head as I watched the part that was originally mine. Did they really understand the concept? It was so cool when Hoyun sang it, but why does it seem so awkward when they do it? Thats only because I did it well. Whether he was bold or perceptive, Kang Ichae, who usually didnt pay attention to the camera, burst intoughter when one of Todays members stumbled through the rap, cutting out an entire verse. Whats this? Is it aedy show? As expected, Kang Ichae was a terrifying chatterbox. No need to worry, Ill lead you-! Whoaaa! Even their main vocalist cracked. He tried to hastily smooth it over with a cool demeanor, but the audience clenched their fists in embarrassment. Ah I cant watch this Jeong Dajun seemed to hit the empathy max as he screamed. I chuckled and sipped my red ginseng juice. Cracking must be so embarrassing. Our song does have a high vocal range. Still, as idols. Its a bit excessive to be unable to do that Thats what they meant. It was quite harsh. Everyone finally let out the words theyd been thinking, and their faces looked as refreshed as if they had juste out of a bathhouse. After Todays performance ended, our talk continued for quite some time. Whew, what would we have done if we held all that in? Hyung, you were the worst of all. I smirked and tossed the red ginseng juice wrapper into the trash bin. The Dawn, its time to go up! Alright! Upon the staffs words, everyone quickly stood up from their seats. As we stepped outside and headed toward the stage, we crossed paths with the Nightmare group. Se-Seo Hoyun-sunbae! ? Nightmares youngest member, Lee Hanseong, approached me as if he had been waiting. Im not your senior. Ive only debuted a month ago. Ah? Really? Then Seo Hoyun? Or should I call you hyung? You were so cool earlier! Whats this about? Hanseong made fists with both hands, said what he wanted to say, and then walked away with a flushed face. The Nightmare members patted his back with a pleased expression. What was that? As I mumbled in surprise, Kang Ichae sneaked up to me and whispered. Hyung is popr~. Why me? Last time, you could have chosen among Nightmare, Maze, and Refined, but you purposely picked the biggest challenge among them. They think you generously gave them a chance with a selfless heart. What? Iughed bitterly. I swore that wasnt my intention. Kids are so sweet. They only think positively. What? Hyung is indeed cool. Ichae grinned and moved away. I slightly furrowed my brows, shrugged my shoulders, and cleared my thoughts. Lets focus. As we went up on stage, a loud cheer filled the hall. Now, its time for the long-awaited announcement, isnt it? Yu Jia smiled brightly. She was really something. Well start by announcing the 4th ce. They captured the judges hearts with a fresh concept different from their usual style. Hermentary was lengthy. It was a typical tactic of survival programs, deliberately dragging things out to build tension. Cameras were focused on us during that time. Jeong Dajun showed a tense, frozen expression. In 4th ce! Refined! Oh, dear. Although the Refined members looked slightly disappointed, they quicklyposed themselves. Their leader waved with a bright smile to the fans. Not too bad. It seems the on-site votes had a significant impact. Thepetition had now be a head-to-head battle. Until the first round, The Dawns fans had been dominant, possibly due to the various controversies involved. However, after what appeared with Today, public opinionpletely changed. The already numerous Today fans flocked to thepetition and fiercely supported them against The Dawn. Is this going the way I wanted? I couldnt help but smile, even though I knew I shouldnt. Yu Jia proceeded to announce the 3rd ce. In 3rd ce, its Nightmare! Wow! The youngest Nightmare member, who had greeted me earlier, jumped up in surprise. Climbing from the 5th to the 3rd ce was a remarkable improvement, especially considering they had the least experience among the program participants. Nightmare members bowed and greeted everyone. Now, only the 1st, 2nd, and 5th ces were left to be announced. Just as they were about to announce the 5th ce, Jeong Dajun grabbed my sleeve. Oh dear. Dajuns head hung low, his fingertips trembling slightly, seemingly a mix of nervousness and anxiety. Since he was a minor, he looked especially young. I called out to him. Jeong Dajun. Y-yes, yes. Lift your head. He didnt do anything wrong. Yu Jia nced at us with a sympathetic smile and opened her mouth. In 5th ce, with 1,500 points, its The Dawn! ! Kim Seonghyeons face turned pale. I yfully hit him and then tried to give him a reassuring smile. Without any reaction, Kim Seonghyeon tightly closed his mouth. His face seemed to say, Im terribly sorry. He must have thought he had ruined everything because of the bullying controversy. Thank you. I bowed to Yu Jia and the fans. The judges faces clearly showed mixed emotions: Impressive, Pitiful, and Sorry. The apologetic faces were undoubtedly from our fans. I waved and smiled brightly at them. First ce goes to Today! Congrattions to Maze foring in second ce! Wow! Thank you! Today smiled brightly and waved at the cameras and fans. I didnt want to watch it anymore. I hurriedly greeted people and went backstage to change out of my costume. Guys! Great job! Yes~ The manager tried to lift our spirits with a cheerful expression. However, it didnt affect Kim Seonghyeon at all. Seonghyeon pressed his fingers against his forehead and let out a small sigh. Guys, Im sor. Do you guys want to eat tteokbokki on the way back? Huh? Tteokbokki! And sundae! Ah, can I also order some fish cakes then? Sure. Theres a food stand on the way. Manager, can we buy tteokbokki on the way back?! The moment Kim Seonghyeon tried to apologize, all the members pretended not to hear him. Seonghyeon hesitated and was about to speak again. Guys, its all my fault that we ranked 5th. Kim Seonghyeon. I put my arm around Seonghyeons shoulder. He frowned deeply. Seonghyeon, what am I then? Im the main contributor to this situation. What? No way If its not me, then its not you either. Hyung, dont look so down. It doesnt suit you. Kang Ichae yfully poked the flustered Seonghyeon, whose eyes were shaking. Kim Seonghyeon, youre too soft. Seonghyeon, do you know whats most important in a survival show? Its the narrative. Its been a long time since everything went ording to my n. Everything was in my hands. Think about it. We ranked 5th here and then win 1st ce. How would that be, Kang Ichae? It would be a huge hit, hyung. Kang Ichae smirked cleverly beside me. I proudly patted Ichaes back. Thats right, a huge hit. Ichae excitedly rattled off various memes. [Fromst ce to awakening and rising to 1st ce.] [A true underdog hiding their strength.] [An idol group with real talent that was unfairly oppressed.] Nice. I like all the titles. Lets see how far we can go. How well would this story be received in Korea, where people are ustomed to spicy vors? *** [Title: Todays N-Tube rankings are already up, 1st ce: TDY, 2nd ce: MZ, 3rd ce: NYTM, 4th ce: RFND, and 5th ce: TD[2] Is there any meaning in concealing the names with initials? What?!????? TD is 5th ce???? Werent they 1st cest time? What happened? Thispetition was so well done ;;;; Year-end stage level Dont exaggerate too much Go watch the preview] [Title: After manipting the rankings, The Dawns ranking is confirmed at 5th ce LMAO, the real biggest victim of the show Proven through evil editing So innovative The production team shouldpensate them Whatpensation? TDs fandom has grown so much this time Really, when I think about it, these fuckers, they were all over the ce iming The Dawn was rigged, but now theyre quiet, huh??] [Title: Todays blooper has already be a meme and is spreading around But they won 1st ce TD paved the way, but they burned it dow TD: ??? Seo Hoyun: You cant take advantage of this..? (Confused) Todays fans must be really embarrassed Today: Ill find my own path, evil Voice support ] The onlinemunity was on fire. [Preview/Shining Star 2nd Round Competition: The Dawns Make Love Totally cool (Likes 3241) Honestly, this should have been 1st ce Were the people on-site blind? (Likes 10453) Half of them were Todays fans They must know Today doesnt deserve 1st ce Lets not criticize Kim Seonghyeons skills even if we criticize his character (Likes 241) Please remove thisment Yeah, Kim Seonghyeon school bully Kim Seonghyeon school bully Kim Seonghyeon school bully Whats the original song? I cant listen to the original key anymore because its so boring (Likes 3152)] N-Tube was on fire. [Lets try starting over, sliding click Lets try starting over, sliding click Lets try starting over, sliding click Lets try starting over, sliding click.] [Seo Hoyun is a godly genius rabbit idol, and Ill ept any objections with the most expensive Seo Hoyun photocards] [Seong Jiwon, I love you: Theres only one sun in the world (a picture of aiming a gun at the sun)] [Ichaes noona: Mom, why is my friends name Kang Ichae? Because her mom loves Kang Ichae. What about my name? Good question, Shining Star 2nd roundpetition Make Love Kang Ichae] SNS was on fire. All the memes came out one after another. However, there was only one quiet ce. Kim Seonghyeons fans ounts. Most of them went private after the school bullying scandal, and they quietlymented. [ Honestly Kim Seonghyeon killed it this time He was the center But why cant I brag about it because Im being considerate My heart aches] [I cry every time I think about Seonghyeon] [Graduation photo proof? There are tons of people who buy those and fake it If that photo is proof, then Im best friends with Yu Jia and private friends with Joo Woosung, huh??? Getting beaten everywhere with just that one graduation photo proof, shit Its so pathetic, really] [When they got 5th ce, Seonghyeons face looked like he was so sorry, even though he did so well Why does he have to look sorry when he did well] [Today, I sent another PDF of hatements to the agency. I hope Seonghyeon isnt having a hard time] With the 3rd and final livepetition approaching, all sorts of controversy gathered. From maniption controversies, school bullying, various hardships, evil editing, and new stages. With unprecedented moves, Shining Stars ratings soared, and were on the verge of breaking through to the universe. Ive been waiting and waiting. After the 4th episode of Shining Star aired, and a record-breaking 5.7% rating for a cablepetition program was achieved, I picked up the phone. Yes, Kim Jaeyeon. In other words, to put it another way. Did you get the photos? Now was the time when some refreshing cider was needed. [1] A durumagi is a traditional Korean overcoat that is worn over hanboks. [2] In Hangul, each syble must have at least one consonant and one vowel. The consonantes first, followed by the vowel. The original Korean text only contained the consonant, hence the reply about the initials. So, Today / / , Maze / / , Nightmare / / , Refined / / , and The Dawn / / .
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! Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Wow, there are so many people today. I know, right? Is there a variety show filming today? We decided to film our reaction to the 4th episode that just aired on the tvK Broadcasting Station. As we peeked outside from our van, we noticed that there were more people in front of the station than usual. Even when filming a variety show, its not usually this crowded, right? If I were them, Id rather wait in front of the agency since I wouldnt know when well arrive at the broadcasting station We quickly became familiar with the faces of the well-connected PDs and staff members rather than the celebrities in front of the broadcasting station. Our manager nced at his rearview mirror and spoke. Do you want to get out first? Oh, yes. It didnt matter whether we entered through the underground parking lot or the main entrance, so I nodded and got out of the van. Suddenly, we heard loud voices calling us. Wow! The Dawn! Dajuuuuun! Hoyun! Seo Hoyun! This was unexpected. Should we get back in? Hey, are you kidding? We cant get back in now. At Jeong Dajuns innocent question, Kang Ichae pushed him out of the van. I hurriedly grabbed the dazed Kim Seonghyeon and bowed our heads as we entered the broadcasting station. Only after rushing into the broadcasting station did we look at each other. What was that? Uh No, seriously What just happened? I dont know either We repeated the dumbfounded conversation. No, really, we couldnt understand. The stares from inside the broadcasting station were still the same. Before our manager arrived, Shining Stars writer came running out in socks. Oh my, our lucky charms! It was still an unadapted nickname. Good to see you, good to see you. Was it harding here? Were fine. There are a lot of people outside today, right? Yeah. Apparently, theyre all here to see The Dawn and the Shining Star cast members! You know, Shining Stars ratings have been explosive recently. The ratings were indeed exploding. I admit to that. Thanks to that, our poprity seemed somewhat maintained, even if we didnt make it to first ce here. They didnt mention Kim Seonghyeons school bullying controversy and him leaving the show because we were ultimately helping the ratings. The writer had always been kind on the surface, but I felt a strange boundary. Today, especially, the writer seemed overly friendly, which made me suspicious. My mind raced. Ah, now I understand. She must have secured a reward because of the good ratings. Im jealous. Uh? What did you say? Nothing. Im jealous. I stared at the writer. The rating for the 4th episode was close to 6% because we were used as sacrificial offerings. If I had secured a reward vacation like that, I would have taken care of The Dawn more carefully. The entire tvK Broadcasting Station was now covered with Shining Star posters. The poprity we couldnt feel until just a few months ago hit us all at once. Sit down, sit down. The writer guided us to the prepared location to film our reaction to the 4th episode. We sat at arge conference room table and turned on the wall-mounted TV, and a pre-set video came on. However, we couldnt concentrate on the reaction because we were worried about the absent Kim Heeyeon. Where did she go? Wow, Hoyun looks so handsome! You came out pretty~. While I was thinking about the absence of Kim Heeyeon, the 4th episode ended before I knew it. At the same time, another staff member entered and started the third-round performance announcement. Shall we start the third-round performance announcement? Yes! The third round is a free-concept performance, meaning you can do whatever you want! I knew something was fishy, and now I got it. Jeong Dajun asked cautiously. Werent we doing that until now? This time, its different! This time, you can produce the concept, songeverything ording to your preference~. However, you cant use songs from your original album! I have a feeling. The Today side must have already prepared theeback song to this extent. So, it was clear that they gave us a free concept, meaning we could do anything we wanted. I calcted in my head. How much time do we have left We have a week toe on stage and practice and then ten days until the live broadcast! Make a new song in just ten days? Yes! These guys The production crew didnt seem to know I was the type to spit at smiling faces, so they just grinned brightly. I couldnt actually spit in front of the camera, so I just stuck out my tongue inside my mouth. This made things difficult. Even though we had prepared everything else, it wouldnt be a perfect narrative if we presented a nd performance in the third round. After the production crew finished speaking and left, we were given some time to discuss amongst ourselves. So, we have to choose a song within the next two days, right? Is that even possible? Well, if we were given a demo or something. Usually, other agencies would have some songs stored to the side, so we could just choose from them. Do we have any stored songs? Pineapple. Pass! We couldnt use such a disastrous song for Shining Stars finale. Should I try to squeeze something out of Lim Hyeonsu? But, even if I pushed Hyeonsu to the limit, the time was too tight, and there was no guarantee that the result would be good. Moreover, Hyeonsu was a card that I wanted to save for more critical situations. Ignoring Jeong Dajuns frustrated pop pop pop sounds, I was spinning my pen when my eyes met Kang Ichaes. It seemed like he had something to say. What? Hehe Kang Ichae made a sly face and acted cute. This was suspicious. What is it, you little punk? Just spit it out. Hyung, were at the broadcasting station. Ah, right. I had forgotten I was supposed to watch mynguage because I was an old, tired office worker. I pretended to zip my lips, and the other members lightlyughed. Hoyun-hyung, Seonghyeon-hyung, Jiwon-hyung, Dajun, Im Kang Ichae. I know. Your name is Kang Ichae. I have five songs that Ive worked on. No way! I clenched my fist but then stopped myself. If I got my hopes up and it didnt work out, I would be the one feeling sad. Didnt you only do the arrangements? Ah, hyung, dont be like that. Of course, I learned a lot aboutposing skills from Lim Hyeonsu. Wanna listen? Kang Ichae confidently brought out his cell phone. He must be quite confident in his work to let us listen right away. With a mix of anticipation and worry, we all stared intently at Kang Ichaes phone as the first song yed. Before even the first verse passed, a gleam appeared on everyones face. Ichae. Yes. You truly are Ichae. Kang Ichae had lived up to his name. I really made a good choice. Kang Ichae, why did you say you were okay with Pineapple when you could do something like this? I learned it recently too. I just got interested in what theposer was doing and tried it a little bit. Lim Hyeonsu would cry if she heard this. How could the song be this good after just trying it a bit? Did he already know how to y instruments? I looked at Kang Ichae suspiciously, but he just pretended not to know anything. After listening to a few more songs, we stopped. Ill ask theposer again. Just in case. Hey, this is already really, really good. Kang Ichae scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed. Anyway, it was great. I checked the songs on a piece of paper. I like the second one the most. Its grand and has an orchestra, giving off a finale vibe. Finale sounds good. Seong Jiwon nodded in agreement. I noticed Kim Seonghyeon, who had been acting unusually quiet, was ncing around. Hey, Seonghyeon, the one whos looking around. Uh Say what you want to say quickly. Kim Seonghyeon hesitated a few more times before finally opening his mouth. What about a concept like the birth of a star? The name of the program is Shining Star, after all. Right, its a name made for idols to shine. Hmm. It wasnt bad, but it was an ordinary concept. The term Shining Star implied that it would make someone a star. However Do you have any other ideas? With MSG, things would change. Before bringing up the topic, I waited for Kim Seonghyeons words. He looked anxious as if he had something important to say. After a moment of hesitation, Kim Seonghyeon spoke. Weve been through so much throughout the program. We thought we could shine, but there were constant conflicts during the shooting. I was secretly surprised. So were the other members. We didnt expect Kim Seonghyeon to talk about his struggles in front of the camera, even if it was somewhat gentle. The camera excitedly captured every scene. The fifth episode would be broadcast soon and it was about time this kind of story came out. I read it in a magazine when I was young. Stars need intense friction from the beginning. As nebe collide, the internal pressure increases, and the heat and temperature rise, creating a nucleus at its center and forming a baby star! Was that in Korean just now? When Jeong Dajun mumbled in confusion, Seong Jiwon briefly tranted. So, a star is born after going through that much hardship? Kim Seonghyeon nodded. Yes. And after going through that, the baby star can shine on its own after enduring gravity and nuclear fusion. So Ah, Im not even sure what Im trying to say. I understood what he meant. So far, our struggles were inevitable, and after oveing them, we finally became stars that can shine on their own. How about making that our story? When I summarized it, Kim Seonghyeon nodded vigorously. As I twirled my pen, I thought about the synergy between the final stage and the concept, and my eyes met with Kim Seonghyeons. We smiled at each other for a moment. It would be amazing if we really got first ce. Okay. Ill ept. It could be touching to the fans, and the narrative would be good. Seong Jiwon also nodded. I like it too. The lyrics mighte out pretty. Oh, should we try doubling here? Wait,s?! Space?! Can I arrange the sound to be grander? Hyung Eh, is Seonghyeon-hyung bing a star? Then, can I make a wish to hyung? Everyone said what they wanted to say. Ding! [It must have rubbed off from Seo Hoyun!] What did I do? I habitually stopped twirling my pen and stood up straight. Lets go back to the practice room and discuss. Can we get choreography? Well have to do it ourselves again What could we expect from a small to mid-sized agency? But the dancing duo, Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun, were already getting heated discussing the choreography. So, here its like, pat pat! No, its not pat pat. It should be a sweep. Sweep, sweep, and then boom. Uh, Im not sure lets listen to the song again and talk. I didnt know if it was Korean, but I believed they would do well. If the other membersid the groundwork, all I had to do was enjoy it. When the final decision was made on the song and concept, and the camera director thought he had filmed enough, he packed up the camera and left. Hey, handsome weirdo. Handsome weirdo? It was Kim Heeyeon. She approached, looking much tidier than before. It means a handsome crazy guy. Ah. At my t response, Kim Heeyeon snickered. Handsome weirdo, so, did your life improve? After the evil editing? Thanks to you. I appreciate you epting my request. Ah, seriously, I really dont know. Kim Heeyeon brushed her hair back. You guys managed to suppress the maniption controversy by getting fifth ce after the evil editing. That was the right thing to do. Its better to quiet down the controversy like that than to leave it unresolved. Ah, well I rolled my eyes. Kim Heeyeon seemed to think that the evil editing I asked for, focusing on Kim Seonghyeon, was a way to calm down our maniption controversy. Killing two birds with one stone.[1] Isnt it strange? Did I misunderstand the meaning? Isnt it a case of different strokes for different folks? No, you can interpret it in the original meaning. Kim Heeyeon frowned. We managed to calm the maniption controversy, but we havent been able to get the second bird yet. I really dont know what youre thinking. Not at all. Youll find out soon. I grinned, and Kim Heeyeon, frustrated, pounded her chest. Anyway, stop by the express bus terminal station on your way back. It looked like you hadnt been there yet. Its very shy. Huh? Huh, thepany didnt tell you? What is it? Not knowing, I asked. Kim Heeyeon let out a slightly disgruntled smile. Really, how does Daepaseong Entertainment handle its work? Didnt you know theres an electronic signboard? An electronic signboard? [1] The original text was , which literally trantes to Eating the pheasant and its eggs.
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! Chapter 47 Chapter 47 Electronic signboard? Wow, you really dont know. Look it up on the inte as you go. Alright Im off! Kim Heeyeon sashayed out of the room, waving her hand. I was left dumbfounded, and then I caught Seong Jiwon staring nkly at a distance. Seong Jiwon. Huh? Did we, like, get an electronic signboard or something? What? What are you talking about? Seong Jiwon, as if hearing the story for the first time, tilted his head. I immediately pulled out my phone and searched. The moment I entered the SNS, the information came up. While searching, a good idea came to mind. I grinned and turned to the members. Hey, guys. Yes? Who wants to do something fun? Everyone frowned, not understanding. I shook my phone and hummed a tune. Everyones eyes widened at my unfamiliar behavior. *** You guys, dont be alone for the time being. The noisy car instantly quieted down at the managers words. Absolutely! Stick together, and always stay with me. Got it? Huh? Understand? I secretly grimaced at the manager, who was checking the members nods through the rearview mirror. Manager. Huh? You know, the Express Bus Terminal Station. Whoa! As soon as I said that, the manager was startled and twitched. Then he cleared his throat. Ha. Ha. Ha. Guys, arent you hungry? The manager knows. He and thepany were deliberately keeping it hush-hush. The Kim Seonghyeon controversy had blown up quite a bit, and the gaze on The Dawn was not very pleasant, so they seemed to want to let it pass quietly. It seemed like they were nning to gather the signboard news and show it all at onceter. Certainly not a bad decision, but I started the engine slowly. Im hungry, manager. Ah, right? Should I buy some kimbap or something? Can I ask you to? I deliberately smiled softer than usual. I could feel the other guys stiffen around me. Our manager, who was a good person but a bit slow, didnt seem to notice as heughed heartily and parked the car. Alright, guys! Wait here for a moment! Okay. We quietly nodded. As soon as the manager left the car and entered the kimbap store, I got out of the passenger seat and immediately got into the drivers seat. Escape. It was a massive escape. Holding the steering wheel, I hummed a tune. Are we really going? Of course. With the van? Theres a perfectly functioning car here, so why bother catching a taxi. Everyones eyes widened in shock. I discreetly signaled Seong Jiwon. Jiwon, send the manager a gift card or something. An expensive one. And call him, telling him to take a break at a caf for an hour or so. Okay! We just have to pick him upter, right? Was Seong Jiwon unexpectedly excited? I thought he would stop me, but he was the most excited and called the manager. The managers bewildered voice echoed from the other side of the phone. Manager, take a break! Well be back in an hour! Jiwon looked thrilled as if he were a child doing something naughty. Jeong Dajun nced at me. Hoyun-hyung, your drivers license ss 1, perfect score on the written test, perfect score on the practical test. Good. Lets go. And so, we escaped. The great escape of rookie idols. Even with the van in tow. When the manager hurriedly bought the kimbap and left the store, the van was already nowhere to be found. Is this for real? *** I led the members to the express bus terminal. At first, some of the anxious members suddenly charged ahead as if their reins had been loosened. Seong Jiwon constantly checked his phone for directions. Is it this way? Ah, no, not here? Uh, I think its over there. Everyone had their hoods and hats pulled down, but they still gave off an Im a celebrity vibe. It wasnt long ago that they had only appeared briefly on television, but they were already attracting attention like this I watched them fondly for a moment before turning back to Seong Jiwon, who was about to enter the wrong ce. Its this way! Uh, isnt it over there? Right, its that way. Everyone seemed excited, either chatting away or whistling. I slowly followed them, observing the chaotic subway station. I used tomute like this every day. Now, I can hardly even ride the subway. Thepany was so cautious about it. After always riding in a van, being in the subway felt like returning to my everyday life after so long. I paused to take in the familiar scenery before turning my head toward the members. Hyung! Hyung! Jeong Dajun excitedly pulled me. And then, I saw the advertisements on the subway station wall. Arge group photo of the members and a smaller individual photo of each member were disyed. [We support your shining days] Wow I thought Id be thinking, Wow, they must have spent a lot of money on this when I saw it. Here too! Apparently not. [The Dawn, please cast your precious vote.] It just felt overwhelming. Seong Jiwon yfully hit my flushed face. The members were smiling brightly, waving at something. I stared at the photo in a daze before moving forward. Guys, there are post-its attached here too? Where? Personal billboards. Ah, really. Did the fans put them up? The members were still buzzing, unable to believe that fans put up ads and left messages for them. Kim Seonghyeon stared at his billboard with a choked-up expression. His was filled with some post-its that were [Seonghyeon, were supporting you] [Weve fallen for the kind-heartedness youve shown and always trust you] [Seonghyeon-oppa Youre my source of energy. Fighting today as well!] The messages were considerate of recent controversies. Kim Seonghyeon hung his head and stood still for a long time. His hands were trembling. Youre lucky, Kim Seonghyeon. I patted his shoulder and moved away, thinking he might want to be alone. Not far from him, there was a billboard with my face on it. There were many post-its attached to it as well. As if in a trance, I approached the billboard. A calm smile on my face. It seemed to be a photo from the time of our guerri performance. Judging by my neat hair, it must have been before I got eggs thrown at me. Did I smile like this? I raised my hand and touched the photo gently. There was a message written below my face. [Hoyun, you are my light] Really I was never that kind of person. Sorry. My heart felt heavy. I read the post-its next to it. [Hoyun, I tried to stop being a K-pop fan but couldnt. I fell for you at first sight. Take responsibility!] [Lets get married] I couldnt help butugh. I read the message below that. It was a bit more serious. [Always calm Hoyun, I like that side of you too, but I hope you wont carry everything on your own] [I hope you have only happy and joyful moments!!] [Oppa, if you ever have a hard time, just tell us ] It seemed like this time had been full of ups and downs. Seeing the fans worrying like this As I read the messages, I felt a strange sensation. It was odd to have countless people saying kind words to me rather than criticism. Always getting scolded for sticking to the main job, taking on responsibility It was amazing to receive unconditional love here, the more effort you put in. I stared at the Post-its with fascination. The content, the writers, the handwriting were all different, but they all shared the same feeling. They wanted me to be happy. Ah, this It felt suffocating. I took my time to read thest Post-it. [Hoyun, I love you a lot.] I repeated the words to myself, then slowly peeled off the Post-it. From top to bottom, I removed them all, one by one, without missing a single one. It was the first time I had done something without any n. *** [Guys??? Why are there no Post-its?] [Oh, theyre really gone] [Ugh, did the admins take them off? We were going to clean upter Was the announcement not made properly?] [Ah, thats a shame It was fun to see those post-its] Fans reacted in real time. The fansite master, who had hung Seo Hoyuns photo as the representative, couldnt hide her disappointment. Still, she couldnt openly talk about the post-its on the official ount. The kids are already involved in controversies Its better not to get into trouble for nothing. But it was still a pity. Ill have to ask the supporterster. While refreshing the timeline, suddenly, everyone was flooded with tears. Huh? Whats going on? Why is this happening? For a moment, her heart sank. Damn it, she was afraid that a controversy might have erupted because of some sudden reaction. The fansite master calmed her heart and slowly understood the context. And then she saw a video that popped up. [A video appeared on themunity forum Hoyun is taking the post-its ] Heol It was unbelievable. The fansite master watched Seo Hoyun, who was wearing a cap, slowly and carefully peeling off the post-its. Why is he wearing jeans? No, whats with taking the Post-its? Hoyun! The fansite master covered her mouth. She couldnt see Seo Hoyuns face, but seeing him previously taking one post-it at a time, a tear welled up. My poor baby There wasnt much content in the post-its, right? From what she saw in passing, they were all messages of support, so there shouldnt be any major issues. Everyone just wrote a lot of cheesy expressions of love and support. It made her heart feel warm. Why did he take them? Theres nothing special He should just keep letterster. [The other kids took them too They must havee to see them together] [Is Kim Seonghyeon crying right now?] [Heol, really?] [It seems like hes trying to hold back his tears ] [Theres nothing bad written on the post-its, right?] [Not that I know of Maybe hes just overwhelmed] [Wow Seonghyeon Were sorry ] Wow, its a mess on Kim Seonghyeons side too. People say you cant sell someones personality, but Kim Seonghyeon was famous for being kind even among core fans. He had always taken care of the fans one by one. And finally, chaos erupted. The fans who had been holding back for Kim Seonghyeon saw him cry and burst into tears. [You, who sees a Post-it and cries, whats with the bullying, you fucking bastard!!!!! Stop grabbing people by the hair!!!] [Im really sorry, Seonghyeon. From the very beginning, it was suspicious They reacted well to Nightmare and Refined (even though it was edited), but if it were me, I would have been upset with Today Why?? Is there something with Today?? Its nothing] Although they tried to be quiet from their private ounts, the reaction was too big, and it eventually flowed to themunity. [Title: Is there a reason for Kim Seonghyeons reaction? Kim Seonghyeon is famous for taking good care of Nightmare kids too So the Nightmare fandom also likes Kim Seonghyeon. I think theres something between Kim Seonghyeon and Today] [Title: Is it because of Seong Jiwon? Seong Jiwon was originally in Todays debut team, and after he was eliminated, their rtionship must have soured. Ah Dont randomly drag Jiwon into this Sorry, sorry] [Title: But really, why?? Kim Seonghyeons expression is really not good Dont give attention to the bully ] And those posts piled up and eventually gave birth to one popr post. [Popr post: Ill summarize exactly why Kim Seonghyeon hates Today]
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! Chapter 48 Chapter 48 [Title: The reason why Kim Seonghyeon absolutely hates Today, thoroughly analyzed after watching Shining Star. First of all, only facts have been organized, excluding a few controversies.
  1. Kim Seonghyeon is a genuinely upright and well-behaved young man. Kim Seonghyeons stories? Theyre overflowing. Its just that theyre not well-known because hes so modest Its natural for him to be nice to his fans, maybe because he has three younger siblings, but he also takes good care of his members. Hes been involved in volunteer work with abandoned dogs, orphanages, and even a small organization he has supported for six years.
  2. On the other hand, Today, theyre screwed up.
First, their fan-hatred is extremely severe. (Their fans are like bodhisattvas for putting up with it) They only pretend to be friendly to sessful people. They love clubs and girls even more. There are rumors of sponsorships and assaults, but since these are not facts, they are excluded for now.
  1. So why does Kim Seonghyeon hate Today? I think the connection is Seong Jiwon.
Seong Jiwon was originally the center of Today, but suddenly left and joined Daepaseong Entertainment. He then debuted with Kim Seonghyeon. The two have a good rtionship. But this time, in the broadcast, we see the following scenes: Today ignores Seong Jiwon Seong Jiwon tries tough, but his expression is not good As they quickly pass by, Today is heard swearing at Seong Jiwon Kim Seonghyeons face stiffens next to him Todays disdain for Seong Jiwon is evident. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I think this is the decisive reason why Kim Seonghyeon hates Today so much. Conclusion: Today has a messed-up character, and Kim Seonghyeon hates them for it. Those who im Kim Seonghyeon is a school bully after seeing this are just antis who cant grasp the context. Why are you so mad? I already gave you the conclusion, you fucking bastard. Can you even pass the college entrance exam at that kind of level? Oozing with sincerity[1] Spitting facts, bullshit my ass[2] Youre obviously a Kim Seonghyeon fan Go to another forum, not here Isnt Kim Seonghyeon too overrated, to the point of attracting anti-fans? Are you a fan of Today? But it seems like a valid point When I watch the show, I also feel that Today is biased Especially more toward The Dawn Agree Todays One and Only[3]. Bring up actual evidence of Todays character Physiognomy If this is true, itll be a holy pilgrimage] I checked themunity and nodded. With the ratings approaching 6 percent, its only natural that all attention is focused on Shining Star. The stories about Kim Seonghyeon were slowly resurfacing, well-organized, and very good. [Please.] I couldnt help but let out a stifledugh as I texted Kim Jaeyeon. The time hase. The time hase indeed. Jeong Dajun intercepted from the side. I nced at him. Finally! We can face each other on stage! Thats not what I meant, but sure. I patted Jeong Dajuns head. He was so pure and innocent, with chubby cheeks that made him look like a tiny puppy. Your gaze was weird just now. Why? You looked at me like a small animal. Exactly. Ah, hyung! He was quick-witted in times like these. Ignoring what Jeong Dajun was saying, I nced at the stage. The finalpetition was to be broadcast live. We were at the broadcasting station for a special rehearsal to prevent idents. On the day, theres a dry rehearsal and then a camera rehearsal before the actual broadcast. We still have plenty of chances to prepare, but today we must perfectly align our movements. Jiwon-hyung is at it again What did you say, Ichae? Hyung, you look great today! The best! Kang Ichae quickly gave a thumbs-up. Seong Jiwon knew everything but just let it slide with a [4] expression. The finalpetition. Were heading towards the end. The other members rehearsal began. The order was determined by drawing lots, and we were right before Today. The members seemed slightly disappointed, but I thought it wasnt bad. And then Hey! Before I could finish my thought, the vocalist of Maz approached. Hello. Youre looking sharp today, huh? Thanks. Mazs vocalist was friendlier than I had thought. He grinned and approached me, greeting Seong Jiwon casually. He seemed to have grown fond of me for some reason. I guessed that shing with Today significantly impacted his favorable impression of me. Did you prepare well? Not bad. How about you guys? Haha, weve let go of our greed a bit. ? Ah~, the leisure of being first ce. Today is alsote. Mazs vocalist sighed deeply. He seemed to be fishing for information. I deliberately stayed quiet, and he shrugged his shoulders. You guys still dont know. His reaction was a bit different than usual. He had a self-mocking edge. He looked around to see if there were any microphones or staff nearby, then whispered to me. Actually, Today is the predetermined winner. Ah. So thats what he meant. Did you just find out now? I remained unfazed, but Mazs vocalist grumbled, seemingly unable to sense my indifference. Ugh I was so shocked when I heard that yesterday. Then what does all our hard work amount to? We cursed so much yesterday. Yep. Well, the programs ratings are so good anyway. Even if we dont rank first, theres still something to gain. True enough. Mazs vocalist quickly adapted to reality. We should just take what we can get. Anyone wouldve done the same. Why are you giving up already? Huh? Thats when Today burst in energetically, even before the vocalist could ask me what I meant. Hello~! Hello! They were even greeting the staff, something they didnt usually do. Its a great day! So they say. Ahahaha! Innocent brain, huh. Its understandable since theyre having a smooth ride until the finalpetition. Watching their pompous shoulders soar high, I locked eyes with Yu Hyeok. He grinned and approached me. Oh my, isnt this our pitiful hoobae? Yes, sunbae. I responded nonchntly. Im in such a great mood. Ive been waiting so long to see you guys fail miserably today. Hey, hey. Stop bothering the kid. Theyll cry if you poke them now. Soon, all of Todays members had gathered. Their cattyughter and taunts were quite tiresome. So, is being pathetic your concept today? I bet you didnt even prepare your stage outfits. Leave them alone. What would their agency know? Once again, it was The Dawn vs. Today. I wondered if the camera was filming this. Even if it doesnt make the broadcast, Id like to keep this scene for myself. The one with the big mouth cant even say a word today. Hmm Ding! [Didnt you hear me call you sunbae? Are your ears blocked?] As if the system window was annoyed on my behalf, I nced at it, and Yu Hyeok became even more excited. Finally lost your nerve? Did getting egged and ranking fifth knock some sense into you? Shouldnt you have joined a big agency if youre bitter? Woof woof woof woof woof I quietly tranted his barking in my head. The Dawn members frowned at the situation. Seong Jiwon strode over and stood between Yu Hyeok and me. Whats going on? Ah, our savior has arrived. Yu Hyeok sneered. Jiwon, Im really curious. How do you feel? You pretended to be so clean but screwed up big time. I told you this would happen. Why didnt you listen to me? Jiwon didnt react to his words, but his gentle face turned icy. Unfazed, Yu Hyeok continued to taunt him. Instead, an angry Kim Seonghyeon pulled Jiwon away. Dont listen to that nonsense. Wow, you two are close. But Jiwon, can you trust him? Isnt he the one who hit you when he got mad? Jiwons expression changed. Watch your mouth. Jiwon, you used to talk so much trash about us, but whats different about him? Is a school bully okay with you? I just cant follow your tiny brain. Yu Hyeok. Huh? Go ahead, say it. Yu Hyeok poked Jiwons forehead with his finger. Jiwons face visibly hardened. But, seriously This jerk? Why is he bothering someone elses member? A sudden wave of anger surged in my calm heart. Hey. I quickly pulled Seonghyeon and Jiwon away from him. While they stumbled back in surprise, I swiftly pushed them back. Uh, uh? Stay put. I deliberately blocked their path and looked at Yu Hyeok. I asked him quietly. Sunbae, are you a gangster? What? Why are you messing with someone just minding their own business? Yu Hyeok was visibly flustered. My voice echoed throughout the quiet set. The staff and members of other groups all turned their attention to us. Fuck, what kind of tone is that to use with your senior? Did you just swear at me? My tone has always been like this. And youre the one who just swore, sunbae. Wow, seriously Arent you afraid of anything? I am, but not of you, sunbae. The guy next to Yu Hyeok clenched his fist. I tried to maintain a calm demeanor as I looked at them. In truth, I was a bit irritated. A nobody like him dared to bother someone as important as me. I can tolerate other people messing with me, but not you guys. Im the perfect tsundere. I crossed my arms and let out a deep sigh on purpose. Sunbae, Ive been thinking about it. Why do people like you always bother those just minding their business? But I came to a conclusion. I snapped my fingers. Its because youre ugly. What? You must be jealous of our good looks. Yu Hyeok was dumbfounded, with his mouth hanging open. Then, he turned red with anger and charged at me. Hey, whats your deal? Whats yours? It seemed like I had hit a nerve. Yu Hyeok was momentarily at a loss for words, his eyes rolling back in his head. I really dont know what you believe in to act up like this. Acting up? You guys will never be number one, no matter how hard you try. Oh my, how scary. I yawned. Furious, Yu Hyeok grabbed me by the cor. Im going to make sure you fail. You wont be able to set foot in the entertainment industry ever again. Ive had enough of you guys. I chuckled, fluttering my ears. Its always the same threats wherever I go. You little Do you think this is a joke? No, it doesnt seem like a joke. I had heard the same threats back when I was a PD and even in my current situation. These threats had be so clichd that they were boring. Yet, I always had a response. Do you know? Ive heard that kind of talk at least ten times But Im still here, alive and well. You! But what about you? I pointed at him with my finger. Will you be okay? Then, Yu Hyeok furrowed his brow, not understanding what I meant. Suddenly, Todays manager burst in, gasping for breath, his face pale. Hey! Ah shot, whats going on? Hey, Yu Hyeok! You guys! Yu Hyeok turned around. He had been enjoying teasing me and now seemed to be in high spirits. Hyung,e inter. I need to teach these guys a lesson today. Forget about your damn teaching! Dude! You guys are in big trouble! Ah, what is it? I made sure to etch every detail of this moment in my memorythe rough spit flying out of Yu Hyeoks mouth, Todays members furrowing their brows, and the fear in our members eyes. I will never forget this delightful moment, no matter how much time passed. This was the climax of the story. Then, a scream erupted from the staff members. Hearing the noise, Yu Hyeok whipped his head around, and his face turned pale as he heard the following words. Today, involved in drug use? !! Standing next to the staff, Kang Ichae nced over and let out a snicker. He then deliberately looked at the staff members phone, making it seem like hed noticed it by chance, and spoke loudly. All the members of the idol group Today have reportedly been purchasing and using drugs through an acquaintance since 20XX. !! Ah~ What? Theyre done for~ Feigning pity, I ced my hand on my forehead and lowered my gaze, but Kang Ichaes voice didnt waver. In addition, a video from a club in Seoul that the investigative team obtained shows Todays member Yu Hyeok brutally assaulting a customer! My goodness! Farewell~ How did that? Oh dear, what to do. You wont go far~ I hummed and looked at Yu Hyeok, who was pale as a ghost. His hands were trembling with panic. Watching the panicked Today members reminded me of the hard times that had passed. I exchanged nces with the Maz vocalist, who seemed to notice that I was tooposed amidst the chaos. Dont tell me? Yeah, thats right. I smiled mischievously and squinted my eyes, not saying anything out loud. Of course, I knew everything. Did I just know? I nned everything from the beginning. The long and winding road that led to the Shining Star case started like this: First, the information that Joo Woosung told me. The first ce is already decided. Really? Second, getting a hint through the Maz vocalist. Today those guys are known for ying dirty. Oh, is that so? Third, squeezing Kim Jaeyeon for information. I found it! I found it, the Todays drug picture! Haha, really? I had been waiting for this moment for quite a while. So, whats the conclusion? If the first ce has already been decided We just need to take care of the predetermined winner. Garbage belongs in the trash can! I looked at Today, then turned to Kim Seonghyeon, who seemed shocked by how trashy Today was. Drugs? Assault? Yu Hyeok shivered as he paled even more. Everyone around him quickly searched the inte, and articles about Today filled the screen. Hyung, this has to be a mistake, right? The agency can still cover this up, right? I dont know. Im trying my best, but its spread too much. Where did thise from? Who the fuck spread this?! Thanks to the great paparazzi Kim Jaeyeon. Seeing Yu Hyeoks mental breakdown was satisfying, like chugging a cold beverage. He red at me when our eyes met, and I smiled sweetly. What should we do, sunbae? Can we even step foot in this industry anymore? Fuck! At that moment, Yu Hyeoks eyespletely flipped. He seemed to have a hunch. He suddenly started shaking and raised his hand to hit me, grabbing my cor and shaking me violently. You knew, didnt you? Thats why you were so confident, right? What are you talking about, sunbae? You you, Seo Hoyun! You cant be Yu Hyeok trembled. Was it you? Uhm? Yes! Although I wanted to answer with a wide smile, I just tilted my head innocently. I brushed off Yu Hyeoks shaking hands from my cor and dusted off my clothes. I dont know sunbae. Im just a fragile person who cries when touched. How could I do something like that? You you! Ouch, that hurts. I pretended to be in pain and smiled, infuriating Yu Hyeok even more. Seo Hoyun, you son of a bitch! With all the eyes on us, he raised his fist to hit my face. I frowned, wondering if I should just take the hit. Well, whatever. It wouldnt be bad to create one more headline. I could take a hit but at that moment Hyung! Jeong Dajun pushed me away, grabbed Yu Hyeoks arm, and knocked him down. Ah! Aargh! He was literally knocked down. The bustling set suddenly became silent. Even I, who was grinning moments ago, couldnt help but be in awe. It was neither Kim Seonghyeon, Kang Ichae, or Seong Jiwon. It was the youngest, Jeong Dajun. We, we. Jeong Dajun clenched his fists and stuttered. And finally, with flushed cheeks and teary eyes, he screamed. Dont mess with my hyungs!! At that moment, we all must have thought the same thing. Not scary at all a puppy? How cute. a pooch. The once docile pooch now had its tail raised, growling fiercely. Anyway, I tilted my head and looked down at Yu Hyeok, who was knocked out on the ground. Haha. It was the beginning of the hardships for the drug idol. [1] is an abbreviation for , which means a sincere rmendation. It is often used sarcastically online as insincere. [2] The original text contained the term ezr, which is a rough English equivalent of the Korean ng term (i-ji-ral or ee-zee-r). It can be tranted to mean bullshit my ass in English. [3] is a y on wordsbining one and Today. It means that someone is the only one who is picked on or favored by Today. [4] Its a Korean emoticon that represents aughing face.
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! Chapter 49 Chapter 49 Gangster rat. Aaah! Angry rice cake, can you say it one more time? If you guys even dare to touch a single hair on my hyungs!'' I never said that! Kim Seonghyeon and Kang Ichae teased Jeong Dajun relentlessly. I patted Dajuns head for a while before pretending to scold them, finally settling the situation. Ah, seriously, I hope they arent going to sue for assault, right? I just couldnt stand it. It was self-defense. And theres no way those guys have any time to worry about that now. But how did you be so good at judo throws? I did judo as a hobby in middle school Ah, I regret it now. After the Today members fled the scene with pale faces, as if they had lost their minds, the set was quickly cleared up. It was because it was decided that rehearsals couldnt continue any longer. The manager rushed over, heard the situation, and insisted we should go to the hospital, but the one who might actually need to go was probably Yu Hyeok. Do you think the camera caught that? Ah, Im curious too. If it exists, Ill watch it whenever I feel down. I talked with Jiwon about trivial things. Will the live broadcast schedule be dyed? Well, I dont know. The entire program might be ruined. Still, the audience ising, and we cant cancel because of this. Well probably go on stage anyway. We looked at each other nkly. Jiwon had a strange face. Why? I dont know. It just feels like we made it happen, like you said. So its over like this. Jiwons expression looked somewhat bitter. He probably didnt expect the things that had been tormenting him to crumble so easily, so he seemed to be feeling mixed emotions. Jiwon lowered his long eyshes and took a deep breath before nodding. Thanks, Hoyun. I took his thanks lightly. I wanted to pass over it as if it was nothing. I hoped this incident wouldnt linger as a debt or burden for Jiwon. Its just that, for some reason, it didnt leave a clean aftertaste. Should we practice? Yeah. Jiwon deliberately smiled brightly. Before leaving, I looked around. PD Kim Heeyeon I wanted to ask PD Kim Heeyeon about the programs direction, but I decided to put it on hold. Shes probably busy dealing with Todays side of things. I shouldnt bother busy people, and we should handle our situation on our own. I got in the van and checked the inte reactions. Hundreds of posts were pouring out on social media in real time. [Goosebumps I always said Today was strong, but the drug incident Its really over with the pictures spreading] [Management!!! I told you! Look at their faces!!!!!!!!!!] [Really fucking embarrassing] [What about the assault?? Is there a video posted? Search on YouTube (link) Dont click on the link above, its just disgusting Just give us the link for Todays video] I checked the real-time search trends. [Today] [Today Yu Hyeok] [Yu Hyeok] [Shining Star] [On suspicion of drug use, all of Todays members were sent to the prosecutors office (breaking news)] They were sent to the prosecutors office. From this point on, it wouldnt matter if Shining Star decided to part ways with them. Next, I searched for The Dawn. There were fewer postspared to the explosive ones about Today, but some were still popping up. [Title: The Dawns reevaluation is urgent Picture of Kim Seonghyeon frowning at Todays stage Picture of Seonghyeon saying Do I have to say it? after seeing Todays stage Picture of Yu Hyeok being tantly ignored by Seo Hoyun What kind of devils editing They say it was actually angels editing, Kim Seonghyeon always frowning and not greeting Today, there was a reason Right Kim Seonghyeon, a big nose? How did he know? Fans didnt even know Theres a drug-detection dog story Its still a sunbae, though I think this is a bit harsh Better than building a rtionship with drug users Drug user idol and senior, bullshit my ass Are you a Today fan crying?] [Title: If Shining Star continues, will The Dawn be in first ce? Really curious If all the Today fans withdraw, it might be possible School bullying idol vs. drug idol Fuck Battle of the century First, the biggest concern is whether the program will continue right? Would they stop just because one group dropped out? The program is popr right now] The onlinemunitys reactions were furious. [Im so fucking pissed watching those ignorant people saying we need reevaluation But still Is it a relief, at least?] [At least its a relief that Seonghyeons unfair treatment was revealed ] I also checked the Shining Star YouTube channel, where Kim Seonghyeon and The Dawns videos were uploaded. The most poprments hadnt changed yet. In thetestments, there was one that caught my eye. [Kim Seonghyeon, a school bully, stop making things up~] [I feel sick and want to vomit watching The Dawn fans taking advantage of this situation] There were quite a few likes. Hmm. This is a bit of a problem I scrolled through thements while resting my chin on my hand and remembered my phone call with Kim Jaeyeon. You found the school bullying victim, but they went to study abroad? Yeah? They went to Austria. I found the phone number, but its a bit difficult. They dont seem to use social media, and their email ount has changed. I thought I could quickly resolve the school bullying issue, but things got twisted. It would have been better to resolve it before exploding the Today controversy. So everyone was still nervous while smiling at Kim Seonghyeon. Kim Seonghyeon cried when he saw the Post-itst time. Thats a problem. What should I do about this? As I was lost in thought, organizing my thoughts, the system window rang after a long time. [A special service for you!] It made me uneasy. It felt surreal. [Check the item shop!] Item shop. It was a shame that the shop was still empty, but there was a new tab in the item shop called [Special Service Item]. I clicked on it. [Lucky Fortune Dice: Roll the dice, and the phone number you want will appear! Usage count: 1. Note: The item will disappear immediately after use.] Wow The system window actually helped for once? But how much is this? [Points: 2,000 Owned Points: 1,000] I reopened the quest window, which was flickering as if asking to be found. [Idols Aegyo is Essential! Aegyo is essential for idols. Practice aegyo to increase your proficiency. Current Aegyo Proficiency: 0%. Reach 30% for a reward of 1,000 points.] The system window wasnt trying to help; it was mocking me! My body shuddered. I looked at the intement section again, then the quest window, and finally at Kim Seonghyeon. Whats up? Kim Seonghyeon asked, puzzled. At the same time, an image of Kim Seonghyeon wearing a hat and looking down at the electronic billboard passed by. Ha. I clenched my teeth. *** Huh? Hoyun, are you going to practice more? Yeah. You guys go ahead. Hyung, arent you pushing yourself too hard? Jeong Dajun asked in surprise. I waved my hand casually. Im just going to do a bit more. You guys go ahead and rest. Alright text me if anything happens. With Kim Seonghyeon as thest one, the rest of The Dawn members left the practice room. Theyre all gone, right? Just in case, I checked the practice room several times, going in and out. 2 AM Yes, its the perfect time to be out of my mind. I searched for aegyo on YouTube. [Ppuing Ppuing~!] [Im so cute, Im adorable!] I watched the videos, took a deep breath, and looked in the mirror. Yeah, aegyo. Aegyo is good. Its essential for idols, and I have to do it if a fan asks. I cant make a sour face then. If fans ask, I must obey. I looked in the mirror and raised a fist next to my face. Ppuing Ppuing. Shit! [Aegyo Proficiency has increased by 1%. Current Aegyo Proficiency is 1%.] I unwittingly punched the mirror. No, I can do it. I can do it. I have the ability. I chanted the spell of victory several times and repeated the aegyo casting. Kkungkkotto Gisungkkung Ah, shit. Now the curse word slipped out. The skill level had almost increased. I was rolling on the practice room floor by myself. I had no thoughts when I watched others do it, but when I tried it myself, I felt like I was going crazy. How does everyone do this? Is it innate? Do I have to be born this way? I took a deep breath. Its no big deal. Everyone else does it too, so what would change if I did it too? I brainwashed myself several times, jumped up, and practiced again. Save it in my heart! Save! [Aegyo skill level has increased by 1%. Current aegyo skill level is 2%.] I felt a bit morefortable after letting go of my conscience. After searching the inte for a while, I thought I could make it work. Why is it disgusting when I do it but okay when others do it? I urgently needed to reassess Yu Hyeok, who was acting cute in front of the camera. Seo Hoyun, get a grip. Thinking that the disgusting me in the mirror was another self was a bit morefortable. I can do this. This is nothing. [Current aegyo skill level is 28%.] I started to approach 30% after trying all sorts of nonsense. You. Are. So. Love. Heart. Fluttering. Heart. Fluttering. Heart. Fluttering. [1] Now it seemed like aegyo woulde out with a simple tap. I am an aegyo machine. Just a little more, and Ill reach 30%! Im. So. Pretty! Im. So. Pretty! Im. So. Pretty![2] [Current aegyo skill level is 29%!] I was so immersed in practice when I felt something was off. Chills ran down my spine I turned around with a startled expression, and there he was. Um It was Kang Ichae. Kang Ichae stood still in front of the practice room door. As our eyes met, the usually shameless Kang Ichae smiled awkwardly for the first time. Um, I couldnt reach you on the phone I came to tell you some news about Shining Star. Today dropped out, but Shining Star will still continue. The live broadcast will also proceed as nned. Yeah Thats good news. Yeah. PD Kim Heeyeon was looking for you. Oh. Ill call her. Even though our conversation was over, Kang Ichae stood there, scratching his head and ncing at me. Usually, he was alwaysughing, so it would have been less embarrassing if he had justughed and teased me, but his gaze seemed to pity me for some reason. Um Hyung, um. Cheer up. With that, Kang Ichae quickly left. My soul was stripped away, and I copsed on the floor. Life *** [Current aegyo skill level is 30%! Questplete! Aegyo is essential for idols! I almost broke the wall because I was so embarrassed! 1,000 points will be given.] I barelybarelymanaged to fill up 30% aegyo skill level and checked the Lucky Fortune Dice at the item shop. I almost shed tears, but I held them back. I wouldnt do this shit again. I wont do it, no matter what happens. Seonghyeon Hyung is doing this much for you. [I will purchase the Lucky Dice. 2,000 points will be consumed.] I muttered to myself as I purchased the dice. A bright light poured out, and a nine-sided dice rolled into my tightly clenched hand. Do I have to roll it eleven times? [Austrian phone numbers have ten digits!] Okay. Thanks, you little With a heavy heart, I rolled the dice. I wrote down the numbers that appeared in session, 6 and 6. How many times was it now? Without having time to think, I rolled the dice onest time, and it disappeared. I wrote down thest number, jumped up, and took out my phone. Wait, its an international number As I entered the Austrian international dialing code, a long ringtone followed. Pick up, pick up. Im doing this, so please pick it up. I heard a soft clicking sound from not far away. Hello? Hello, Hello, Hwang speaking. Mr. Hwang Junggyu. I sighed. I could feel the person on the other end taking a breath. Hello, this is Seo Hoyun, a friend of Seonghyeons. Can you spare a moment of your time? I dont care if you dont. Fuck. [1] Shim. Ka. Kae. is a Korean expression that is short for , which means heart-fluttering or making my heart race. It is often used when someone is so cute or charming that it makes the speakers heart flutter. [2] Mi. A. Nae. is a Korean expression that is short for , which means Im sorry. It is often used cutely or yfully to apologize for something minor or to ask for a favor.
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! Chapter 50 Chapter 50 Seo Hoyun. I arrived at the PDs editing room, where I asionally visited. Kim Heeyeon looked surprisingly well today. No, she was actually more radiant than ever. I approached her as she waved with a wide smile. PD, you were looking for me. Yes, yes. Sit down here. Im sorry! I know youre busy with practice, but I had to call you to this shabby, dusty, and crappy ce. No, its fine. PD, do you want to drink this? I offered her the Americano I had bought in advance. Kim Heeyeon looked at it with a slightly perplexed expression. She hated in Americanos the most. I quickly added. Its a triple-shot. Now, Im starting to get scared. Are you a shaman? Ha ha ha. Americano with triple-shot was Kim Heeyeons favorite. Thank you. Ill drink it well. She reached for it, and I started sipping my caramel frappino. Kim Heeyeon looked at me strangely. Why? By your looks, I thought youd drink espresso. I like sweet things. I see As we sat down, I saw Kim Heeyeon busily editing the final episodes VCR footage. Even though she could have left this task to one of her assistants, her personality shone through here. Ah, seriously. Im dying right now editing this and taking out Today. But the program is still continuing. Yes, well, Todays agency has no time to care about us now. And because Shining Star is doing so well, their agency cant even beg us to stop, even if they want to give us a wad of cash. Our station director will justugh at them. Kim Heeyeon shook her head with a bitter smile. I had seen the tvK station director a few times too. To put it nicely, he was a practical man; to put it badly, he was a money-grubber. Well, it worked out. I didnt know taking such revenge would be so refreshing. I heard there was a paparazzi involved. Yes I did it but didnt feel like correcting her, so I just stayed silent. Kim Heeyeon didnt need to know anyway. Kim Heeyeon stared at the screen with an indifferent expression, clicking her mouse. Well, lets cut the small talk. The main point is I have a question. Yes, what is it? She asked me without looking away from the screen or skipping a beat. Did you do it? Wow. What do you mean? Stop pretending you dont know. Did you, Hoyun, stab Today? I stared at Kim Heeyeon. Her expression was calm, but she seemed a bit tense. Is she recording this? It was possible. If this conversation were to be leaked, I wouldnt be able to escape easily. I blinked once. Yes. I answered simply. Without searching for a recording device or ignoring her question. I did it. Because it was Kim Heeyeon. It wasnt because I trusted the favor Kim Heeyeon had towards me. It was just that she was that kind of person. Someone very different from me, who couldnt tolerate injustice. Although she thought she had worn herself out by being swept up in storms, she remained the same in my eyes. It was alright with Kim Heeyeon like that. Ha, Haha. Kim Heeyeon let out augh of disbelief. Finally, she took her eyes off the screen, sighed, and wiped her hands as if washing them. I sipped my frappino while waiting for her thoughts to be organized. The sweet taste filled my mouth. PD how did you know? I asked, thinking she might have deduced it somehow, but I wanted to ensure I hadnt missed anything. Kim Heeyeon searched for a cigarette in response. From the start, you seemed too rxed. I thought maybe you were a rich kid with something to rely on. I wish I were. Haha Seriously. If we had to be specific, I was from a dirt-dirt-dirt-dirt-dirt-poor background. It was weird when you said there was no need to be sorry even though I told you there was already a predetermined winner. And the most decisive thing, of course, was that request. The Devils Editing. I asked Kim Heeyeon for Kim Seonghyeons Devils Editing, especially when Today appeared. At first, I thought maintaining the confrontation would at least let me benefit from the mess. And to clear the false usation about the PD Pick. I owed you a favor, so I went along with it. But now that were in this situation, it suddenly feels like the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly. Hearing this, it was clear to Kim Heeyeon. She had no choice but to notice. If Todays reputation declines, its certain that you guys, who were keeping those kinds of people in check, would be re-evaluated. With the maniption controversy and public sympathybined, you guys can easily take first ce. Thats right. That really was my intention. How did youe up with that idea? Cant other people have such thoughts? Its not that they dont have thoughts, but they cant do it because they have a conscience. So what about you? I dont have a conscience. Originally, I would have proceeded without even getting Kim Seonghyeons permission. But I tried to be a little whimsical. I slurped my caramel frappino with a brazen face as Kim Heeyeon let out a frustrated sigh. Hoyun, let me be honest. Yes. Its a devilish talent. Thank you. Shouldnt you have gone into politics instead of bing an idol? Ive had many concerns about that. Kim Heeyeon fumbled with her cigarette pack. She scratched her head but closed her mouth tightly and clicked her mouse again. To be really honest, I hope you guys take first ce. But even with your poprity, theres still one issue unresolved. What? Kim Seonghyeons school violence. What are you going to do about it? Kim Heeyeon looked away and met my eyes. I feel really sorry for you guys. I consider it a debt. But in thisst episode, theres not much more I can do for you through editing. You need to get at least 5,000 points to take first ce. Live voting will be the most important. But with the public opinion on school violence, you cant get such an overwhelming score. You must be really sorry. Youre even worried about that. You really are Iughed softly, and then a text message notification rang on my phone. It was Seong Jiwon. [Hoyun! Hoyun, where are you?] I checked the message and smirked. PD, its okay. Huh? Look. I showed the message to a frowning Kim Heeyeon. Seong Jiwons message was on the screen. [A victims testimony about school bullying just came out!] As if to prove the pretty saying in fairy tales that if one lives kindly, they will eventually be rewarded. *** [Title: Hello, I am the victim of Kim Seonghyeons school bullying controversy. Hello, I am the victim of the school bullying controversy involving The Dawns Kim Seonghyeon. To get straight to the point, everything in that post was a lie. Seonghyeon was my friend and someone Ive been forever grateful to] The post, which began with a clear conclusion, told the story of what had happened so far. The sudden bullying was extremely painful, and even when he told the teacher, they didnt help. The post continued, exining how Kim Seonghyeon supported and helped him throughout the year. [. I did something irreversible. While I was being assaulted, Seonghyeon called the police and rushed to help me. But when the police arrived, the bullies told me to identify Seonghyeon as the perpetrator. If not, they would torment me throughout my school life or even until I die. I was so afraid of them back then. They seemed so huge that I lied and said Seonghyeon was the perpetrator. Ive attached a recording from the incident as well] In the noisy recording, one could hear Kim Seonghyeon rushing to help. [ After that incident, Seonghyeon dropped out of school, and I fled abroad to study. After several years, I was still in pain and cut off all contact with Korea. Thats why I found out about this incident muchter. I didnt know that Seonghyeon had be an idol or that the bullies were still tormenting him. Once again, I want to say that Seonghyeon is not that kind of person. Seonghyeon is my benefactor who helped me. (omitted in the middle) I want to apologize to Seonghyeon face-to-face, so Im hastily returning to Korea. I may be unreachable for a few hours, but I wanted to convey this message urgently. Seonghyeon, I want to use this opportunity to say Im always sorry and thankful to you. I was too cowardly. You must have been scared too, but you stood up for me. Thank you. And Im truly sorry.] Despite being just connected sentences, there was a trembling sincerity in them. The truth revealed by the victim, who had been honest despite their fear, ended with one more sentence. [In fact, back then, you were my hero.] The post on themunity website quickly spread. While there was no news about the case being sent to the prosecutors office, this post had be like a lightning rod, igniting the publics rage. [Title: The Dawns Kim Seonghyeon is not a bully (link)
  1. The person who posted about Kim Seonghyeons bullying controversy is the actual bully
  2. Kim Seonghyeon actually helped the victim
  3. Because of the false testimony, Kim Seonghyeon had to drop out.
Summary: Kim Seonghyeon is not a bully; he was actually a victim. Isnt that just a lie? Watch the video ande back] [Title: Kim Seonghyeon is a light. Did you listen to the recording? Wow.. How did Kim Seonghyeon bear this If it were me, I would have shot back right after the bullying controversy came out. The bullies really have no conscience. Not even at Satans level; thats a bit much. Kim Seonghyeon must have collected evidence back then too.] [Ah!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seonghyeon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] [The video is real. My heart aches, and I cant watch it till the end. Im crying so much, and my head hurts so bad] [Seonghyeon is suffering so much Our Seonghyeon ] [Seonghyeon Im really sorry, Im truly sorry, I should have protected you more, how hard it must have been for you] [Why the hell arent those Daepaseong bastards doing anything? Hurry up and release a statement and sue them!!!!] [Sue all the maliciousments, fuck!!!] Not long after these cries, entertainment reporters who caught wind of the huge issue started to upload articles recklessly. [The Dawn Seonghyeons School Bullying Controversy: He Was Actually the Victim] [Kim Seonghyeons School Bullying Victim Says Seonghyeon is a Hero] [The Truth Revealed! Excessive Cyberbullying Towards the Hero] All sorts of provocative keywords were attached to the reports. As if they couldnt stand idly by any longer, precisely two hourster, Daepaseong Entertainment finally posted Kim Seonghyeons statement. [Hello, this is The Dawns Kim Seonghyeon.] The statement started calmly and remainedposed till the end. [First of all, I apologize for causing turmoil with unpleasant news for several weeks. I was careful about making any hasty remarks regarding the incident, which is why it has taken me so long to speak up. Two weeks ago, rumors started circting that I, The Dawns Kim Seonghyeon, hadmitted school violence. Let me rify: the stories spreading online about me being a school bully are not true. I did not use violence against anyone, nor have I usednguage equivalent to violence. Its true that I dropped out of high school, but it was not because of a rmendation resulting from school bullying. It was my own decision to start my life as a singer. Please stop spreading false information. I will take legal action without leniency against those who spread false information and post maliciousments that cross the line. Furthermore, I ask that you refrain from crossing boundaries by making reckless assumptions about victims of school bullying. Lastly, to those who are experiencing school bullying, I would like to cautiously say this: Its not your fault in any way. Even though it might be overstepping, Im sharing this because of my painful mistakes. I thought I was alone back then and spent many long nights alone. However, in reality, people are always willing to help around you. I hope you will hold onto their helping hands tightly. I will return with a better image in the future. From Kim Seonghyeon] Seo Hoyun tried to subtly advise him, but Kim Seonghyeon refused. The official statement released by the agency was written entirely by Kim Seonghyeon himself. The honest statement from Kim Seonghyeon quickly spread across the inte. [Title: Where is Kim Seonghyeon? All I can see is the light God Seonghyeon He is the lightonly light] [Title: If you dare to diss God Seonghyeon, I will shoot you! Ceasefire!!! Hes one of us!!! God Seonghyeon God Seonghyeon.] [Hes an upright young man, not like the kids these days, to the point of being foolish. Politicians should be like this. Suddenly, whats with the politics; old man, go home and wipe your feet before going to bed] [Guys, now I can die peacefully stuck in Kim Seonghyeons dimple! Fighting! Fighting![1] fuckSeonghyeon, I love you to death.] It was soaring. At the same time, Kim Seonghyeons secondpetition video and The Dawns guerri video started trending again. Thements were full of praise for Kim Seonghyeon. [Kim Seonghyeon is really fucking cool, hes persevering through it (Like 10339)] [This was when Kim Seonghyeon got the most hate. School bullying controversy, (huge mess) because of negative votes, he got on Today, so Today fans retaliation was no joke. They boycotted thepetition, showing no reaction. But everyone was shocked during thepetition. Kim Seonghyeon was doing so well. (Like 3953)] [Seong Jiwons words seem to have predicted this whole situation I would be anxious if I were you too. To you, I am just a stranger. But please remember this one thing. No matter how many times it takes, even if it takes hundreds of times, I will fix everything. In the end, Kim Seonghyeon fixed everything Goosebumps How far did The Dawn foresee? (Likes 532)] [Seo Hoyuns line too Im not worried. I know you. So Shall we start again, together? Because he trusts the members and the fans, he can move forward without anxiety It feels like hes saying that, and I love it so much Im tearing up. Tears] It was a series of breadcrumbs. And so, the breadcrumbs that Seo Hoyun struggled to throw all came together and flowed into a single narrative. [Its a live broadcast tomorrow. If youre human, vote for The Dawn.] *** Eh, where is Seonghyeon-hyung? Im here. Huh? I cant see you. Kang Ichae smirked. Jeong Dajun muttered seriously next to him. Ah, theres only light. Just the light Hyung! Are you there? Can you answer if youre there? Flowing through them all at once Hahaha! Kang Ichaeughed and wandered around. Kim Seonghyeon felt awkward, so he did it on purpose. Seeing that, Seong Jiwon chuckled while practicing with his neck bent. Guys, stop teasing Seonghyeon. Jiwon, tell these guys to stop. Kim Seonghyeon looked at Seong Jiwon with a choked-up expression, but Jiwon just smiled calmly. Heroes shouldnt be teased. Hey! Roar~! Kim Seonghyeon struggled and pulled his hair. I clicked my tongue and shifted my gaze to my phone. Still, Kim Seonghyeons face looked much better, so I felt relieved. Kim Seonghyeon, youre my hero~! God Seonghyeon! God Seonghyeon! Between practicing, dealing with Todays disaster, and resolving Kim Seonghyeons school bullying rumor, its like I needed three bodies. As I stretched and cracked my neck, Kim Seonghyeon approached me stealthily. Hey, Seo Hoyun. Huh? Do you have timeter? Ah. Kim Seonghyeon looked at me hesitantly. He must be thinking about the call I made to Hwang Jeonggyu. Youre so different from the first day. I thought of Kim Seonghyeons face when he used to dislike me and smiled. No, I dont. ! Im kidding, I do. Kim Seonghyeon nodded vigorously. Actually, hes the most obedient among the members. As I turned my head and traced the stages path in my mind, the staff suddenly opened the door. The Dawn, youre going on the live stage in five minutes! Get ready, please! Yes! We hurriedly got up and headed toward the stage. In the meantime, I nced at Seong Jiwon, wondering if he was still trembling. Theres no more point in giving him a calming pill. Theres no more aegyo to put on. As I thought about it quietly, Seong Jiwon and I locked eyes. Jiwon quickly replied. Im fine. Im not nervous. Youre quick-witted. I just looked at him once. At first, it wasnt this much, but the members intuition suddenly became incredibly sharp for some reason. Weve practiced dozens of times, and both the dry and camera rehearsals went well. You did well. Well do even better on the live stage. Are you really Seong Jiwon? Of course. Seong Jiwon, still embarrassed, nced at Kim Seonghyeon and smiled slyly. I think itll be okay now. As Seong Jiwon moved away, I muttered softly. System window. [Yes!] Cant you check things like Seong Jiwons mental stats? [The system window isnt omnipotent.] Alright, I know youre ipetent. As I teased it, the system window filled with windows as if to argue back, but I ignored them all. As we went backstage, the eyes of the staff and members of other groups were fixed on us. We greeted everyone without missing anyone and finished ourst in-ear check. Lets go up. [1] The actual text actually said . Its a Korean ng that stands for , which trantes to hard work or effort.
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! Chapter 51 Chapter 51 Woaaaaah! The Dawn! The Dawn! Seonghyeon!! Seo Hoyun-!! Thunderous cheers erupted from outside. It seemed like a VCR was ying before The Dawns performance. Seong Jiwons voice could be heard from the interview. [The Dawn was actually on the verge of disbanding. Our record sales werent good. We all thought we had no choice, that we should be grateful for what we achieved.] Next was Jeong Dajun. [I just trusted my hyungs and followed them! Is this what you call self-sacrifice? Ah, self-made? Well, anyway. Ichae-hyungposed the song, Seonghyeon-hyung created the choreography, Jiwon-hyung took charge of the vocals, and Hoyun-hyung led us!] [Huh? Dajun said he just trusted us and followed? Haha, that kid. How did I feel? I just did it because it was fun. I enjoyed life with the members and the fans loved it.] After Kang Ichae, Kim Seonghyeons interview yed. After much consideration and silence, Kim Seonghyeon gave a subtle smile. [I feel like I owe a debt of gratitude to those who believed in me, one that I can never repay no matter what I do.] The editing was well-done. Woaaaaah! Were moving! A staff member yelled at the top of their lungs. We nodded and stood in front of the wall that blocked the stage. When the VCR ended, the wall would split open and reveal the stage. The Dawn! The cheering grew louder, drowning out the sound of the VCR. The members standing next to me seemed a little tense, but their faces were flushed with excitement. Thest VCR was of me. [Seo Hoyun, tell us how you feel about thest performance.] It was Kim Heeyeons voice. Myughter echoed. [Of course] My voice resonated in the hall. [I have to do well.] Kim Seonghyeon looked back at me. He smirked. Lets do well. It was exactly like when Seong Jiwon had said that to me, and I couldnt help but smile. Of course. We prepared so much. The stage opened. As we walked forward from the dark backstage, dazzling lights poured into our eyes. An unbelievable sight unfolded before us as we adjusted to the blinding lights. Woaaaaah! Countless fans filled the audience seats, waving The Dawns slogans. Seo Hoyun! Seo Hoyun! The cheers erupted. Fans were ecstatic just seeing my face. The effect of a 6% viewer rating was tremendous. Even I started to feel overwhelmed. At the same time, the intro ended, and the beat of the songposed by Kang Ichae began. The song was called Kismet. It meant a destiny beyond human control. To be born as a star, there must be intense friction from the beginning. Wepared The Dawn to a star and applied our struggles up until now as a process to be born. What does that mean? Our hardships were inevitable. In the end, it was our destiny to be stars. [No, sir, there is nothing here.] The sound of an astronautmunicating over a wireless device, apanied by static, began the song. [Only little clouds of dust.] With a pop, the sound cut off, and the camera zoomed in on us. Lying in five different directions, we looked like stars. Seong Jiwon then raised his upper body and reached out his hand. In this vast universe, I met the miracle that is you. Enchanted, I reach out my hand. But Im too small. The background showed a huge neb expanding behind Seong Jiwon, who had a serene smile. But you told me, That I can be a star. At the same time, everyone jumped up! The songs tempo picked up. Unlike thest sentimental performance, this one had a funky rhythm. Kim Seonghyeon walked forward. Lift my head up, open my eyes amidst the dust. As he was captured on camera, the fans screams grew louder. Kyaaaaaaah! Kim Seonghyeon! Kim Seonghyeon! It was the entrance of Kim Seonghyeon, the greatest beneficiary and hero of this song. It was truly an overwhelming response. Everyone warns me, To be born, I must plunge into the storm. The image of Kim Seonghyeon on therge screen looked cool even to me. All the sweat he had shed was for this stage. Its alright, Ive already decided, I want to meet you. Its okay if I burn. I know things gonna be alright. Kim Seonghyeon waved his hand and bowed his head. Kang Ichae suddenly appeared beside him, smiling mischievously as he rapped. You see, the nebe gather. Dive into the storm, withstand the gravity, These collisions are nothing. After all, this is the path to you, Birth of a star. Seong Jiwon started the chorus, touching his in-ear monitor. I added ad-libs as a double. A brilliant light bursts, Dont miss it. This is it (Well, I told you), The moment a star is born. The reaction was good. At the same time, Jeong Dajun ran to the center, and the other four members spread out to the sides. Dajuuun!! Im rushing to you I want to proudly tell you Because of you, I became a star. The audience seats under the stage vibrated beautifully. Fans were cheering and shaking our slogans. As Jeong Dajun approached and pretended to turn the camera with his hand, the focus shifted to me. The blue light shone brightly on me. At a nce, it was too dazzling, but I thought it was like The future of these pure, foolish guys. Dont panic, you just have to do one thing. This message is for the fans who believed in The Dawn through all the ups and downs. Hold on to me and follow, You showed me the way. A very small reward we can give. I want to show it someday as a bigger reward. The shaking slogans vibrated like waves. My heart pumped wildly as if it would explode soon. Now, Ill be the guiding light for you. A smile crept up on my face. Another unforgettable scene was added to my life. As Seo Hoyun the idol, Ive been umting unfamiliar emotions and experiences. Fireworks burst beautifully as we returned to the main stage. I will dance all night to please you Until the heart of the star grows cold I will sing all day only for you (only for you). Sweat poured down. There was no time to wipe sweat or rest. I brushed my hair back and focused till the end. Its alright, Ive already decided. Everyone was singing together when the camera focused on Seong Jiwon. As Jiwon walked briskly and yfully drew a star with his hand, cheers erupted naturally. Its okay if I burn till the end. The song was sprinting toward the end. The crackling sound ofmunication came again. Wait, there is something going on. We stood tall, looking straight ahead, and stretched our arms out. Our neatly spread palms faced the swaying fans. And the final protagonist was Kim Seonghyeon. Seonghyeon looked straight ahead. Because you told me, Seonghyeon smiled brilliantly. That I can be a star. *** Good job, everyone! Thank you, good job to you too! Honestly, I dont remember much after that. People kept talking to us as we finished the stage and headed to the waiting room. This is going to be the highest rating! The highest rating for the program! Sunbae! You were so cool. Lets do a quick interview after the stage! Itll be uploaded on YouTube! It felt as if we were in a bustling market. Amid all the chaos, it was time for the announcement. As we headed to the stage, bright lights shone on us. With a bright smile, Yu Jia announced the rankings one by one. 4th ce: Refined! The Refined members walked out smiling as if they had expected it. Although they werent bad, they were buried among the strong stages. 3rd ce: Nightmare! Nightmares Lee Hanseong screamed in surprise. Laughter burst out. He caused a scene, but he was so satisfied with the results that he bowed repeatedly. Eventually, he shed tears while giving his eptance speech. I had a feeling that Nightmare would rise higher in the future. Yu Jia smiled brightly. Now, only 1st and 2nd ces are left, right? Maz and The Dawn, who will get the ticket to Shining Star Season 2! I made eye contact with Mazs vocalist. He gave a slightly bitter smile. However, his eyes showed approval. There was the typical long wait for live voting results, for the advertisements and ratings, but everyone on stage knew the oue. And then, Yu Jia slowly picked up the microphone. With 7,220 points this time. It was an overwhelming score. Total 13,420 points! Even at this point, the fans minds were racing, and they were already screaming. I smiled brightly. The Dawn! Kyaaaah! The Dawn takes 1st ce! Pop! Fireworks burst, and paper flowers fluttered down. We expected it, but the members faces were still stered with a few pieces of paper flowers, with a disbelieving, dumb expressions. What fools. But I couldnt guarantee that my appearance differed from the rest of the members. Uh, we. Congrattions! Congrattions! Ding! [Quest sess! You have won 1st ce in Shining Star. Congrattions! All abilities are increased by 50 each. A hidden attribute is acquired. Would you like to check the hidden attribute?] No, I should enjoy this moment now. Kyaaaah! The cheers of the fans continued endlessly. Tears streamed down the faces of the fans waving their slogans wildly under the stage. I wish they wouldnt cry. Yu Jia was caught up in the excitement of the scene and continued enthusiastically. The Dawn will have the chance to participate in Shining Star Season 2! Finally Someone suddenly bumped into me as I looked around to pass thement to Kim Seonghyeon. Hyung! It was Jeong Dajun. Hyung! Were 1st ce! At the same time, Kang Ichae jumped on me. Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon followed suit. It felt like being crushed. 1st ce! We really made it to 1st ce! Hoyuuun!! Even though I didnt say anything, my hair was tousled, and my body was being pushed and pressed in every direction. I managed to fend them off and opened my mouth. I told you it would happen. Hyung, you really know that I believed in you, right?! Ugh fine. Kim Seonghyeon, leader, take the microphone quickly. Ah, umm. Uh-uh. I calmed down the ecstatic Kim Seonghyeon, who was hugging me and bouncing all over the ce, and handed him the microphone I received from Yu Jia. Uh, um I sincerely thank all the fans who voted for us. It was truly, truly unexpected I looked at the hard-working Kim Seonghyeon. The fans were still crying and waving their hands. I couldnt help but smile again. First of all, I want to thank ourpany and our members who worked so hard. Seong Jiwon, Kang Ichae, Jeong Dajun. And Seo Hoyun. Kim Seonghyeon hesitated and emphasized each word with force. Really, Im really grateful. Despite being incoherent, Kim Seonghyeons calm demeanor showed his concern for the fans and his determination not to cry. Just as someone said As a member of The Dawn, I am truly happy to stand here. I will continue to work hard. Thank you! He truly seemed like a hero. *** The final rating for Shining Star was 7%! Wo! What was the highest rating during the show? It was during The Dawns performance! No, it was during the announcement of the first ce! It was 7.6% during the first-ce announcement! Kim Heeyeon never cried. Kim Heeyeon, although she always had been, wasnt interested in titles like star PD or fame. She just felt relieved and thrilled about the changed ending. I know her well, and Im 100% sure shes happier about getting rid of Today than the show doing well. Seo Hoyun! You genius idol! Congrattions on getting first ce! Ah, its all thanks to you, PD. Dont thank me! Thank Seo Hoyuns face! Aww! PD! Youre so annoying! Wahaha! Did you see that, you guys! It serves you right, it serves you right! Kim Heeyeon was a bit drunk andughed loudly. I quietly passed her off to a staff member next to her. I swiftly abandoned Kim Heeyeon and headed towards The Dawns table, only to be caught by another troublemaker. Guys, its my fault! Im the sinner! Why are you all like this? This time it was the manager. Who got the manager drunk? They called for another round. Just run away with the van! Ill never stop you, even if you do it ten times! What do we do about this? Leave him be. Hes drunk. Seong Jiwon drank and muttered. Hopefully, someone will take care of it. I replied to the texts from Joo Woosung, Lim Hyeonsu, and Seo Hojin as the staffs frantic screams reached me. Reward! Reward vacation! Today, well treat ourselves to vodka! Kyaaa! Lets go to the fourth round! Seeing people wanting to go to the second, third, and fourth rounds after breaking 7% in ratings made me sick. Lets slip away while Jeong Dajun is still here. What about the manager? Should we leave him? He seems to be having fun. Yeah, hes worked hard, so he should enjoy himself tonight. Kang Ichae yfully hit Jeong Dajun, who was still drinking soda, and gestured to leave. Jeong Dajun was still underage, so he sipped soda with his eyes half-closed but looked happy nheless. He was always friendly and kind, quickly bing close with others, and through thispetition, he seemed to have be particrly close with Nightmare. Dajun! Lets go! Hyung, you did great too! The Dawn, you all worked so hard! We greeted everyone and stepped outside. The night air was cold and refreshing. Should we take a taxi? Lets do that. As we headed towards the main road to hail a taxi without much thought, I caught Kim Seonghyeons eye. He looked hesitant, reminding me of what I thought earlier. I asked for some time. Ill walk to sober up. The dorm isnt that far from here. Uh, me too. Hyung, lets walk together! As I subtly spoke, Jeong Dajuns eyes lit up. He was half-asleep and grumbling about wanting to go home, but at times like this, he became clingy. How do I get rid of him? I didnt have to worry for long. Quick-witted Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae grabbed the maknaes nape with gentle smiles. Young children should go home and sleep early~. Right, right? Whats going on, hyungs? Lets go, Im tired~. They dragged Jeong Dajun into the taxi. Seong Jiwon poked his head out of the window. See youter! Donte back toote. Yes. Good work today. You too. Really. As Seong Jiwonughed and closed the window, the taxi quickly disappeared. Kim Seonghyeon and I were left on the empty road. Shall we go? Yes. Walking in silence, I felt a bit regretful. We had just finished an amazing performance a few hours ago, so there was a certain emptiness, but Its cold. It was freezing. How much of an honest conversation do we need to have to endure this? Damn, should we have just taken a taxi and returned to our dorm? As the alcohol wore off and we sobered up a bit, the coldness hit us. Kim Seonghyeon rubbed his hands together and looked around, spotting a pojangmacha[1]. Our eyes met. Lets go in. Lets go in quickly. I gestured to Kim Seonghyeon, and we quickly went into the pojangmacha. There werent many people since it was early morning. Most of them were drunk, and the older owner didnt seem to recognize us, so it felt like we couldfortably chat. Do you want some fish cakes? Tteokbokki too. Then Ill also have some sundae. Soju too? Deal. We quickly agreed and sat down to order. Soon, the soju came out first, and I poured it into a ss. I downed the alcohol in one shot and said to Kim Seonghyeon. Good work. Yeah You too. Kim Seonghyeon fidgeted and cautiously called me. Hoyun What? Thats disgusting. You can say whatever you want never mind. I immediately felt goosebumps on my arm. Seeing Kim Seonghyeon like this was not something I could get used to. When Kim Seonghyeon failed to set the mood, he red at me and sighed deeply. Thats what Im saying. Kim Seonghyeon downed his soju. I met Jeonggyu yesterday, and we talked for a bit. Ah, Kim Seonghyeons friend. He said he wasing back to Korea urgently, so I guess he really did. How how did you get Jeonggyus number? He said he cut off all ties with Korea. Ha You wouldnt know what I went through I remembered that dark history and drank the soju. Kim Seonghyeon tilted his head. So, did you talk things out? Yes, well, it ended well, thanks to you. We cleared up the misunderstanding and expressed gratitude to each other. Kim Seonghyeon sighed and poked the freshly served tteokbokki with his chopsticks, mumbling. Hes not drunk enough yet. Do you want to drink? Yes. Then we should get more drunk to talk morefortably. I poured more soju for him. Without saying a word, we continued drinking, and Kim Seonghyeon got more talkative as he got drunker. Actually, it was really tough back then. I kept thinking I had done something wrong and the activities I had prepared myself for didnt go well either. Ah, I see. Because of that, I was really impatient. Thats also why I was initially so harsh to you. Is that so? I thought that being harsh was a natural reaction from Kim Seonghyeon. Backed into a corner. I didnt even realize I was clicking my tongue, and Kim Seonghyeon wiped his eyes. Before I knew it, the guy who had put me down more than anyone else had let down all his barriers. Im so sorry for back then. And Im really grateful that you cared so much. I sighed for a moment. He really deserved to be called a hero. The person who knows how to bring themselves down is the bravest of all. Having lost my words, I silently chewed on a fish cake, but as soon as I saw the next scene, I couldnt help but spit out what I was eating. Im really a jerk. Kim Seonghyeon shed tears. Im really, really sorry. You had to suffer because of me. Its, its okay. What the hell? How am I supposed to fix this situation? Im not someone who gets flustered when someone cries, but since he was always so stoic, its incredibly bizarre. In front of a faucet with gushing water, I picked up words as best I could and spat them out. Were doing great right now. Thats enough. I ruined the atmosphere and you guys had to get badmouthed because of me Its alright. There wouldve been plenty of trials for me, even if it wasnt you. Ive been doing well but then, bam, knocked down. Getting badmouthed and failing, but then things suddenly go smoothly. Right? Is that so? You never know what will happen, so you just do it. And youve done more than enough. More than anyone else. So, stop crying Hey, what are you going to do if you keep crying? Ding! [Is he just saying anything because hes feeling embarrassed?] Quiet down. I quickly grabbed a tissue and turned my head away. Boss! Two more bottles of soju, please! Oh my, are you guys okay? Yes, were fine! And then we both got wasted. Damn, I tried to calm him down by toasting with him and drinking together, but now Im drunk too. Im actually quite a good dancer, right?? Yeah! Youre not bad! Youve improved a lot, really. As much as Joo Woosung? Dont cross the line. No way. Youre not really drunk, are you? As soon as Joo Woosung was mentioned, Kim Seonghyeons face changed quickly. Ugh, seriously. Just as the atmosphere was getting morefortable, Kim Seonghyeon suddenly dropped his head and rested it on the table, mumbling that he could keep going. But by then, the alcohol had filled my throat, and I wasnt in my right mind either. Do you want more fish cake? Im full Hey, eat it, eat it. You need to eat something hot. Youre not in your right mind because youre drunk. Youre not in your right mind either, Seo Hoyun. Haha, really? When Iughed lightly, Kim Seonghyeon made a face. Its strange. What is? Youre too simr to that hyung. Kim Seonghyeon, who still hadnt lifted his head from the table, suddenly muttered. When I see you I sometimes think of him. He was probably just talking nonsense because he was drunk. I was holding two fish cake skewers in both hands, alternating between them and considering whether to open another bottle of soju. Kim Seonghyeon continued talking, whether I was listening or not. Back then, after dropping out I was exhausted, and, on my way home, I stopped by a street food stall. Mm. At that moment, I was thinking about what to order when tears suddenly filled my eyes. My life was so pitiful. But a stranger standing beside me suddenly handed me 5,000 won and bought me fish cake. He even scooped up some broth for me. Ding! [Some memories are unlocked.] I suddenly remembered the scene as if the noise had cleared away. Boss, can I have more broth, please? I almost dropped the half-eaten fish cake I was holding. A memory of a cold day passed by. A high school student in a uniform crying with a blurry face came to mind. That hyung stayed with me until I stopped crying. So, I forced myself to eat the fish cake while crying. He was about to leave after paying, so I grabbed him. I wanted to at least say thank you. I remembered the words the teary-eyed high school student said. Thank you. But he didnt say anything, just looked at me and said this. I got goosebumps. I looked at Kim Seonghyeons face. The blurry impression gradually matched. [Some memories are unlocked.] Fighting. Fighting. It wasnt much, but that phrase saved me then. I was able to continue. I made it this far and started to believe in myself more. Im happy, but am I stupid? I put down the skewer I was eating on the table. I cant remember the face very well. With that, Kim Seonghyeon finally passed out. Considering that his head was still down and he wasnt moving, he seemed to be asleep. Ding! [You have gained Kim Seonghyeonsplete trust. Infamy points decrease. You have heard all of Kim Seonghyeons past. Privacy is unlocked.] I opened a new bottle of soju and poured it all down in one go. Frowning at the hot and sharp sensation that went down my throat, I looked down at the sleeping Kim Seonghyeon. There was a status window hovering above him. [Kim Seonghyeon, The Dawns leader and main dancer] Seonghyeon. I put my hand on my forehead and thought about it all for a while. No matter how I thought about it, the conclusion was the same. I think that hyung was me. I let out a bitterugh. Ding! [Note: In the past, yer Seo Hoyun helped him, and he has continued his idol life ever since. Once again, with Seo Hoyuns help, Kim Seonghyeon has risen and gained the strength to move forward, oveing his painful past. Main scenario 15%pleted! Proceeding to the next main chapter.] Now I get it Why I ended up in this damn game. [1] Pojangmacha is a small street food tent in South Korea
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! Chapter 52 Chapter 52 [#TheDawn_Kismet_Forever] [#TheDawn_YouAreMyStar] [The Dawn Kismet Special stage] Ugh [Because you told me that I can be a star.] Lifes great, fuck She hurried home from work when she heard that The Dawn was having their first V-live at 5 PM. Before the V-live, she watched the stage of tvK Broadcasting Stations Special Stage,memorating them reaching first ce in Shining Star, with her eyes full of tears while petting her dog. Its a shame to only have this amazing stage once Her heart swelled with pride seeing The Dawn looking much more rxed than in their Shining Star days. Having be a fan of The Dawn through Second Chance, she knew how hard the group had worked over the past few months. Thats why this performance seemed even more special. As she opened her SNS, she saw it was already a mess. [I withdraw my support for The Dawn from today on. These guys are now one with me.] [Next time, its a real shot at first ce! Trust me, guys, this is a winning stock!!] Lets go all-in with our support! Reading the posts full of excitement and anticipation, she shared in the joy. The cyber friends who had bonded closely over Second Chance and Shining Star were all in a simr situation, having taken time off work to watch the V-live. [V-live] [Is it for real that their first V-live is almost a year after their debut?] [Their agency sucks, seriously. Theyve been neglectedNow theyrete collecting fandom names When will Daepaseong Entertainmente to their senses? Daepaseong: So, you dont want us to do V-live? No, thank you very much! (hurriedly)] [Who else is in Daepaseong Entertainment? Actor Min Jiheon in Boy Boss Approved] Although everyone was excited to see The Dawns cute interactions, todays V-live mainly focused on the fandom name. Which one would they choose from the submitted names? Her heart pounded with anticipation. [Letsmunicate together! The Dawns first V-live] Argh! The fan quickly entered the V-live. Uh is this on? Seems like it? The V-live finally began. It seemed like they were in their agencys practice room, and everyone was dressed casually. Seo Hoyun, who had recently caught the attention of fans, had his hair down today. Should we say hello first? [Crazy fuck![1]] [His hair down is heavenly Probably smells good Fuck![2] Dont say stuff like that] However, Hoyun was dressed in ck from head to toe. Hoyun, are you going for the shadow look too? Would it kill you to wear something white? Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued to take screenshots of his handsome face. Hello! Rising Dawn! We are The Dawn! Being somewhat older rookies, they greeted fans with more energy than other popr idols. It was rare to see idols coordinate their greetings for fans on V-live these days. They beamed at their long-awaited idols while a moment of silence passed within The Dawn. Is this really working? Let me check Oh, it is! [Its working!!] [The Dawns first V-live!] Hello~! Finally, The Dawn started to chat amongst themselves. Seong Jiwon asked with a smile, Did you watch our Kismet stage today? [Yes] [Oppa I love you!!!!] [] [The stage was so beautiful ] Thank you foring inrge numbers. The stage set was really pretty too [Yes, yes, it was beautiful!] said thement, and the office worker left another post on SNS with apletely different tone. [Jiwon, its not the stage set thats pretty right now shitt] [Wow Seong Jiwon is really so pretty, I want to slide down his nose Ah, really] Although the temperature of the (moderated) chats uploaded on V-live and the tweets were quite different, the ttery itself was the same. The office workerughed at him and sighed. I should have gone myself Although she regretted not going, it wasnt easy. Shining Stars ratings were much higher than expected, and the awareness of all members, including the hot issue with Kim Seonghyeons fake scandal, skyrocketed. I think Ill know how popr theyll be when they make a neweback She heard that love calls from various variety shows were pouring in, but it was still a mystery which variety show they would participate in. Some even said to focus more on the new song to get number one quickly. There was a fierce battle between wanting them to remain like this forever and wanting them to be more popr. Still, the kids are cute. The chat is moving really fast. Ah, um I have to focus on reading. Watching the chat that was uploaded almost every second, they made a remark and stopped to stare intently at the monitor, which looked adorable. While the other members were hesitating, Seo Hoyun alone read the chat amazingly fast. It was because he had some experience in variety shows. Did you eat today? Yes, I ate. We ordered jjajangmyeon in the practice room! [Ah, its cute how they tell us the menu too] [I want to deliver the jjajangmyeon myself ^-^ !!!] [Are you practicing well~?] Yes, we are practicing well. Were just practicing basic skills for now, though. Thats when Seo Hoyun and Kang Ichae were in sync, reading the chat window. A maliciousment quickly passed between the posts. [Hoyun, youre not getting hit with eggs anymore, huh] [I miss the egg incident, it was so entertaining] Just when Seo Hoyun was reading intently. Shit!! Those bastards should all be beaten up! The office worker clenched her fist and mmed the table. Surely they didnt see it, right? Kang Ichae seemed to have read it as his expression stiffened, but he quickly rxed, perhaps aware of the camera. Meanwhile, Seo Hoyuns lips curled slightly. Were going to order food again with the kidster. Didnt he see it? [Ah, Hoyun is obsessed with food] [Food. Obsessed. Seo.] [The real food maniac] Hoyun-hyung, they say youre obsessed with food? As a Korean, we should eat three meals a day Hoyun-hyung, its starting again! Kang Ichae also joked with a smile towards Seo Hoyun, and Seo Hoyun responded without any problem. Phew, they must not have seen it. Not only themselves but others also caught the chat with eagle eyes, and for a moment, private SNS ounts were in an uproar. [It seems Hoyun didnt see it, right???] [Ah, shit, they should just beat up those fuckers God, Im sending one more person today] [But Seo Hoyuns slight smile is so handsome ;;;;; (I lost my mind at that point)] Still, the posts on V-live passed so quickly that negative stories were buried without any chance of being mentioned. Yeah, its better for the fans not to react. They shouldnt draw any more attention to this situation. While the fans were calming down, the main topic of the day appeared on V-live. Then, should we reveal the fandom name today? Yes!! Are you excited? Yes~! [Aigoo, these kids are so excited kekekeke] [So cute ] As Seo Hoyun caught the wind, Kim Seonghyeon carefully took out a card. The atmosphere was as if it were an awards ceremony. Thank you for submitting so many beautiful names for our fandom. Ourpany has carefully reviewed them and narrowed down the candidates. Yes! We then consulted with thepany and made our choice. [Whatever it is, Ill love it, guys] [If The Dawn chose it themselves, even if our fandom name was Cabbage, Id be fine with it] Our fandom name is Are you curious? Woo~! As Kim Seonghyeon sneakily nced at the card, he suddenly stopped speaking and yfully raised his eyebrows. Annoyed by his teasing, Jeong Dajun suddenly jumped on him. Ah, so frustrating! Ah! Hurry up and tell us! [] [Jeong Dajun is a true Korean] [The people of the hurry-hurry culture] As Jeong Dajun lunged at him (saying it was fun), Kang Ichae joined in as well. Kim Seonghyeon, who had momentarily been on the floor, pushed them off and stood up. His disheveled hair and trembling eyshes showed the hardships of being an idol leader. Phew alright, alright. Woo! Hurry! Hurry! I said Id tell you. [The look of a leader.png] [Ah, these kids are really cute kekekeke] [God Seonghyeons serious face is so cute kekeke] Our fandom name is Noeul[3]! Noeul? The office worker quickly racked her brains. They must have wanted something rted to The Dawn, meaning dawn Why did they choose Noeul? It doesnt seem like they put much thought into it. In an instant, the fan was left with a strange expression as she found herself agreeing with Noeul without much consent. It seemed like many people shared his thoughts, as the reactions on social media were lukewarm. [Hmm, whats the meaning behind it?] [Did thepany just choose it?] [How are foreign fans supposed to call it? fuck kekeke The Dawns image is dropping hard] [Guys, hurry up and cheer up. You said youd be fine even if it were Cabbage.] At that moment, Seong Jiwon smiled and exined. -Noeul doesnt just mean the time when the sun sets. It can also refer to the phenomenon of the sky turning red at dawn when sunlight appears. Yes, yes! We hope that as dawn approaches, our fans, like the Noeul, will always be with us. Thats the meaning behind the name we chose. [Ah such a deep meaning (a picture of someone hitting their forehead with a bottle)] [Jiwon, I loved it from the beginning This persons sudden change of mind, what is this But but our Jiwon (sobbing)] [Im seriously immersing myself and staring into the distance right now] As Seo Hoyun, who had been quietly watching, spoke up. Its nice that we have a fandom name now. Ive always wanted to call out to them. Seo Hoyun smiled gently. It was much more approachable and lovely than the provocative, broadcast-ready image he usually had. That gaze prating the camera, guilty as charged, fuck [Noeul is okay. Foreign fans, its time to learn Korean Agree~] Quick to change their tune, the Noeul fans swiftly moved on to the next topic. [When is the next songing out?] [When r uing back?] Fans always wanted new songs and activities, so they threw out various bait, but The Dawn slyly pretended not to notice and let it pass. The kids will tell us when its the right time, right? The office worker scratched under the puppys chin while reminiscing about the happy times. It was their first V-live, and it had already been over three hours. Although they must be tired, the fans continued sharing TMI and analyzing each members personality. [Seong Jiwon is surprisingly clumsy ] [I knew Seonghyun would be affectionate, but I didnt know he would be this affectionate. He tied Dajuns shoces so he wouldnt trip while running around Such delicate consideration, I love it His big hands are really noticeable] [The same-age line is somewhat soft The younger ones are more spirited] [Its already been over 3 hours. Why do these kids have so much love for their fans? Did they order chicken?] Ah, the kids must be hungry Oh! The chicken is here! Our youngest~. Ah, you only order me around in times like this Just go~ I, Jeong Dajun, will return! Jeong Dajun went out quickly as if he had been waiting for the cool moment. The members looked at him as if it was cute and then returned to their noisy conversation. Jeong Dajun came back humming a song, holding the chicken bags tightly. Chi-chi-chi-chicken, lets eat~, delicious chicken~! [Jeong DajunHes good atposing] [Ichae must be jealous of Dajunsposing ability] Jeong Dajun happilyid out the chicken and c while humming the song. At that moment, he was so excited about the chicken before him that another tune slipped out of his mouth. Youre my key~ [????] [???] Uh-huh, youre the only answer for me~. Dajun! Oops. At that moment, everyone around him froze. Seong Jiwon urgently covered Jeong Dajuns mouth, and Seo Hoyun smirked as if he couldnt believe what happened. Oops Uh Mmph! Wait a minute! Kim Seonghyeon hurriedly turned off the V-live. [Oh, guys] [Was that a spoiler? Did he spoil something?] [AhhThe kids really turned off the V-live] Ah!! What is this! Laughter burst out. I almost choked while eating and watching them. A few minutester, the V-live turned on again. [] [Oppa whats going on??] [Hello, oppa!!! ] It seemed he connected through his phone as Seo Hoyuns face appeared closer. He shamelessly greeted. Hello, Noeul. [Face Paradise] [I dropped what I was eating because I was so surprised Fuck! Is that even human?] [Can you still say theres no country for Seo Hoyun???] [He is our king (picture of someone bowing)] Yes, everyone, there was a broadcasting ident just now. Mr. Jeong Dajun is reflecting in the next room. (Im sorry, hyungs!) [Dajun is being quarantined] Seong Jiwon, who had covered Jeong Dajuns mouth, appeared together shortly after. Seo Hoyun captured the scene on camera. The penalty is a five-minute ban on opening your mouth. Ah, suddenly, Mr. Jeong Dajun is writing something? What is it? Jeong Dajun quickly wrote something on an A4 paper and held it up. Kang Ichae, who was next to him, read it. Can I eat some chicken? Ah~, what should we do about this? Then you have to put it in in just 0.5 seconds. And close your mouth again. [] [Cold idol world] Whats this They all look so close Whats going on Hey, eat slowly. Can I have some c? [ Ah, he is actually trying to eat quickly, but the others areughing and telling him to eat slowly Thats the penalty Hoyun, I can eat quickly too I want to get scolded by Seonghyeon for eating slowly too I want to say snap out of it, but Im like this too] [These kids are really enjoying themselves] [Is it because they were together during hard times that they dont give off a business-like vibe Theyre so cute Im going to be fooled by their sincerity again, is that okay? Lets get fooled together Okay okay] Then, well go back to practice! After eating chicken, The Dawn waved their hands with a smile as they spent many hours on the V-live broadcast. Before turning off the camera, Seo Hoyun released a short Um and hurriedly removed the lens cap. Please look forward to it a lot. Thanks to Seo Hoyuns cryptic message, The Dawns name briefly appeared on the SNS trends that day and then disappeared. *** After the Shining Star program ended, several weeks passed in a whirlwind. With their sudden rise in recognition, they not only performed in regional events but also frequently heard the song Kismet on the streets. With this momentum, they would get good results after releasing their next song. They would, but I want to check my hidden traits. [Hidden traits have been checked. ??? The lock has been lifted. Congrattions >_< You have gained the acting trait!] [Seo Hoyun, is this an idol or a disruptive species Singing: A Dancing: C+ Variety Shows: B+ Acting: B- ???: ??? ???: ??? Charm: B+] Ugh. [] It means that the acting trait has been unlocked. Surprisingly, I, who often got scolded for not being able to express my emotions well in songs, had a B- without doing anything. Haah. Why me? Before that, if it was going to be like this, improving my dancing would have been better. Although Ive escaped mediocrity to some extent, an idols life is based on dancing and singing. During our prime time, I wished that a skill that could boost the whole team rather than my individual abilities would have increased. Of course, there were advantages to an idol member being good at acting. There were still controversies about idols acting, but it was not a bad ability to raise the teams recognition and attract attention. However, with a B- ability, it depended on the role they yed, but it was an ambiguous number that was not bad for an idol but not enough to captivate the public. In other words, carrying this trait now would not earn me any praise. Its not great, and its ambiguous after all the struggle to unlock the trait I decided to ignore the trait. There was no point in worrying about a hidden trait that wasnt helpful. Leaving the pouting system window as it was, I headed to the studio with the members to work on the next song. Composer! Kang Ichae ran to Lim Hyeonsu as soon as she entered the studio workspace, and they exchanged an borate high-five. My disciple, you have arrived. Is my wise teacher in good health? Im not bad, thanks to my disciple. Such an honor!! Whats going on here [1] The original text was , a Korean ng acronym that stands for . [2] is a ng abbreviation for . [3] I had trouble deciding how to trante the Korean word . It describes the period just before sunset when the sun is near the horizon, and the sky is painted with shades of orange, pink, and purple. In English, is often tranted as sunset glow or dusk. In Korean culture, this time of day is considered romantic, and many people enjoy watching the sunset and appreciating the colors in the sky. In the end, I decided to keep the word in its original Korean form.
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! Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Kang Ichae and Lim Hyeonsu exchanged shy high-five like those seen in the so-called hip scene, and then they began to talk about something I didnt know. When did you two be so close? Wow, look at that! Oh no, werete, werete. They threw jokes at each other and giggled They were inseparable, inseparable indeed. Lim Hyeonsu clicked her tongue. During Shining Star, I took Kang Ichae as my first disciple. Ah, yes I wasnt interested. As I nodded with a bored face, Kang Ichae shyly covered his blushing cheeks with both hands. Are you jealous? Of course, I ignored him. I led the remaining members, who were still huddled together, to the sofa and brought up the main topic. We need to revise our title track. What about the money? How about a talent donation? Do you want to die? After scolding him once, Lim Hyeonsu trembled as if memories of being bullied in the past came flooding back. I shrugged my shoulders and handed her a piece of paper. This is the contract. Write your bank ount number here. Please write your desired amount in the memo section. ! Lim Hyeonsus eyes widened in surprise. Then she gasped and touched her forehead as if she was shocked. Ah, shit. Did I just get surprised because Seo Hoyun said hed give me money? . Even a blue toad has turned over.[1] Yeah, just hurry up and sign the contract. As I silently crossed my arms and stared at her, Lim Hyeonsu continuously muttered curses while slowly writing the contract. Jeong Dajun, next to her, looked puzzled. Huh? Money? I thought it was a given. Lets get started. I handed him some candy in a sh and told him to be quiet. Alright, lets listen to it again. This album was another single. It was only natural. Theres no time to make a full album with multiple tracks. Lim Hyeonsu yed the song that was scheduled to be the next title track. Jeong Dajun hummed the same tune he had hummed on the V-Live. It was good as it is, but It has to be better. Thats right. The next song must be amazing. After Shining Star reached number one, our group received numerous requests to appear on various entertainment shows thanks to our increased poprity and recognition. Honestly, we wanted to participate in all of them, but there was no time to ept every request. Even though we had to choose from our schedule, the priority was still oureback. Since we had to reject so many entertainment shows, our song had to be even better. How about mixing just the chorus part of the second verse like this What do you think? Oh, its good? In this regard, Kang Ichae was excellent. He had a natural talent for creating addictive melodies. Ah! Kang Ichae This useful kid. As I looked at him fondly, Lim Hyeonsu, who was quietly watching Kang Ichae, suddenly asked, When is the deadline? Its in a week. Were making aeback in three weeks. Wow, thats really fast. Cant you see thepanys intention to take advantage of the timing and suck up all the benefits? Youre always the same, which is great. Dont mention it. Kang Ichae and Lim Hyeonsu effortlessly progressed through the song revision process on their own. Now, what I had to do Why are you staring so intently? My mission was to win over the remaining members. Feeling my gaze, Kim Seonghyeon tilted his head and smiled. The system window was still lingering at the edge of my vision. [Main Scenario in progress] Is there something bothering you? No. Kim Seonghyeon is done. During thest Shining Star broadcast, Kim Seonghyeon had already spilled everything to me. In other words, his character waspletely conquered. At the same time, the main scenario had progressed by 15%. Last time, Jeong Dajun and Seong Jiwon were also mysterious. They seemed to remember me. This was a simple deduction. Excluding Kang Ichae, who hasnt given any hints, it meant Jeong Dajun and Seong Jiwon were the ones to focus on. The members of The Dawn had some kind of connection to each other, and the purpose of this game was to listen to each members past and help them ovee their grudges. Im Korean. So, Im going to finish this fucking fast. Ding! [Seo Hoyun, what are you thinking so hard about again~?] I ignored the slightly mocking words of the system window that appeared again. If thats the case, I might be able to return to my original world after finishing this task. My original world. The ce where I lived as a PD, where all my career achievements were. And Well, whatever. It couldve been a trick of the light. I cracked my neck from side to side and stretched out. Now, all that was left was to speak. Hoyun, lets practice together for a bit. Seong Jiwon. Can I eat this?? Jeong Dajun. Dajun, pass mine too. Kang Ichae. So, whos the next batter among the remaining guys? A system window appeared as if it knew what I was thinking without me saying anything. Ding! [Not telling you.] Uh, I didnt ask. [] I had to do all three anyway. It would just naturally flow if I did the quest. Otherwise, the scenario would somehow be broken. First, lets put out the urgent fire. I opened the item shop. There was one item floating above it. [Dance shing eyes, shing physical vision! Dance absorption speed is 3 times faster. Experience points umte 3 times faster. Points: 3000 Validity period: 2 weeks] I must buy this. Its good to be prepared in advance. Seo Hoyun, are you not focusing? I have to. Lim Hyeonsu, who was concentrating onposing, asked while fiddling with something. I shrugged my shoulders and closed the item window. Its good to buy things. Buying was a decision, but The problem was where to gather the points. *** Hey Huh? What time do we have to leave tomorrow? Around 3 in the morning? Are you crazy Everyone was exhausted from the continuous schedules, performances, and practicing for our new song. I wasnt sure if we even slept two or three hours a day. Guys, sleep! Im going to y games! Are you crazy? Kang Ichae, who had been flying around, was excited to y games after being forcibly banned for a week. Ah, young guys really are different. Theres only a two-year age difference between you and me. Ill sleep. Iid down, brushing off the slip of the tongue. Id rather sleep an extra hour than y games. I was familiar with staying up all night working since my PD days, but that didnt mean it wasnt tough. Why am I suffering here, trying to enjoy wealth and honor But there was nothing a ve could do. I copsed on the bed, set the rm on my phone, and immediately closed my eyes. If I sleep now I can sleep for exactly 2 hours and 14 minutes. I was instantly drowsy as soon as Iy down. Ding-dong! Just when I was about to fall asleep, the bell rang. I ignored it and stayed in bed. Ding-dong-ding-dong! It rang persistently. Who the hell is. I couldnt help but let out a rude remark. I finally took the call, fumbling for my phone with my eyes squinted. Yes, this is Seo Hoyun. Yeah, my very precious and closest little brother, Hoyun. ? I recognized that voice. I suddenly heard a dog barking, and my sleepiness vanished instantly. I looked at my phone with a still-frowning face. Seo Hoyun? It was Joo Woosung. Why was he doing this? Whats the matter? I tried to ask about the matter but quickly stopped myself. Seo Hoyun! You didnt hang up, right?! His voice sounded hurried and anxious, so it was obvious. It was 2 A.M., a time when he could be in the middle of filming. The sudden call. The contrived, annoying voice. My sleep-deprived brain quickly came to a conclusion. This guy was filming a variety show. Yes, hyung I mean, sunbae. I pretended to fumble with the honorific, remembering ourst concept. If there was any noise during filming, Id definitely get scolded, but it was worth a try acting friendly. It might seem like Id throw up at the thought of sticking to Joo Woosung, but it didnt matter. If he gets annoyed, Ill just have to be more popr than him. Woosungughed as if relieved. In that greeting, he understood my hidden message that I knew he was filming a variety show. I had a sour face as I waited for him to finishughing. Woosung then cleared his throat. Hmm hmm, were you sleeping? Yes? Whats this? Whats with this mushy sentiment? Hey Hoyun, I enjoyed watching you on Shining Star. Ah. Congrattions on getting 1st ce. As expected, you were great since I gave you my support. Ah! Woosung, really (Shh! Quiet!) As Joo Woosung rambled on, the sound of people nearby trying to hold back theirughter reached my ears. Hmm, I think I got it. Its a phone mission. How were phone missions usually carried out? I racked my brain. About 30 seconds had passed since I answered the call. Typically, you pass if you say the designated keyword within 1 minute or 100 seconds of being called. So, what was the keyword? Thank you for calling as well. Yeah, yeah. Bro, I dont really want to hear that you respect me so much He deliberately emphasized the word respect. This seemed like a hint. A Korean word starting with respect respectful? My mind isnt working too well. And I dont really want to hear that Im handsome either. What kind of nonsense was this? As I racked my brain trying to figure out the missions keyword, I suddenly realized what it was through the whispers of the participants in the brief silence while Woosung waited for my response. Dont panic! Youre doing great. Youre handsome! Ah. I already know that. Very handsome.[2] Was that the mission? I hesitated for a moment. I could justply and get it over with quickly, but Woosung had unexpectedly been good to me, so maybe I should help him. Lets see, its been 60 seconds now, and since they havent hung up, it seems like a 100-second mission. Um. 5 seconds. I intentionally kept silent during that time. I could feel the participants getting impatient through the phone. I counted the time slowly in my mind and called out to him. Sunbae. Uh, uh. After taking my time with about 10 seconds left until the 100-second mark, I asked with a serious face. Why are you suddenly acting like this? You shouldnt ask others about how you look. Live independently. At the same time, I heard an angry voiceing from the receiver. Hey! Times up! Failed! The familiar voices from the TV show were loudly transmitted. As expected, they were filming a variety show I yawned, connected my earphones, and left the room. Seo Hoyun! You little! Ah, Joo Woosung! Its a failure, no more ramen for you! Oh~. You knew it! You knew it from the beginning! You were pretending not to know, right? What? Yes, Woosung, you should live independently~ Are you close with Hoyun? I heard you have no one to call except the members? I heardughtering from my cell phone for a while. Seo Hoyun, Im greeting youte! Lets eat, y, and not work! Hello, its my first time greeting you. Im Seo Hoyun. I knew it. Its a shame If I had known, I would have been more prepared. What were you doing! I was in my dorm. Werent you sleeping? No, I wasnt sleeping. I was sleeping. I told you, just go back to sleep! Joo Woosungs angry, resentful voice came through. He must have really believed that I would catch on. Woosung Once again, let me tell you, its all because I took special care of you. Why couldnt you notice that? Its a shame to hang up like this, so well give you a second chance! How about a speed trivia quiz? If Seo Hoyun gets five out of ten questions right, well provide ramen to Joo Woosung~. A trivia quiz? Yes! Um, Im not good at trivia quizzes. Haha, its okay! Do it without any pressure. Well go easy on you. Ahahaha. Do you know who youre talking to? [1] An expression that implies something very unlikely or unexpected has happened. [2] This was a bit difficult to trante since it involved Korean wordy. The designated keyword was , a Korean ng for a respectfully handsome guy. In other words, theyre very handsome. The term is abination of two words: , which means respect, and , which means to be good-looking. Woosung used the word , which is the shortened form of .
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! Chapter 54 Chapter 54 This chapter is generously sponsored by Jaynne. Trivia Quiz? Thats the first thing you memorize when you be an entertainment PD. But theres no way Seo Hoyun like me wouldnt know it. However, when I pretended to be unsure and mumbled some words, the production team eagerly jumped in with a deal. If you get ten questions right, not only Joo Woosung, but well provide food for the entire cast! Wow! Seo. Hoyun. The. Savior! We. Love. You. Seo. Hoyun! Its a bit overwhelming As if it to show how overwhelmed I was, I was now in the kitchen, just sipping some water. Kang Ichae, who was ying a game while leaning against the couch in the living room, nced at me. Whats up? Nothing. Just y your game. Hey, dont be so anxious! Alright, Ill give it a try. Seo Hoyun is the best! Lets start the 100-second quiz! First question, there are six metropolitan cities in South Korea. Please name them all! Please update the contents of the quiz Oh, this is suddenly so hard to think of~. Although the cast jeered at the production team, my mouth was already listing the answers. Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, Incheon, Gwangju, Ulsan. ? The production team had been caught off guard by my rapid response and blurted out reflexively. Uh, correct! I poured water into the coffee pot and waited for the next quiz. Next question: What is the name of the climate change agreement rted to global warming and greenhouse gases, signed in December 1997? Kyoto Protocol. Correct! What is the capital of Albania? Tirana. I slowly made coffee in the kitchen and answered within 0.1 seconds. The coffee smelled so good. From then on, the production teams side became restless as I continued to answer without hesitation. Alright! How about this one? Please go ahead. What is the English term for the time when the advertising fee is the most expensive due to the highest viewer ratings? Hey! This is too much! The production team is trying to starve us to death! Ahaha. I couldnt help butugh. The other side seemed genuinely flustered. Why, why are youughing? Oh, no, uh I couldnt really say it was because even this miserable world seemed to be helping me sometimes. I just hummed the answer. Prime time. And in Korean? The cast yelled The production team is so mean! But I calmly answered. Prime time. Ugh. The production team grumbled for a while before finally spitting out the words they never wanted to say. Correct. Seo Hoyun! You got all ten questions right, Hoyun! Thanks to Hoyun, we get to eat! Yeah, I know that feeling I nodded with satisfaction. I remembered memorizing trivia questions when I was a rookie just in case there was a staff vs cast situation. Seo Hoyun, Ill buy your album! Hope your album is a huge hit! Ahaha! Thank you. I will send you our album. Youre even so cool! So awesome! On the other side of the phone, the cast was already in a party atmosphere. They were even praising me. Maybe it was time to throw in some bait. Well, Im going to hang up now. Thank you for your hard workte at night. Wait! Just a moment! The production team hurriedly called me. Seo Hoyun, lets do one more Trivia Quiz. I had a sudden idea. I could imagine the subtitle Desperate production team appearing on the screen during the broadcast. As I hesitated on purpose, the production team quickly added. If you get all ten questions right, the cast can sleep in a room with the boiler turned on, not in a tent tonight! Gasp! Hoyun, please! Ah, this is I could answer more trivia questions without any problem, but the production team wouldnt be such an easy opponent. Since Joo Woosung used a phone chance, well do a quiz rted to Joo Woosung instead of trivia questions. Why? Why me? Thats a bit Is Woosung upset because he cant hear people saying hes very handsome? No, its not that. Im saying this because he really doesnt seem to know much about me. They must have thought that I wouldnt know much about Joo Woosung since I failed the mission earlier. Wrong assumption. How about it, Seo Hoyun? Do you have no confidence? Oh right, no looking up the answers beforehand! You must answer immediately for it to count. Alright. Lets do it. He didnt need to provoke me; I would have taken the bait anyway. As soon as I answered, not only the production team but also the cast members seemed a bit flustered. Hey, isnt this a bit too much? How would he know what you will ask? Ah I dont really trust Hoyun. Ignoring Joo Woosung, I continued. However, if I get all ten questions right, please invite me to your next broadcast. As I said this while sitting at the table with a cold coffee that had gone cold, Kang Ichaeughed at me for still working so early in the morning. Be quiet. Uwaaah!! Mr. Seo Hoyun is so confident~. He must be really sure of himself! Shouts erupted. The production team seemed to ponder for a moment, then whispered keywords like quantity, fun, and material, before finally deciding. Okay, call! Lets go. I concentrated as the game began. Now, lets see how well you know Joo Woosung. First quiz! What is the first song Joo Woosung topped the charts with, and who was itsposer? ICU. Composed by Philharmonic. It ranked first on Music Bank on February 5th, XXXX. Huh? Joo Woosungs puzzled voice was transmitted clearly. Correct! In the recent song Strike by ck Call, please say one line of Joo Woosungs part! Tell me what you want, Ill make ite true. Who do you think you are talking to? Correct! What?! I already learned all this information when I researched Joo Woosungs background. After watching his videos a few times, I could easily remember it On the other hand, the production team remained silent. Grr What is the date Joo Woosung debuted on a music show?! December 9th, XXXX. Uh was it? Joo Woosung! How could Woosung be unsure of himself. Correct! Wow, its amazing! Seo Hoyun must be a fan of Joo Woosung! The next questions were also easy. Too easy. I correctly answered the names of ck Calls featured songs, the recent drama OST sung by Joo Woosung, and even his cats name. Yaaaaah! Were going to be invaded! Hey, Joo Woosung, youve raised your junior well! Hey, Seo Hoyun Im starting to feel a bit overwhelmed here Next question, please. Alright. As Joo Woosung grumbled,ughter erupted from the other side. Finally, it was thest quiz. The production team seemed to have given up. Do we only have this one quiz left? (Yes) Ah, seriously This is like a freebie. We lost Thest one this is like a spoon-feeding service question. I was confident I could handle whatever came my way. Considering that The Dawn would appear on a terrestrial broadcast, I was already humming. Here is the final quiz. What is Joo Woosungs favorite food? ? Ah, I know this one! Its famous. Joo Woosung really likes this. What did they say? Was this famous? Um. A cold sweat ran down my face. Uh-oh? I searched my memory over and over. Did I have this information? Naturally, I mainly investigated Joo Woosungs music show performances and activities. If they asked me to recite the lyrics of a ck Call song from their second album that Joo Woosung wrote, I could do it right away. But How would I know Joo Woosungs favorite food? Not being able to answer easily like before, the production staff quickly realized that I didnt know. Seo Hoyun, you have ten seconds left! ck bean noodles. Bongole pasta. Cat food. Tuna kimbap. No, tuna kimbap was Jeong Dajuns favorite. I tried to think of various things, but they all scattered chaotically in my head. Sensing their chance, the production team excitedly began the countdown. Mr. Seo Hoyun, please answer! I need something to answer with. That. Yes! That, do I really need to know that? !! An icy silence passed for a moment. Buzz! I got it wrong. I hade so far, but just because I didnt know Joo Woosungs favorite food Feeling empty, I just red at my phone. Dont cry! Dont cry! Its okay even if your younger sibling ignores you! The silent cast suddenly startedforting Joo Woosung. Honestly, what did it matter if Woosung ate well or not? I was listening to the noisy chatter from the other side of the phone, and one of the cast members kindly exined. Joo Woosung is famous for loving kimchi fried rice, isnt he~? Hes been known to eat it all the time on shows, so even non-fans would know. Enough, enough. Hoyun doesnt want to know. Ah I see Was that so? Now that theyve mentioned it, it seemed like I had seen something like that I didnt care, so I skipped it. With nothing more to say, they switched to a one-on-one call, urging the two to make up. Joo Woosung remained silent for a long time. Should I hang up if you have nothing to say? Yup, lets end the call and also our rtionship. Ah,e on. What kind of words are those? No, you cant. Its not a refund period. Please edit out the part where I got touched earlier It wasnt my intention to catch thest part The quiz, which turned into a sea ofughter at the end, ultimately ended in the production teams victory. With the production teams victory, the cast will sleep in tents tonight! Its okay, we can sleep outside! Weve already warmed up fromughing. Seo Hoyun, youre so funny. Even though we failed the mission, you shoulde back next time. Id be grateful if you invite me. After adding a few more words of appreciation and small talk, I hung up the phone and sprawled on the sofa. The surroundings felt even quieter after the noisy sounds had disappeared. Kang Ichae, who had been focusing on his game with earphones on for a while, turned his head to look at me. Youve been working hard since dawn? You said you were sleepy. Its okay. It was worth giving up a little sleep for what I gained. The system window in front of me confirmed that. [Sudden Quest Arrival! Appear on a variety show alone and receive positive feedback. Sess: 3,000 points Failure: Ban on variety show appearances for one year] Ha, as expected Joo Woosung was a resource to be used until the end. As I chuckled, Kang Ichae nced at my expression and shook his head before going into his room. I found a way to earn points. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, Jaynne, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
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! Chapter 55 Chapter 55 This chapter is generously sponsored by Jaynne. [Title: (Preview) Hoping to Get Closer Joo Woosung and Seo Hoyuns Hrious Telephone Mission????? Joo Woosung: A phone mission without the members??? (Pupils dting) Woosung, who has no friends outside the members eventually decides to make a call! Joo Woosung: I dont think hell pick up ???: (ringing) Yes, this is Seo Hoyun. It was Seo Hoyun from The Dawn!! The keyword is: Very handsome. Joo Woosung: Yeah, yeah. Bro, I dont really want to hear that you respect me so much And I dont really want to hear that Im handsome either Annoying since two in the morning! Seo Hoyun: You shouldnt ask others about how you look. Live independently. Joo Woosung: ??? A surprisingly urate response! Seo Hoyun: Oh Its a bit overwhelming (1 minuteter) Seo Hoyun: Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, Incheon, Gwangju, Ulsan. Production team: ???? (What is Seo Hoyuns identity?) Production team: What is Joo Woosungs favorite food? (Past variety show clips where Woosung was a fan of kimchi fried rice shes by.) Joo Woosung: I love kimchi fried rice so much Joo Woosung: (satisfied) Of course, hell guess it right? Ahaha Seo Hoyun: (silence) Joo Woosung: ? (Seo Hoyun hesitating) Seo Hoyun: That, do I really need to know that Joo Woosung: ??! Wrong!!! Seo Hoyun: Should I hang up if you have nothing to say? Joo Woosung: Yup, lets end the call and also our rtionship. A quick severance! Joo Woosung: Its my mistake to call this (beep) Seo Hoyun, (beep) (Joo Woosungs cursing has been censored) (Our program adheres to broadcast censorship standards. ^^) Joo Woosung: Who is Seo Hoyun? Who said to call him in the first ce?? (Joo Woosung We hope you make up soon.) Iughed so hard like a dog shit (likes 4911) Joo Woosung: Of course, hell guess it right? Ahaha Seo Hoyun: (bewildered) This amazingly awkward business rtionship! Ah, so cute, Hoyun They must be really close friends Joo Woosung is lucky to have a friend How did Seo Hoyun answer all the trivia questions? Was it scripted? Famous for no script If its real, its amazing. And knowing the debut date based on that music broadcast standard means hes a real fan of Joo Woosung Isnt he a K-pop veteran. But why doesnt he know about the kimchi fried rice even though hes a fan? Even my mom knows that Joo Woosung is a fan of kimchi fried rice after watching all his variety shows Seo Hoyun, turns out hes a scary guy. From being pointed out in Shining Star to Today suspicious Cant read the context? When did I say that? (Thisment has been reported)] As expected, I got a good response. Joo Woosung has been in the industry for years, and his poprity with the public was quite high, so its not bad. But. [What Why is Seo Hoyun doing a variety show alone? Dont they know that in the early days of being an idol, you have to work hard as a group? Is the agency not taking care of them?] [Seo Hoyun is probably trying to make a name for himself among K-pop idols. Ive seen a million guys like that] [So sick of seeing Joo Woosung being leached on by fans Cut the sucking up~ (vomiting emoticon)] How was the content of the hatements so simr to what I thought they would be? I hesitated for a moment while scrolling through the hatements. It was fine to be scolded like this since it was a part of my daily life as a PD. Individual schedule. If the other members also hesitated because of individual schedules, that would be a bit of a problem. Teamwork shouldnt bepromised. I gave Kang Ichae a proper answer with a bright smile. Thats right. The response is pretty good for a preview. I have to work more on my song today Are you doing a variety show with Joo Woosung today? Yeah. What about the other guys? Dajun is practicing with Jiwon. Kang Ichae listed the members schedules. I couldnt gauge the other team members reactions then. While nodding my head, Kang Ichae showed me something with a grin. Look at this. What is it? Seonghyeons photo. Kang Ichae showed a picture of Kim Seonghyeon wearing a police uniform. [Police Promotion Ambassador, Kim Seonghyeon] Because of the previous incident, he became an important icon for eradicating school bullying. Kim Seonghyeon repeatedly refused with a troubled expression, but after a long persuasion from Seong Jiwon that he could have a positive influence on many people, he finally gave in. I should post this on the group chat too. Kang Ichae: (photo) Kang Ichae: (photo) Kang Ichae: Kyaa! You look so cool, hyung! Jeong Dajun: Is this the dazzling God Seonghyeon? Kang Ichae: Huh? Is this me? Kim Seonghyeon: .. Kim Seonghyeon: Stop it. Seong Jiwon: Oh, its today! Cheer up! He sighed softly as he looked at the group chat messages that kepting in without a break. I have to maintain this as is. All of The Dawn members were good-natured. Compared to Today, who failed miserably and were now under police investigation and running to the army No, anyone would seem like a fairypared to those bastards. Anyway, the bond between the members was strong, probably because they all knew how much they we struggled together. If teamwork was going to break apart, it woulde from within, not from the outside. So, what internal trouble could cause that? There was only one answer at this point. Individual settlements. Honestly, its an important issue. Only my contract had been renewed under favorable terms. The members were likely unaware of this matter. What if they found out that my contract was different from theirs? They wouldnt sue thepany, would they? No, at the very least, it would cause discord in the team. Such unfortunate events must be prevented in advance. I should modify the entire contract at some point. Buttely, the CEO seemed to be nowhere to be found. I heard from the manager that hes busy with business because of Daepaseong Entertainments top actor Min Jiheons filming in China. The CEO is really trying to pull a fast one. The best timing would be when oureback song got first ce. At least with good conditions, it could be negotiated. Hyung. Even if I told them I changed it just for myself now, there would be no good oue. Hyung! Huh? What? What are you thinking so deeply about? You cant even hear me. Ah, sorry. What did you say? Hyung, youre weird sometimes. Kang Ichae clicked his tongue. When will you be backter? I think Ill be back in the early morning. Ichae narrowed his eyes and looked at me. From what I had seen so far, Ichaes intuition was lightning-fast, like Usain Bolt. I quickly averted his gaze. Ichae, what will you do with the settlement money? Huh? All of a sudden? It was sudden, but I couldnt ask, I changed the contract for myself, and youd be really pissed off about it, right? so, I went with a settlement-rted question instead. Well, I dont really want anything right now. I have all the game consoles, and it hasnt been long since I upgraded myputer to the best specs. Game console I remembered that Kim Seonghyeon desperately tried to take all of them awayst time. Ichae was only able to save his consoles after promising to y no more than 5 hours a day. Usually what do kids like? I tried to recall the tastes of the 20-something celebrities I saw during my PD days. Hmm, dont you want to buy a watch or a car? Kids your age usually like that stuff. What the No, before that. ? Youre talking like youre not my age. This kid was frightening. Cold sweat ran down my back. People want to buy something when they get money. Well, about that. Ichae hesitated and shrugged his shoulders. Im not really interested in money. What?! Is this possible? Could such a person exist in South Korea, a country thats capitalist to the bone? I, a small citizen of South Korea, was shocked. I could find happiness in looking at my ount bnce when things were tough Ichae, who was casually flicking his ear due to the shock, even looked noble for a moment. Why? Are you nning to devote your life to a religion? Yeah. Just pray that its not a cult. Dont suddenly contact me to buy a water purifier. Ahahaha. Seeing him engaged in trivial small talk, it seemed like he was just joking. Ichae frowned slightly and tapped his phone with his index finger. Its just Ive seen too many people getting endlessly ugly because of money Im sick of it. I stepped on andmine. Wasnt this about me? I missed the timing to answer as cold sweat dripped down. It seemed that Ichae realized his mistake and quickly changed the subject. No, I mean, thats just how I am. As if he made a mistake in his words, he lowered the ends of his eyebrows and smiled gently. Anyway, hyung, were gonna bete. Lets go quickly. Alright. Following Kang Ichaes words, I was about to head out when I suddenly turned around. At that moment, Kang Ichaes eyes widened as he looked at me. Hey. Huh? Should I buy you something you like on my way there? As if he knew the intention behind those words, Kang Ichae burst intoughter. What are you going to buy, anyway? Do you even know what I like? Chicken? Was I wrong? Hamburger? Pizza? Or Jjajangmyeon? If we had a phone mission together, we wouldve failed. I admitted awkwardly. Everyone seemed to expect too much from metely. Ill just buy anything. A~ I quickly mumbled and left the dorm, walking briskly when a system window popped up in the corner of my vision. Beep! [If theres something wrong, try to appease with food No wonder Kang Ichae doesnt like that.] Well, at least it calms me down a bit when I give him food. [As if] Imely listed off a bunch ofme excuses. But in one part of my head, several thoughts were tangled together urgently. We must get first-ce as soon as possible so that I can negotiate with the CEO. If not, this team would be ruined. *** Hello, please take care of me. Ah! Wee, wee. I must have answered the trivia quiz well; the show I entered this time was a newly created school-themed variety show. Seeing the familiar face of PD Choi, I slightly tilted my head. Seo Hoyun, you look great in a school uniform! Just like a real student. At the age of thirty-three, wearing a school uniform made me feel shameless but I quickly dismissed that thought. Entertainment people wear whatever they were told to wear, be it a school uniform or a monkey mask. Its your first solo variety show, right? Yes, it is. My program being your first solo variety show is an honor! Ahaha! I should be thanking you, PD. Ive been following your recent mystery-solving program closely. Oh, you know about that. It was so minor that it flopped! PD Choi was famous for making interesting programs, contrary to his innocent-looking face and twisted personality. That meant he wouldnt be satisfied with just having stars dressed as students. Today is the first recording, so Im a bit nervous. But Im relieved that Hoyun and Woosung are starting the show. Especially since Kim Heeyeon praised you so much, Seo Hoyun. I smiled and quickly changed the subject. What about the other guests? Theyll be here soon! Seeing his vague smile, I could tell it wasnt just a happy-go-lucky variety show with everyone in school uniforms. Usually, even with reality shows, there would be some priormunication about the concept and how the filming would proceed, but this time there was none All they told us was to act naturally while following the moving route. As I chatted with PD Choi about various things, I turned my head to the sound of noise. Oh, Joo Woosung! As expected, it was Joo Woosung. He smiled brightly and greeted the staff members, then looked at me and frowned. Ugh, Seo Hoyun Hello. Why do I have to be on a variety show with you? Why dont people know that you ckmailed me? Do you want them to know? You jerk. With the now quick-witted Joo Woosung by my side, I looked at the school in front of us. The set was incredibly realistic. Youve been on variety shows quite oftentely. Its because of the good views. Something about chemistry with my hoobae they said theyd like to have me as a guest, and if the atmosphere is good, theyll have me on for a while with you. Im kind of busy What about me? The guy from ckcall? Woosung grumbled, but my default response to his words was to ignore him. So when are you guys making aeback? Its just a few weeks away. We still have some MV filming left. Really? Should I visit the practice room? I suddenly stopped walking and looked at him. Woosung scratched his cheek, looking awkward. I asked with a slightly bored tone. Living like that havent you been scammed yet? Shut the fuck up, seriously Cheongbeom-noona asked me, okay? Right. Lim Hyeonsu was really lucky I was a rtively nice scammer, so Woosung and Hyeonsu were fortunate. Dont worry about helping its fine. Youve already helped me enough, anyway. How could a rookie like me have appeared on such a variety show without you? As I thought that, I heard the familiar sound of a school bell ringing, and I saw a camera with a red light on following Woosung and me. The filming had begun. And then Hey! You two over there! We turned around at the sudden voice. A man in his 40s with a strong physique, dressed in a gym uniform, looking like a typical physical education teacher, was shouting at us. What are you doing not going to ss! Us? Yeah, you two. Huh? Write your names on this paper and go. Joo Woosung and I nced at each other as we were dragged along. As soon as the paper was handed to us, Woosung grabbed the pen and signed it out of habit. Peeking at the paper, it read: [Always be happy~ Joo Woosung] What are you doing? Ah, oops. I just signed it out of habit I thought it was a gag, but Woosungs genuinely clueless face showed he was serious. His ego was invested in being an idol. What are you guys doing! Not writing it properly? And with dyed hair, too I wrote it properly. Right. Joo Woosung! Come here! This shits gonna hit me too? Woosung, who was pouting and ncing at me, changed his expression quickly as the man in his 40s crossed his arms and began scolding him. Eh, teach~. The middle-aged man hesitated as he watched Woosung pretend to be pitiful and wipe his hands. Woosungs poprity was so immense that it seemed the wrath of his fans was frightening. Hmm! Hmm! Im just! Doing my job diligently! I absolutely! Have no ill feelings towards this student! Hmm! Well get going. To save the pitiful actor, I quickly grabbed Woosung and hurried to the designated ssroom. Creak. Quiet. It was quiet. Cameras were set up everywhere, and actors pretending to be students were studying in their seats. On the ckboard, the words Self-study were written inrge letters. What were we supposed to do? For now, I sneaked out of the ssroom and looked at the doorte. 2nd grade, ss 1. Ah, we were pre-high school seniors. Only the sound of solving math problems could be heard. Woosung approached quietly with an awkward face and sat in an empty seat. I found an empty seat and started talking to my seatmate. Excuse me He, huuh! ? Seo, Seo Hoyun! But as soon as I started talking, he was startled, got up, tripped over the chair, and fell on his buttocks. What, what is it? Seo Hoyun! ?? As I was about to ask if he was okay, my seatmate pointed at me with trembling fingers. Are you back from that underground fight? What? I heard you fought with the neighboring high school and you came back unharmed! What kind of nonsense was this? As I looked over at Woosung, he also raised his eyebrows as if he couldnt believe it. Hey! Theres Joo Woosung, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, too! Is it really? I wanted to ask if it was really true. Following my seatmates words, the quiet atmosphere in the ss suddenly became lively, as if it had been a lie. Woosung, as an ordinary person (aka godly person), shuddered with genuine chills and brushed his arm. Whats going on? Thats when it happened. Suddenly, a strong wind blew in, and the curtains fluttered. As the dancing curtains lifted, Yu Jia, who had been the MC for Shining Star, was sitting by the window. Lucifers appearance in the school of demons How interesting. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, Jaynne, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
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! Chapter 56 Chapter 56 This chapter is generously sponsored by Jaynne. If there had been subtitles, it would have been something like Why is sheing out here? Yu Jia, with an indifferent expression, recited the lines that she obviously received from the production crew and walked towards us with long strides. Her acting was truly outstanding. Um, that is! National hip-hop star, Yu Jia! Long time no see, everyone. Not knowing what to say and not wanting to speak, I closed my mouth, but Joo Woosung nced at Yu Jia and asked. Sunbae, what are you doing here? At that moment, the ceiling suddenly opened, and a tray fell on Joo Woosung. Thud! Ahh! What, whats going on? Joo Woosung looked up at the ceiling, groaning. This wasnt some kind of tray music room At the same time, a screen came down in front of the ckboard, and huge captions appeared. [Production Crew: Joo Woosungs failure to immerse himself!] Over-immersion? Why did I get hit? As Joo Woosung mumbled dumbfoundedly, Yu Jia giggled and tapped her head. There are rules to follow in this world. Why did she say that? Why did she emphasize certain keywords? If you fail to interpret your character or over-immerse yourself, a punishmentes flying. So why? Snicker. Yu Jia snickered. Even though it was a variety show, being able to immerse herself like that was truly the reason for her sess. [Production Crew: Over-immersion in character settings will raise your score!] Ding! [This must be crazy] Even the system window seemed bewildered. Ive never seen anything like this before. I quickly scanned the instructions on the screen and skimmed through my character settings. Seo Hoyun. One of the four heavenly kings. Cold-hearted and the brain of the group Has a painful past. Yeah. And Im in the cool category. Yu Jia said it herself. Joo Woosung, forgetting to immerse himself, felt too embarrassed by my brain character and got hit by a tray for the second time. Youre really amazing. I dont want to be bound by the standards you set. Dont get caught up. I didnt want to get hit by a tray falling from the ceiling like Joo Woosung. Joo Woosung was visibly flustered by his role as a yboy with a light but painful past. It seemed to have struck a chord. Hoyun! Is it true that you caused a scandalst time? My partner, who had risen from the floor and sat back in his seat, blurted out. A scandal? Which one? I couldnt grasp it; there were too many. Yu Jia admired my sincere response. Seo Hoyun is really shameless. How can you ept that? It seems like hes really confused. Yu Jia and Joo Woosung whispered to each other and got hit by a tray. [Production Crew: Yu Jia and Joo Woosung, both fail to immerse themselves!] So, Hoyun! Even though life is tough, you know youll win first ce in this exam, right? Exam? My partner seemed to be slightly swayed by my shamelessness but professionally carried out the role assigned to him. Whats this? At that moment, our homeroom teacher entered as if he had been waiting. Alright, kids, lets take a test! Put your books away. A test? While Joo Woosung asked in surprise, I quickly racked my brain. There were new instructions on the screen. [Seo Hoyun, if you get 1st ce, well give you extra immersion points! ^_^ But theres a penalty if you fail!] Come on, pass the test sheets around! A penalty? I took the test sheet with a bewildered feeling. As I picked up the pencil and skimmed through the test sheet, I felt a slight dizziness. The test was a college entrance exam from the national test center. Its like theyre telling me to fail. Hmph. As I wondered what to do, Yu Jia suddenly stood up and flung the ssroom door wide open. The surprised teacher opened his eyes wide and shouted. Yu Jia! Where are you going? This isnt for someone like me, who can go anywhere with the wind and the sky. Yu Jia! Hey! [Production Crew: Yu Jias free spirit immersion sess!] Wow. She managed to slip out. Yu Jia only said what she needed to and disappeared. Even the homeroom teacher didnt stop her, so that must have been Yu Jias immersion. Joo Woosung was lost in thought for a moment, resting his chin on his hand, and then he promptly folded the exam paper into a paper airne and sent it flying towards the homeroom teacher. Joo Woosung! Are you taking this test as a joke? Teacher. Woosung abruptly stood up from his chair. Then, he tookrge strides with his long legs, approached the teacher, and locked eyes with him. The teacher, flustered, stepped back, but Woosung leaned in, supporting himself with one arm on the ckboard. Why, whats wrong? Teacher, why do you always wear the same shirt? Huh? No, thats not true. The flustered teacher tried to exin that he just started wearing the shirt today, but Woosung covered the teachers mouth with his index finger and winked, raising the corner of his mouth. Cutie~. Seriously, these people By the way, the teacher was an ordinary middle-aged man who could be seen in any neighborhood. Chuckling at his ownme jokes, Woosung snickered, and the teacher regained hisposure and scolded him. Hey, hey! Stop messing around and hurry Its not a joke. Woosung interrupted, lowered his eyes slowly, and slightly raised the corner of his mouth as if he knew when he looked charming. When does todays work end? [Production team: Joo Woosung sessfully immerses himself in the yboy role!] Really crazy a ruthless bastard Not just anyone could be a top idol Alright! Hoyun, Im going first. As the teacher stood speechless with his mouth wide open, Woosung checked the screen, waved his hand, and left the ssroom humming a tune. The remaining actors in the ssroom stared nkly at the spot where Woosung had left, their faces tired. I was the only one left. Se-Seo Hoyun! What are you doing? Hurry up and solve the problems! I dont do such trivial things. Stop wasting time and solve it quickly. Evidently, its better to get hit first, and it seemed right to take the challenge first. The impact had diminished after Yu Jia and Joo Woosung had their turns. Ugh I sighed and picked up my pencil. I had no choice but to solve these test problems ording to the concept of a genius. I nced through the questions. So its a college entrance exam for English. Fortunately, I still remembered how to solve it to some extent. But Im a bit worried. Should I try my best? Or not? If I establish an intellectual image here, how much attention will I attract in the future? Or, in the worst-case scenario, would it make things worse? Its good to attract attention, but how much buzz will it create? To not lose to those ruthless people, I have no choice. After weighing various conditions, I nodded my head. I twirled my pencil, wrote my name, and began to solve the problems one by one from question. *** Wow, this is really difficult. PD Choi looked at the submitted test papers with Yu Jia, who finished earlier. Seo Hoyun was talking to Joo Woosung after handing in the test paper. PD Choi chuckled slyly. Right? Its a college entrance exam from two years ago. How can you expect us to solve this? Ahaha, do you think I brought it for you to solve? I brought it for you to receive a penalty. Thats too targeted at Seo Hoyun. Seo Hoyun is a variety show rookie. He has to go through the initiation. How about this for a penalty: stick a fake mustache and write his name with his butt? For an idol? How cute, right! Has he lost his touch? PD Choi winked. Yu Jia nced at Seo Hoyun. She had felt it when she saw him in the Shining Star, but he was an unusual junior. He was unusually calm, and PD Kim Heeyeon treated him kindly as if he were a sore finger. He has a strong mentality, hes shameless, and he has good eyes. He seems to be quite good at acting too. Yu Jia sipped her coffee and stealthily observed her junior. It didnt matter if her junior ended up wearing a fake mustache or not, but she tried to gauge his potential. It was subtly intriguing whether the thick-skinned Seo Hoyun had any ns to try acting in the future. Should I ask him sometime, even though its none of my business? PD! PD Choi! Oh, did the resultse out? The staff member who had gone to grade the submitted test papers rushed back, panting. PD Choi was excited at the thought of discovering a talented rookie idol after a long time. How many points did Seo Hoyun get? If he guessed, did he get at least 30 points? No, thats Why? Is it worse? If its too bad, well just edit the score. Being ridiculed for being ignorant is the worst look for a celebrity. Then why on earth did you make him solve a college entrance exam English question? Although the staff member grumbled inwardly, that was not the important issue. Yu Jia, who was next to them, absentmindedly drank her coffee and then spit it out when she heard the staffs words. Seo Hoyun got 97 points! He got only one 3-point question wrong! What? Hes in first ce! Even among the extras, hes first! PD Choi, who had been momentarily frozen like a bufferingputer, quickly snatched the paper and checked the name neatly written in the top right corner. [Seo Hoyun] ?? As PD Choi was looking at the test paper with a disbelieving face, Seo Hoyun and Joo Woosung, who had been chatting in the corner, stealthily approached. Can I see it too? Se-Seo Hoyun. Even after seeing the written score of 97 points, he remained calm and, after briefly ncing at the back of the paper, just smiled awkwardly. Ah, I got this one wrong. Thats a shame. . It was difficult. At that moment, everyone at the shooting location had the same thought in their minds. What the hell is this guy? *** Seo Hoyun, shouldnt you be going to college now instead of being an idol? How about studying? Joo Woosung seriously asked, annoyingly sulking, as I raised one eyebrow and met his gaze. Its okay. Ive already been there. What! What a waste of your brain. I just guessed well. Wow, even being so humble its annoyingly cool. Did you know how hard it was to pass the PD recruitment exam? I studied so hard that I thought my head was going to explode. It had been over ten years, so it made sense that I would have forgotten, but as I solved it, the memories came back. Its ridiculous tobel oneself as a genius for answering one college entrance exam subject well, but when an unexpected person does it, it became a hot topic. Seo Hoyun, did you prepare for the college entrance exam by any chance? Even you, sunbae, why are you doing this? Seeing even Yu Jia asking with a serious expression, it seemed that the story was too well-received. Joo Woosung kept nagging beside her. How high did you rank in your school when you were studying? Stop asking, is it a holiday now? Go to the Making People Speechlesspetition. Even though Yu Jia and Joo Woosung were making a fuss next to me, I only nced at PD Choi. It seemed like I secured airtime. *** [Title: New Variety Show Over-Immersive Captain Clip Can Go Anywhere with Wind and Thousand Dors? ( )] Yu Jia: This isnt for someone like me, who can go anywhere with the wind and the sky. Seo Hoyun: (hollowugh) Joo Woosung: (shocked) (got hit by a tray again) Who will be the most immersive? I divided it into three because of the adhesion (like 2195) Real embarrassment, deep breathing while watching PD Choi seemed to have sharpened his knife after thest failure, this variety show is really innovative and fun It seems Joo Woosung carried the show just by being so cute Yu Jiaescaped the exam like a ghost with wind and a thousand dorsI never saw her like that, but now she just became a friendly unnie image (like 313) Joo Woosung cant immerse at all, I thought hisughter was too low, but he screamed when he made a goodment (like 1283) Lets start with our highughter slowly] [Title: Over-Immersive Captain Clip I didnt see Seo Hoyun like that, but hes a scary person.] (Solving college entrance exam English with the Four Heavenly Kings) PD Choi: Hoyun, what should be your punishment? (a momentter) PD Choi: 97 points? Seo Hoyun: (nces) Thats a shame. PD Choi: ??? Seo Hoyun: It was difficult Staff: ????? (Attached is a photo of the test paper Seo Hoyun solved) (I swear there was no cheating/script/pre-mention, if not, Ill submit my resignation) Seo Hoyun I didnt see him like that, but hes a scary person Number one video not to show to parents (like 3041) ??: Celebrities can study like that while earning money! Huh? Ah! Thats a script~ Seo Hoyun, a man who has it all looks, skills, and brains But as the 24th descendant of Kim Gyeongju, I, Kim Je Eun, couldnt have it (like 411) Kim Je Eun, go wipe your feet and sleep I got mad at the video, so I sulked, fuck Im so envious, I hope its scripted] Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, Jaynne, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Also, join our Six-Chapter Tsunami, where every $20 of donations pooled into our fund triggers the release of a brand new tranted chapter from each of our six fantastic novels! 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! Chapter 57 Chapter 57 After finishing the variety show, we were busy preparing for oureback. Hey, lets have a trivia quiz showdown! Just pack your stuff. Ichae, what are you bringing now? My video game console No, Ill leave it behind! Yes! Hey, hurry up! Our manager must be waiting. Our morning was chaotic from the start. Ding! [Its the same as usual!] Well, yeah. After finishing all the preparations by myself, Iid down on the sofa and checked YouTube reactions. It was as expected. [Unexpected Quest Complete! Appear on a variety show alone and receive a positive response. Sess! You gain 3,000 points.] Seo Hoyun, lets go! Ah, are you done? Kim Seonghyeon tapped me. I grabbed the packed suitcase and went outside. The spring breeze was subtly giving way to early summer scents. I loaded the suitcase into the van and took a deep breath as I sat down. Are you guys ready? Got your passports? Eh?! I dont have mine! Gosh, I totally forgot! Kang Ichae looked back and forth between the flustered members and the manager. Why would we need passports to go to Jeju Ind? Ah. Oops. Ugh While everyone was being noisy, even Kim Seonghyeon looked out the window with an excited face. Well, its understandable it was our first location shoot. We were going to shoot the MV for our new song. Ive never been to Jeju Ind before! Really? Have you ever been there, Hoyun? Well I think I visited a couple of times to help with some filming. As I nonchntly answered, Seong Jiwon got excited and spoke up. Dont worry, Hoyun!! Suddenly, Seong Jiwon stuck his face in-between the seats with a grave expression. He then pulled out a worn-out Jeju Ind guidebook. Jeju Ind is famous for its ck pork. Ah! And we should definitely try the abalone noodle soup. Id like to visit Mount Ha too, but with our MV shooting schedule, who knows ck pork I wonder if its delicious. Hes really excited. Kang Ichae yfully teased Seong Jiwon, who seemed determined to show the opposite attitude. Jeong Dajun discreetly spoke to the manager. Manager, is senior Min Jiheon also filming in Jeju Ind?! Huh, how did you know? The schedules coincidentally ovepped. I heard it through the grapevine at thepany. Ah~ I really want to meet him! We havent seen himtely because hes been filming abroad. Min Jiheon? Why? Everyones attention was drawn to Jeong Dajuns words. Kim Seonghyeon asked, and Jeong Dajun excitedly pped his knees. Hes filming Please, Cider! in Jeju Ind! Ah, Ive been a fan since the beginning~. I watched it recently and its so much fun. Ah, the weekend drama? Hes really good at acting. Right. I heard its really popr in Asia these days. Theyre filming in Jeju Ind for promotional purposes. Lately, Ive been hearing a lot about Min Jiheon. That also meant that the CEO was pushing only Min Jiheon. He should be rowing while the waters flowing[1], but he never seemed to have a clue. I need to try to persuade him soon Guys! Weve arrived. Before we knew it, we arrived at the airport entrance. The manager parked the car but couldnt hide his concern for us. Absolutely, dont panic! Smile and dont get too close to the fans faces! Follow the security guards! Manager, were not that popr. Jeong Dajun answered innocently. The manager looked worriedly at each member through the rearview mirror before opening the door. Ah, theyre over there! A journalist holding a camera pointed his finger at our van from the entrance. While Jeong Dajun was caught off guard, journalists swarmed in. Jeong Dajun! Look over here, please! Please smile! I quickly caught Jeong Dajun as he stuttered and pulled the members closer. Ah, Im Im so touched! Its like like a drama! But you shouldnt hold my wrists like this. These days, dramas dont even have wrist-grabbing scenes Quiet. Smile. I roughly anticipated it, but I didnt expect this many people to gather. The other members also had awkward expressions as they waved their hands and nodded their heads. Ah, hello. Hello! Seonghyeon! Ichae! A loud voice rang out as we entered the airport. Through the gaps between the journalists, I saw people eagerly squeezing through and taking pictures with their huge cameras. They were definitely our fans. Jiwon! Have a safe trip! Hoyun! Be careful on the ne! Not only the reporters but also the flock of fans that gathered, with some of the more skillful ones managing to squeeze into the tight spaces in between the journalists, taking photos of us was truly at the height of artistry. I was also impressed by how good our security guards were at their job. It was really nice and also apologetic. We showed only a mechanical smile to the reporters, but seeing the fans brought out a genuine smile. Hoyun! You must have a safe trip! They must have had a hard time getting here, so the photos have to turn out well. Making sure to look good, I quickly approached the camera and waved my hand in front of it. Ill be back. The fans screamed while not missing a beat to press the shutter. Leaving the strange feeling behind, I barely made it into the gate with a bow. Everyone clenched their tickets and didnt even open their mouths until we got inside the gate; only when the fans were out of sight could we finally talk in low voices. Wow, I was really surprised. Right I thought such things only happened to others. Jiwon scratched his cheek bashfully. Ichae, who was walking next to me, chuckled and whispered to me. Hyung, did you know? What? When Woosung-sunbae came to the airport, it was paralyzed. From there to there, it was all filled with people. Heol. Well, thats Woosung-sunbae after all Not only in Korea but also overseas, he was one of the representative idols leading the Hallyu wave. So even more, seeing the fans earlier was amazing. There are such guys around Why did they bother toe to take pictures of me? Hoyun, what are you thinking? Youll be fine. Huh? Jiwon tilted his head and smiled. Jiwon, who had almost cheat-like abilities from the beginning We entered the gate. It was an hour-long flight, but I was ready to sleep with my arms crossed. I left the members, who were still excited about the fans, alone. *** Wow! ck pork! ck pork~! After barely getting an hour of sleep, we arrived and it was already evening. We were told to rest at our amodations. Filming would start tomorrow morning, so we had free time tonight. They suggested we y by the oceanter, making it feel like a school trip. I dont want to go. Gasp! Wow, hyung. R, really? Fine, Ill go. I only said one thing, but it was as if I hadmitted a terrible crime I couldnt not go. I was nning to sleep more. I sighed deeply and put a piece of well-grilled ck pork belly in my mouth. Wasnt I born to eat this? Yeah. I thought I might as well have a drink of soju since I was eating anyway Ding! [Typical rice friend He rarely takes care of himself] Why are you saying that? Excuse me?? Never mind. I was about to ask our manager if I could drink alcohol when, perhaps fearing the aftermath, the system window disappeared more urgently. At that moment, the restaurant door swung open. Huh? A group of people wearing ck-padded jackets poured in through the opened restaurant door. No matter how I looked at them, they were people armed with padded jackets in preparation for filming. As soon as our manager spotted one of them, he suddenly stood up, and one person in the group of padded jackets looked surprised. Ah, why is manager Kim here? We came to shoot The Dawns music video. Ah! Oh, my goodness, look at me. Hello. The man from the other party bowed his head with a bright smile. We also got up and bent our backs deeply to greet him, and Jeong Dajuns eyes sparkled with anticipation. Who is he? Im Kim Seongcheol, Min Jiheons road manager. Ah, hello. Kim Seongcheol, a manager from the same agency, offered his hand first with a friendly and pleasant impression. After shaking hands with each member of The Dawn, he turned his head back to our manager. Wow! Its not like theres only one ck pork restaurant in Jeju Ind, but we happened to meet at a ce like this. I know, right? What brings you here? We came to unwind a bit after finishing our shoot. The managers seemed to know each other and were chatting away. Then, a man who could be identified as an actor by anyone walked in, yawning. Min Jiheon. The guy who our CEO admired so much has appeared. Hyung, where is our table? Wow! When Jeong Dajun screamed, Min Jiheons gaze turned this way. Our youngest member, who was also a celebrity, shamelessly approached Min Jiheon with raised eyebrows. Min Jiheon-sunbae! Youre getting too close. Min Jiheon-sunbae! Im a huuuuge fan!!! It was rare to see the face of an actor famous for his mystique in everyday life, but the CEO was such a miserable guy that I already disliked Min Jiheon even before I met him. Min Jiheon stared at Jeong Dajun for a while and then pped his hands. Jeong Dajun, hello. Wow, you even know my name!! Ha ha. But Min Jiheon wasnt as cool and intellectual as the image he had on TV. He seemed a bit dim-witted and slow. As Jeong Dajun covered his mouth with both hands, seemingly touched, his face turned red as he stuttered, excited by himself. Please, Im a big fan of your work! I-I want your autograph, but I dont have any paper Can you sign the back of my T-shirt? Um. Is that okay? Then, could you sign on my forehead? Should I? Hey, what do you mean should I!? As Min Jiheon obediently nodded, his manager, Kim Seongcheol, put him in a headlock and ruffled his hair. It seemed like the manager quite adored him as he pinched his cheek while saying You rascal, you rascal. Contrastingly, Min Jiheons face slowly turned into a sad expression. It hurts. Hey, give Jeong Dajun a proper autograph on paperter. Whats wrong with this guy? Hey, when are we going to sit down? Just wait a bit longer. While Jeong Dajun was going crazy, the rest of the members couldnt sit down or join the conversation, and just watched the situation unfold. Of course, I was busy calcting. Is there anything I could gain from getting closer to them, or not? Theres nothing. I got the traits, but I probably wont have to act either. As I finished my calctions and was about to turn my attention back to the freshly cooked pork belly, my gaze met Min Jiheons. ? The previously dim-witted Min Jiheon suddenly frowned as he scanned me up and down. Ive never seen something like this before. Excuse me? Was he picking a fight right now? If he said one more thing, Ill rev up my thug persona to strike back, but Min Jiheons manager pulled his arm. Hey, Jiheon, lets not bother them while theyre eating. Yeah Seongcheol-hyung, Im hungry. Alright, kiddo. I know youre a big eater, so lets eat quickly. Can I eat enough for ten people? Sigh, do whatever you want. Alright. Min Jiheon grinned and said goodbye to us without any lingering attachment. Ill be going now Sunbae! Next time, Ill definitely get your autograph! Sure He blended in with the staff effortlessly, and soon we could hearughtering from the other room. Hoyun, whats wrong? Its nothing. After that, while eating, I couldnt tell if it was my overactive imagination or the thug persona I had developed over 30 years. I felt an odd sensation on the back of my head. As I stuffed a piece of pork belly into my mouth, Jeong Dajun returned to his seat with a sullen expression and started chewing on lettuce. I wanted to get his autograph on my forehead Dajun Please, snap out of it. If Jiwon says that, you really need to reflect on yourself. Its serious. Following Seong Jiwon, Kim Seonghyeon also tried to calm down Jeong Dajun (which could be interpreted as scolding). Kang Ichae, who seemed to have taken a liking to the director role, shoved the camera in Jeong Dajuns face and conducted an interview about his feelings on not getting the autograph on his forehead. Please, Take Care of My Dad is the drama of my life, and Min Jiheon-sunbae is just radiant Whos your favorite character, Dajun? That would obviously be our own The Dawn! Wow~! Nobody seems to have noticed anything. Excluding Jeong Dajun, the other members ability to pick up on things was outstanding. Even Today, those guys could exchange nces and understand each other just by looking at each others faces. But nobody, not even Kang Ichae, mentioned anything Was it just my imagination? And that guess was shattered exactly one hourter when we stepped outside the restaurant. Oh. Min Jiheon was there. [1] It means that the CEO should take advantage of The Dawns current poprity.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Also, join our Six-Chapter Tsunami, where every $20 of donations pooled into our fund triggers the release of a brand new tranted chapter from each of our six fantastic novels! 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! Chapter 58 Chapter 58 This chapter is generously sponsored by Rhavaniel. Hello. Yes, hello. Eventually, a drinking session unfolded at the ck pork restaurant. Min Jiheon and I ran into each other outside the restaurant, as we both stepped out to get some fresh air. I thought Min Jiheon might be smoking, but he wasnt. We greeted each other awkwardly and began fiddling with our phones when I felt a piercing gaze. As I rolled my eyes to the side, I saw Min Jiheon staring at me tantly. As if he was looking at some fascinating creature. Why is this guy like this? Even if there were rumors going around among the staff that I was not that friendly in front of my seniors, it didnt really matter in reality. But it felt like he would keep staring at me if I didnt say anything, so I took the initiative. Do you have something to say? No Im just curious. What about? Um. . Really unique and interesting. Min Jiheon simply shrugged his shoulders. Then, as if he had some social skills, he introduced himself first. Im Min Jiheon. I couldnt properly introduce myself earlier. Yes, Im Seo Hoyun. Its nice to meet you. So I think its really our first time seeing each other. If I had seen you before, I would have remembered you because youre so interesting. . So, whats the point of this? I looked at Min Jiheon with a slightly annoyed expression. Min Jiheon was an actor who had joined the Hallyu star ranks after striking it big with a supporting lead role in a drama, following his early career in theater. He was a character that existed even before I was transferred into this game, but unfortunately, I had never encountered him when I was working as a PD. If I had known him, I would have had some information about him, but Min Jiheon was a mysterious actor who rarely appeared on variety shows or gave interviews. He also held fan meetings only asionally, and there was hardly any information about him avable to the public. I think I know why they call him a mystery. Its because if people knew how clueless he was, his image would be ruined I was always mentally prepared to face choices popping up as if they were waiting for me to meet new people. But strangely enough, he remained quiet. Hmm? That couldnt be right. As I frowned slightly, Min Jiheon turned his head and stared intently at my face. So youre an idol, right? Youre in the same group as Jeong Dajun I remember seeing you on TV. Yes. I havent debuted for very long. Is that so? I dont think you have much time left What? . Could it be that hes being condescending? I couldnt help but let out a hollowugh. Just as I was about to ask him what he meant, Kim Seongcheol, Min Jiheons manager, burst out of the restaurant. Hey! Min Jiheon, where did you go? I was full. Finally full, huh? Should I stop ordering food now? No! I think I can eat about five more servings. Min Jiheon, you pig Hyung, Im a person too, and I get hurt. Min Jiheon pouted and mumbled with a sullen face. Yet, Kim Seongcheol, who seemed used to this, didnt pay any attention and greeted me before hastily dragging Min Jiheon away. Hey, lets get going quickly. Umm. Well, its better to get rid of this mysterious guy quickly. Oh, Seo Hoyun, could I see your phone for a moment? As he was being dragged away by his manager, Min Jiheon suddenly turned his head toward me. Beside him, Kim Seongcheol looked at him with a face asking, Why is he suddenly doing this when he never did before?. Yes. Here you go. As I handed my phone obediently, Min Jiheon punched in his phone number. This is my number, soter, when you return to Seoul, please give me a call. You seem to be in a hurry. . What? What is it? Huh? Jiheon, are you feeling sick? Did you eat something wrong? Why are you suddenly doing this? Ah~ Seongcheol-hyung, I have some social skills, too. Did you drink too much? Should we go to the hospital? Kim Seongcheol, the manager, was so confused that he grabbed Min Jiheons shoulders and shook them. Min Jiheon stuck out his tongue and grumbled that he was being looked down upon before handing my phone back to me. Anyway, please call meter. Yes. Seo Hoyun, sorry! Well go ahead! In the end, Min Jiheon was dragged away by Kim Seongcheol. Watching that clueless figure, I quietly looked at the number written on my phone. Somehow it feels unsettling? Theres no need for big data analysis. Min Jiheon was unsettling. There was a loud warning signal that I should never get involved with him. I not only added Min Jiheons name to the cklist but also carefully saved his number before calling Kim Jaeyeon. Hello? Kim Jaeyeon, do you have time? Having insurance was not always a bad thing. Please check this one thing. *** Oh! Seo Hoyun, The Dawn! Its been a while! Hello, Director Jeong. As I greeted Director Jeong, whom I hadnt seen since our Second Chance shoot, he showed a friendly smile and gently patted my shoulder. I really enjoyed watching your variety show appearance in Over-Immersed Captain. It was so fun. Ah, thank you. My daughter is a fan of Kim Seonghyeon, but she says Seo Hoyun is her favorite If the MV doesnte out pretty, I feel like Ill be kicked out of the house I see. Director Jeong greeted us warmly. We exchanged a few more words before looking around at the turquoise waves reflecting the sunlight. This MV was mainly going to be filmed at the beach, and we could already hear song ying. The song is good. Its Lim Hyeonsu again, right? Yes, we asked her again this time. Thats lucky! Lim Hyeonsu, with her high nose bridge, is famous for notposing songs no matter how much you beg. How do you manage to get her songs as a priority? You just have to threaten her. We were lucky. Director Jeongughed and turned his gaze to the beach. Wow, the weather is really nice today. Its perfect for a refreshing concept, isnt it? Indeed. Later, youll be getting in the water. YesWhat? I also want to go home. I asked again, but Director Jeong just hummed and left. Although I wanted to ignore it and pretend that I heard it wrong, Jeong Dajun gently rubbed my arm. The water is still cold though Its perfect for catching a cold Do we have a hair dryer? Just dry it in the sunlight, duh. Seong Jiwon nonchntly replied as he walked by. Sometimes, it seems like hes the one with the least fears among us. I agree. Seonghyeon-hyung, is the sandwich good? Oh, totally. Jeong Dajun sat down next to Kim Seonghyeon, who was munching on a delicious-looking sandwich. He supported his chin with both fists. It still feels like a dream that I got his autograph yesterday. Who, Min Jiheon-sunbae? Min Jiheon? Even though I didnt want to listen, my ears perked up reflexively. Jeong Dajuns cheeks turned red. After living in the dorm, I realized that Jeong Dajun was a drama fanatic a drama otaku, to be exact. Thats why he especially praised actors who were good at acting. Is he that great? Of course. Hes such a good actor! Really? Everyone else replied indifferently with I see and tried to move on, showing no interest. But Jeong Dajun became even more excited, chattering nonstop. Ive watched a lot of dramas and know many popr actors, but Min Jiheon-sunbae is different Theres no other way to describe his acting other than being possessed! Oh, I see I should have seen him when he was doing ys! Hes popr now, but back then he appeared in many experimental roles. For example, ying a mad scientist who fell in love with a frog!! I see. He did that too? Even though we were getting bored, Jeong Dajun kept on listing Min Jiheons amazing achievements. I wanted to cover my ears, but Seong Jiwon suddenly spoke up. Hoyun, didnt you talk with that sunbae yesterday? Yes. I frowned, and Jeong Dajun suddenly leaned closer. How?! Why didnt you tell me?! Well, I just greeted him. Hyung could it be! What was it? Jeong Dajun suddenly stood up. Hyung, are you also a fan of the drama Please, Cider! where Min Jiheon-sunbae appears?! Sit back down. I was a fool for paying attention to Jeong Dajun when I thought he noticed something. Jeong Dajun whined, saying, Min Jiheon is the undisputed peak of Korean actors and is a god with acting skills that transcend genres from romance to thriller. I shoved a sandwich into his mouth to shut him up. But Min Jiheon is strange. My intuition was telling me that there was something suspicious about him. It would be best to avoid him as much as possible. Borrowing Jeong Dajuns words, Min Jiheon was indeed different. Hes not like these other punks. I couldnt put my finger on it, but he just felt strangely unpleasant. After talking on the phone with Kim Jaeyeonst night, he spent the entire night investigating, and I got a call from him at dawn. However, when I recalled our conversation, there was nothing really worth mentioning. There was nothing Not a mysterious past, just really nothing at all. Dont be ridiculous. I sipped on an electrolyte drink. Theres no way a person without a dark past exists. Theres no way such a person exists in this world Did I just say something stupid? Its possible. I turned my head away from Jeong Dajun, who always looked innocent. Anyway, thats not important Now, its time to start my strategy. Ichae, you look great together! Really? Kang Ichae wasbing his hair with a lot of pomade applied. Two stylists were murmuring beside him. I want to make Ichae look a bit rascal-like. How? As the dye in Ichaes hair fades, theres a beauty of that summer, like a wildflower blooming Ahaha, I look like a wildflower? Kang Ichae closed his eyes andughed softly. The makeup artist called me. Hoyun,e over here! Ah, yes. Since you always had a strong and sexy vibe, how about changing the concept this time? How about a national first love vibe, since its summer? Wait a minute! But its too bad to miss out on the sexy vibe! Sexy or innocent?! The hairstylist and clothing stylist joined the heated debate about my look, while the sun was burning hot, and the waves were refreshingly rolling in. I kept thinking as I looked at the members ying and bickering. I just need to win over three more of them, and when I be an A-lister, the mission isplete. Everything was going ording to my n. Even if a variable like Min Jiheon appeared, the oue was already determined. Ill get out of this game, go home, and return to my life. Its obviously necessary. What do you think about this? I also had things to check. Hoyun! Yes? Why are you like this, so absentminded and unresponsive? The arrow suddenly turned towards me. I awkwardly smiled, feeling caught off guard. Ah, Im sorry. There was a moment of silence. The stylists nced around and murmured. Hoyun, what did you do before bing an idol? Im really curious. Why did you join Daepaseong I mean, you must have received many offers. What? Then, they all quickly gathered around me, buzzing with opinions. We must go for both innocent and sexy! I agree. Its a pity to give up on both with that face. Instead of bangs, lets give it a slightly wet look with wax. They spoke hastily and finished setting my look. I nced at the mirror, and it seemed fine. I thanked the stylists and joined the members. Shortly after, the MV shoot began. Oh! Thats good, keep up the lively vibe! Director Jeong continued to give strange orders, and amidst that, I kept collecting my thoughts. After several retakes of a scene where I simply walked on the beach with gentle waves touching my ankles, we finally got an okay. Break time! Thank you. Hoyun, youre really capturing the camera today. The atmosphere is no joke~ Atmosphere or not, theres no need to keep getting tangled up in thoughts alone. Theres no need toplicate things. Lets catch just one person. I looked around. Okay, lets have a serious talk. Everyone was doing individual shoots right now and the only one apart from the others was Kang Ichae. What is he doing? Ding! [Building a sandcastle?] Well, it looks fun and nice I walked up to Kang Ichae, who was happily building a sandcastle by himself, and tapped him on the shoulder. Elementary student. Ugh, you startled me. I carefully sat down beside Kang Ichae because of the costume and asked him with a serious expression. Are you troubled by something? What are you talking about? If somethings bothering you, tell me. Ill give you advice like an older brother. Ding! [What are you doing right now?] I had resolved the issue with Kim Seonghyeon in a simr way, so why couldnt I do the same with Kang Ichae? He might just spill all his concerns. Ding! [I think I know what youre thinking, but thats not how it works!] You never know. Its worth a try. Kang Ichae nced at me from head to toe with a questioning look. What is it? Ah, never mind. Just say anything. Hmm Kang Ichae dusted off his sandy hands and smirked. Then he lowered his voice and said, Hoyun, actually, I have a concern. I cant sleep well these days because of this. Oh! What is it? Will you listen to me? Go ahead. I showed a trustworthy smile, also known as the magic participant-dismissing smile. Even those who cursed me behind my back for being a two-faced character or a viinous PD would be disarmed when they saw this smile. Theyd spill all their inner thoughts and earning me the reputation of being an interview genius. I silently congratted myself. Ding! [Is this really possible?] Even the system was taken aback. However, the other party was Kang Ichae. I want to be good at acting cute. I want to do it for my fans. Ive been thinking about how I can be as good at it as Hoyun Ah! Hyung! Annoyed, I stomped on the sandcastle, destroying it, and walked away with long strides. I could hear Kang Ichae deliberately making fake crying sounds from behind, but I ignored him. As expected, Kang Ichae soon caught up and stood beside me, fidgeting. Whats up? I noticed somethings been off since yesterday. I dont know what youre talking about. We came all the way to Jeju Ind. Cheer up. Kang Ichae gently scratched my nerves. Once I smacked his head, he quieted down. As I was about to enter a building with a caf on the first floor, I heard voices from inside. Isnt it true that The Dawn isnt really a group that should make it this big? Ah, I agree. It was staff gossip. Enjoyed this additional chapter? 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Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Also, join our Six-Chapter Tsunami, where every $20 of donations pooled into our fund triggers the release of a brand new tranted chapter from each of our six fantastic novels! 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! Chapter 60 Chapter 60 This chapter is generously sponsored by Aimless. [Aaahhh!] [Screaming!] After the release of the music video, everyone on the timeline suddenly began screaming. Theters, confused by the uproar, scrolled up to find a link. [Guys, this seems to be a sequel to the Apocalypse series (link)] Clicking the link led to a post. [Title: Ocean Train-Second Chance series confirmed, opinions divided but this is clearly a sequel! Just watch the MV, this time the concept for Ocean Train is about the members boarding a train heading towards the sea (clip of Seo Hoyun walking inside the train) (clip of each member looking around) But when they walk through the train, sometimes the background seems distorted, right? The train itself is the same, but It was strange, so I looked closer. (zoomed-in background of the train) When you zoom in, the paintings hanging in the train are different. Each painting looks like a famous artwork, but in reality, they represent the cards Seo Hoyun flipped in Second Chance. Particrly noticeable is Seo Hoyun, whose card was a spade but is revealed in more detail this time. parison of tarot and ying cards) I think its the King of Swords, which in tarot represents a logical but self-serving tyrant. This is the same as Seo Hoyun, who controlled all the boards in Second Chance. Meanwhile, the painting for Seong Jiwon shows a king holding a sword with a heart. The concept of regression remains the same. Well, wevee this far, right? Everyone thinks theres no connection, and it seems like they just threw in the concept of Ocean Train randomly (I thought so too) But I realized that Daepaseong is seriously insane, from a long time ago the sea is A symbol of the unconscious (unconscious_drama1.jpg, unconscious_drama2.jpg, unconscious_movie.png) (Ocean Train music video clip of the train going underwater) This represents not the reality of each member but their unconscious Thats why everyones backgrounds are different Second Chances background was reality, while Ocean Train represents their unconscious So, what are they thinking in their unconscious minds? I was curious, so I carefully examined the background. I noticed English words engraved in the background in a sh: Seo Hoyun: In the end, Ill have my way; Kang Ichae: If you cant avoid it, enjoy it; Kim Seonghyeon: I want to protect everyone; Seong Jiwon: It doesnt matter how many times; Jeong Dajun: ??? (not shown) (I cant figure out Jeong Dajun no matter how many times I watch It seems intentional, but what is it?) But now, everyones ideals are very different, right? So when they alle together, the train shakes a lot. (clip of members facing each other and the train sinking) When all the members meet in the end, a fierce wavees in, meaning their ideals are shing. Sigh Thats why even when the train is sinking, they dont care and just keep walking as if nothings wrong, because they have their own beliefs They dont doubt a single bit (I think Im going to explode watching Seong Jiwons expression of showing no care) After that, the box Kim Seonghyeon pulls out is empty, and there are many interpretations, so I wont mention that. In conclusion, everything in this MV is the unconscious of each member, and the reality is still in the post-apocalyptic world of Second Chance. Im writing this because there were many peopleining about the refreshing Ocean Train and thinking they abandoned the previous album concept. Guys, go watch the MV again.] After the post was shared, exnations and hidden clues poured out on various SNS tforms. [Daepaseong is insane] [Daepaseong,e out and give us a bonus!] [nner,e out right now!] And Lee Jihyeon, who nned all these settings, shivered in awe at the urate interpretation. Thus, whether the fans btedly screamed or not Ocean Trains live performance began soon. . . . Yuyu Bank! Im Joo Woosung, the bank president~! Its almost early summer now! Joo Woosung focused on the camera and shed a businesslike smile. Today, Yuyu Bank had ck Calls Joo Woosung and White Cherrys vocalist Han Chaeri as special MCs for their summer special. In the audience seats behind the camera, there were noticeably many triangr shaped lightsticks, probably because it was The Dawnseback day. Joo Woosung suppressed his slight trembling eyes as much as possible and exchanged smiles with Han Chaeri standing next to him. As the two often appeared together as special MCs, they were dubbed the visual couple of Yuyu Bank, even being promoted by international fans on YouTube. It was a ridiculous story within the fandom. What do you think about all these refreshing summer songs, Chaeri? Yes, Woosung~! With the wind and sky, it feels like we could go anywhere! White Cherry members smoothly continued with their professionalments. However, the real meaning behind their words was this: Roll your eyes while you can. I dont want to. As always, the broadcast station was like a jungle. Although they were chatting ording to the script, deep in the eyes of White Cherry members, there was a silent emotion engraved, saying You trash. Hehe. Knowing this, Joo Woosung, who had already broken up with all of them, just smiled even more brightly. As they finished introducing and went backstage to wait, Han Chaeri muttered to herself while her eyes were fixed elsewhere. Sometimes when I see such shameless Woosung, Im amazed. A true pro, huh? Oh, youre shameless? Wasnt that a good thing? Joo Woosung sat on one of the two chairs arranged backstage, passing by the irritated Han Chaeri. He then turned his eyes to The Dawns stage. The members, dressed in light t-shirts and linen shirts that matched the bright and cool summer concept, were checking their positions. Theyre nominated for first ce today, right? Seo Hoyun. You guys have gotten close recently, havent you? Well yeah. They seemed like good kids. Polite too. I dont know why theyre hanging out with you, Joo Woosung. Seo Hoyun is good? Woosung shivered, remembering his first encounter with Hoyun. No matter how he looked at it, Hoyun wasnt on the good side, and he could bet all the earnings and buildings in Seoul that he was more delicate and kind-hearted than him. No, theyre not ordinary. Huh? Theyre much worse than me. Does he mean theyre much bigger jerks? Han Chaeri seemed puzzled, but Woosung had no intention of clearing up the misunderstanding. If Hoyun found out, it would be embarrassing. Theyre really weird. He had felt it from the beginning, but there was something about Hoyun. He wasnnt like the other people in the entertainment industry, who filled in the gaps with effort after entering the scene with their looks and a little bit of talent. It was as if Hoyun knew every step of the way, and naturally sprinted towards the predetermined oue. So, in the past six months, things went well. But to go higher, he needs real skills. Especially when his dance skills werecking. Hoyun checked his in-ear monitor in front of the camera and took his position. The music started, and the camera followed him. The sun is shining on your back, Quickly, get on this train. Wow, theyre known for their live performances. Chaeri muttered as she rested her chin on her hand. These days, it was natural to use AR and perform live, but removing MR and live verification were like checkpoints that idols had to pass. In the midst of that, the voices of The Dawn members who were performing live soared through the sound, leaving no doubt that they were good at live performances. They would probably benefit more without MR. He sings well. It was not a bad talent. He was on the beat and was pitch-perfect. Much better than those who missed half the beat just to show off. But his dancing is. Woosung sighed as he recalled Hoyun practicing awkwardly in the stuffy practice room of their agency. Dancing doesnt improve easily. Talent, sense, and hard work are required. Having watched thest episode of Shining Star, Woosung knew Hoyuns dancing skills hadnt improved much. I guess they should be prepared for some criticism this time too. Well they probably wont care about that. Woosung urately grasped Hoyuns carefree personality and seriously analyzed the stage performance. Unaware or not of Woosungs thoughts, Hoyun found the right timing and started the choreography in earnest. The sea train cuts across the sun. Even if the waves crash over us, Tide gets high and low. Huh? As the song progressed, Woosungs eyes grew wider. Whats going on? Hes good. Hoyun is That clumsy dancer! He was not only on the beat but also able to do the wave! Oh, he can dance a bit. Chaeris appraisal was just that, but Woosung, who knew the old Hoyun, was shocked to the point where his jaw nearly dropped. The wave is pushing at your back, Quickly, get on this train. What the? Whats with them? How could this happen? How on earth could he improve so much in such a short time? Whoa, calm down. Sit down. Chaeri tried to calm Woosung down as he suddenly stood up and moved to a ce where he could see the stage better. If it were up to her, shed let this trashy guy get caught on camera and scolded by the camera director, but she wasnt that cruel. Woosungs eyes followed Hoyun,pletely oblivious to Chaeris mixed feelings. Hoyun continued the performance, making eye contact with the camera throughout. So, Hoyun Looked like he was good at dancing. Is that even possible? That cant happen with just practice. You alone are my only answer, You are my key. Woosung was deep in thought. Does he have a hidden talent I dont know about? No. Hoyun was just a hard worker who made good ns and got a little lucky with the system. *** Wow, amazing. Good job, good job. We were on our way back after doing two prerecorded performances with the other members. I was exhausted, but the young guys were still bouncing around. I could only think about the red ginseng[1] that Seong Jiwon gave me in the waiting room, but from afar, I saw Woosung approaching. Hey. Hello. Hello! Since Woosung popping out of nowhere had be routine, the members greeted him without any tension. Only Woosung had a serious expression. And today, as soon as we met, he blurted out nonsense. Doping? What? How can you suddenly dance so well? Sometimes I wonder whats going on in Woosungs head? Despite my sincere admiration, Woosung didnt let it go and just raised his eyebrows. I couldnt say it was all thanks to the system store in the system window Wait, is that a crazier idea than doping? No matter how I think about it, its strange that youve improved so much in such a short time. Ah, really? Ah, its not just that. I had be quite good at dancing. Of course, I wasnt as good as Kim Seonghyeon or Joo Woosung, but at least now I could move my hips and sway smoothly. Joo Woosung squinted at me and let out a heavy sigh. Hey, Im really curious. How did this klutz be like this? Hoyun practiced really hard. Seong Jiwon cut in with a smile. Right. He practiced almost 24 hours a day! I thought Hoyun would die. Nice. The other members noticed my awkwardness and stepped in to speak up for me. Woosung grumbled with his chin up, only showing his quick-wittedness at times like this. But is it really just from practicing? Talent overload Is that all you wanted to see? I quickly changed the subject. Woosung still looked uneasy, but he went along with it for now. Hmm, the song was good. The stage was pretty too. Thank you, sunbae! Kim Seonghyeon, who admired Woosung, bowed his blushing face after being startled. Woosung awkwardly epted the gesture. Sometimes, I cant believe that Seonghyeon and Hoyun are in the same group. What can you do if you dont believe it? Seonghyeon, fighting! Woosung clenched his fist and shouted. It was obvious that he wanted to tease him. I hope you get 1st ce~. Just saying? Huh? You have to vote. I grinned and tapped his phone. It was a gesture to show that he should vote instead of just saying empty words. Woosung rolled his eyes, annoyed. Sometimes I wonder, have you ever taken the MBTI personality test? Yes. It said Im normal. You little shit. Woosung grumbled as he walked away. I chuckled as I watched his back. 1st ce must be difficult. Even on special broadcasts like today, only top idols like Woosung and Han Chaeli were invited as special MCs and that was just for music shows. Moreover, it was one of the three major terrestrial stations. The request for a vote was half a joke and half an expression of desire for 1st ce. As expected, we didnt win 1st ce in the final ending stage. Woosung congratted the winner and handed them the trophy. I pped and looked at the members. I wondered if they were disappointed. Hey. But it was a false rm. Kang Ichae immediately started bickering with Jeong Dajun as soon as we returned to the waiting room. Back in the day, people woulde up and start a fight with me every two steps I took, asking what I was doing here. Grandpa, how many times have you told that story~! Ahem! Thats what Im saying. You fools. Their mentality seemed overly stable. Soon, Kang Ichae finished his joke with Jeong Dajun and strolled over to my side, changing the subject. Chef! Id like to order kimchi stew for dinner. Am I the one cooking? Hyung! We bought all the ingredients! Jeong Dajun shook his head up and down. Instead of kimchi stew, please pay more attention to getting 1st ce. Even Seong Jiwonughed from the side, making it seem like they couldnt even imagine winning 1st ce. It was good that their mentality had improved, but I sighed and looked at the system window. [Quest in progress Win The Dawns first music show! Sess: 5,000 points awarded Failure: If you dont get 1st ce until Ocean Trains music show activities end, the calction fails] Whats with the heart behind you? Dont mess around with money, okay? Fine, lets have kimchi stew. I followed the managers instructions to pack up and leave the waiting room. As I walked out, stretching my sore neck, I saw Woosung ncing at me while receiving greetings from his juniors. Our eyes met, and he pointed to his phone while pursing his lips. Such a waste. I voted, you know? Wow, what a real pushover. I sighed with genuine admiration. But there was no need to worry about the pushover, so I turned to the members. Anyone wants to make a 1st ce promise? Huh?? There was no ce for 1st ce in this music show in my ns anyway. *** Today, The Dawn is a candidate for 1st ce~! See. They immediately hyped us up as soon as we came here. After a long period of hardships, the pre-recorded and live stages were over, leaving only the 1st ce announcement. It was a robbery. This particr broadcast program, unlike other shows, had a great system for rookies where only the singers who appeared on the show could be candidates for that weeks episode. We bowed our heads to the slightly popr bad singer who was also a candidate for 1st ce. The real-time voting ends! So, there was no way we could lose in the voting. The MC faced us with a smile and said the usual lines. Before the announcement, can we hear your pledges first? AhYes, yes! Kim Seonghyeon grabbed the microphone and found the camera with ease, bing quite familiar with it. However, he was still a bit clumsy. If we were to be candidates No, I mean, if we win first ce, well switch parts for the encore stage of Ocean Train! Ah~, switching parts! That sounds exciting~. It was one of the fans favorite encore performances. Of course, it wasnt chosen randomly How about switching parts as our first-ce pledge? It was obviously calcted. Huh? Alright, sure But can we really win first ce? Wow!! I want Hoyuns part! Ah~, seriously, man. Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun innocently agreed, thinking it was a fun idea, but Seong Jiwon let out a subtle smile while Kang Ichae chuckled, looking at me. Smart guys. If I win first ce, Ill sing while standing on a water tank! The bad singer followed with their pledge. The MC smiled brightly and held the microphone. Now, weve heard each of the first-ce candidates pledges. So, who will take the honor of being this weeks Lucky Musics number one? Lets find out! First, the digital scores! The digital and album scores were slightly in favor of the bad singer by 4 to 500 points. However, our video scores led by 2,000 points. Finally, the live text voting scores that would determine the winner. [The Dawn] I quickly calcted the 2,430 points. Just when I was about to smile, I heard a loud pop sound. Todays first ce goes to The Dawn! Oh~. The sparkling confetti fluttered around the members. At the same time, the questpletion message appeared. [Quest Complete: Congrattions on your first music show win! 5,000 points have been awarded.] Thank you. What were the ratings for Shining Star again? It was obvious considering it was empty-nester[2] ratings. Not only was it not one of the big three terrestrial broadcasters, but thanks to the great system that allowed only artists appearing on the day to be candidates, it was already predicted that we might win first ce on the music show known as the gateway for rookies I turned my head towards the members with my usual expression, but it seemed the other members were different. Um For a long time, they bowed their heads and didnt move. Thank you, everyone. Uh. Eureka. With an impassive expression, they shook off the colorful confetti stuck in their hair, waiting for their thoughts. No one could pick up the microphone, not even Kim Seonghyeon, who was supposed to speak their feelings. Oh my. Kim Seonghyeon raised and lowered his head several times, fumbling with the microphone but unable to open his mouth. He gritted his teeth to stop the bursting sound of tears and choked back sobs. Seong Jiwon cried like a faucet, and Jung Dajun was bawling like a baby. Darn. The only ones remaining were Kang Ichae and me. Our eyes met. Hey, do you want to do it? Nah, you go first. I quickly took up the microphone and, like an idol would typically do, I started by thanking the not-so-grateful representatives. Thank you to our always grateful CEO of Daepaseong Entertainment, the nning team, stylists, and our manager. We are also grateful to theposer Blue Tiger and Director Jeong for the fantastic music video. I was only genuinely grateful for a few of the people I just thanked. I just listed them because everyone else did, and thats all there was to it. The truth was, I wanted to express my gratitude to the people I was about to mention. To our families, who are always by our side, thank you. And to our hardworking members, thank you, too. I took a deep breath after saying that. Lastly, to our fans, Noeul. Cheers erupted. Seeing how happy they were just for being mentioned, I couldnt help but feel good. I bowed my head. Well all things considered. Thank you so much. We will continue to show you our best. Winning first ce was still a big deal. Kang Ichae took the microphone and waved with a beaming smile. Noeul, we love you! Thank you! Thank you~! The tearful members finally pulled themselves together and bowed to those around them. I approached Jeong Dajun, who was still shedding a storm of tears, and put my arm around him. With my other hand, I gently squeezed both of Dajuns cheeks. Do you feel better? Hyung, it hurts, sob Pull yourself together, kid. Some people might think that its easy for them because we won first ce so soon after our debut, that we must be cunning, and its all thanks to the survival program. However, I just smiled. I didnt want to measure this moment with such words. Seong Jiwon came over and patted Jeong Dajuns head vigorously. He still had tears flowing down his face and a mix of emotions in his eyes. Nevertheless, he smiled brightly at me. Hoyun, we we won first ce. It had been a triumphant moment for me in half a year, but for Seong Jiwon, it was a long-awaited light. I decided not to disturb Jiwons moment. For those who had devoted years of their anxious youth to an uncertain future First ce for real. This time, I decided to congratte him sincerely, without any calctions. Jiwon hurriedly wiped away the tears streaming down his cheeks and trembled. Right. I smiled back. You did well, Jiwon. [1] Red ginseng is a type of ginseng popr in Korea, believed to have various health benefits and provide energy. [2] Empty-nester refers to a situation where there is littlepetition, making it easier to achieve sess. Enjoyed this additional chapter? 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Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Also, join our Six-Chapter Tsunami, where every $20 of donations pooled into our fund triggers the release of a brand new tranted chapter from each of our six fantastic novels! 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! Chapter 61 Chapter 61 [1st ce!!!] The atmosphere of the Noeuls was almost like a party. Theyughed and cried at the same time. Particrly, the core fans who had been following them since their debut were crawling on the floor. [1st ce 1st ce 1st ce Ah, fuck, is this real or a dream? Is this really happening? Aaah, its so great!] [Theyre the fastest among the new groups, are they buying their way up? Music maniption? Shining Star + Robbing an Empty House Ah, , they really racked their brains] [As soon as they were announced as 1st ce, the members cried like babies cute Its so funny and sad and touching and great I didnt know I could cry this much] [In the midst of all this, Kang Ichae and Seo Hoyun are perfectly fine Their spirit is the true definition of a professional] The reaction to them being 1st ce was good. Maybe it was because of their hardships during Shining Star, but everyone was deeply immersed in the moment. [Wow, its really like a novel set up. From total nobodies -> Appearing on Shining Star -> Rising to fame -> 1st ce. Im so proud and going crazy] To begin with, the fact that this song caught on just as well as their previous one, add in the fact that there were fewer controversies, yed a big part. Meanwhile, when The Dawns performance and Seo Hoyuns fancam were released [Wow] Seo Hoyuns individual fans were taken aback. [;;; Whats up with Godking?] [Why is he dancing so well? He must have practiced a lot So proud, its driving me crazy] [What is Seo Hoyuncking now He has it all: looks, singing, dancing, and variety Lack of manners Imughing so hard right now] Of course, the Noeuls didnt mention his godliness. To those who just casually liked Seo Hoyun, they might not know, but people describing Hoyun as insane seemed to know about his personality. He was somewhat affectionate to his fans, but he has a strong spirit and was definitely not friendly to everyone. Some of them fully supported Seo Hoyun, no matter what controversy erupted. In fact, when Hoyun chose Today, some of them just coollyughed it off. [Hoyun is just a baby, so thats why insane Are youughing? Sorry] [Our rabbit might have done that too Agree, agree ] As the saying goes, Like idol, like fan, they were shamelessly thick-skinned so much so that the members would be shock if they found out. Anyway, as the increasingly powerful fans celebrated Seo Hoyuns impressive growth withughter, more and more videos titled The Evolution of Seo Hoyuns Dancing appeared on YouTube. The praisingments also increased, but of course, there would be flies at the growing feast. [Hes only good at his own part . You can see the level when idols barely manage to memorize their own parts and get praised for it.] Naturally, the fans got upset. [Wow, look at the subtle provocationing in~ Ah, its so thrilling ] [Its proof that he did really well, right? ] They were slightly annoyed but not the type of fans to be swayed by this level of agitation. If The Dawn became more popr in the future, of course, there would be more trolls stirring up trouble. However, when the 1st-ce promise fancam was released, even this agitation disappeared in an instant. [The Dawn Ocean Train encore stage ? Congrattions on 1st ce!] [Pledge part summary! Seong Jiwon Kang Ichae, Kang Ichae Jeong Dajun, Jeong Dajun Seo Hoyun, Seo Hoyun Kim Seonghyeon, Kim Seonghyeon Seong Jiwon. Please press like] Whether it was a funny concept or not, the rap part and vocal part were switched. Watching Seong Jiwon awkwardly rapping Kang Ichaes part, even the hardcore fans of Jiwon couldnt help but close their eyes tightly. [He memorized it correctly The beat is right The diction is good Why] [Jiwon Just sing] [Jiwon, dont do what you want to do You guys are so cold] And then Kang Ichae imitated Jeong Dajun so wellwaving his hands like crazy and copying his unique singing stylethat everyone was in stitches. [Kang Ichae is really shameless For a moment, I saw Jeong Dajun Hes really got a strong spirit but his personality is so good The epitome of being in his own world A person who wouldve been on top in any group I just cant help but love him] Next up was Jeong Dajun. Jeong Dajun tried to be cool by slicking back his hair and doing various gestures, but to the fans, he was only adorable. [Its just Jeong Dajun Jeong Dajun: ;; Our baby Hes so cute] Kim Seonghyeon sang Seong Jiwons part effortlessly and sincerely. Surprisingly, his voice was good, and there was a buzz among the fans. [What is this. What is this Kim Seonghyeon taking on the main vocal part all by himself, whats going on] [Too many settings on this guy If he went on Today, there wouldve been so many settings, and people wouldve asked if the writer had a conscience] Everyone had fun revealing their gag skills or unexpected talents by switching parts, but the most eye-catching one was Seo Hoyun. At first, he seemed hesitant to take on Kim Seonghyeons part, but during the dance break, he adjusted his strength ording to the beat and danced well. [????] [Huh???] Compared to Kim Seonghyeon, he still had a long way to go, but it seemed like he was at least at the average level of other idols. His graceful dance lines attracted even more attention. [What? Seo Hoyun is good at dancing even when its not his part??] [He knows how to control his strength] [If Kim Seonghyeon is powerful and dignified, Hoyun knows how to adjust his strength ordingly. His facial expressions are also good, so Im just watching this with a fist in my moutj Yah, take the fist out of your mouth Ugh] [Hey, those who said he cant dance unless its his part,e out! Lets battle~!!! (A big grin, fuck~!!)] The reaction was precisely in the direction Seo Hoyun had aimed for. *** Seriously, they have no conscience. I said while putting on a gray jacket. No matter how I thought about it, they were just too shameless. Jeong Dajun, who was still in high school, whined while flitting around. I dont want to wear my school uniform anymore. Ah~ what good times. Hoyun, why are you saying that? You only graduated four years ago. No, its been a long time. I wanted to say that to Seong Jiwon, but I gave up. The Dawn was going to appear on a talk show program. The concept was to dress up in school uniforms, be students, have dance battles, and determine the true best through a talk show. Kang Ichae, go. Okay. After finishing the shooting preparation, I followed the staffs guidance and walked down the hallway to the ssroom set. For this concept, the shameless and cunning Kang Ichae was perfect. He took the lead, opened the ssroom door with a bang, and entered while fidgeting. Then he smacked the desk with his palm. Whos the top dog here? These are all familiar faces. The celebrities, whom I had terribly troubled during my PD days, cheered without knowing anything. Its The Dawn! Hello, guys. Following that, Seong Jiwon entered, waving his hands gently, and the rest of the members came into the ssroom. We stood in line, smiled and greeted one another. We came to eat at this school. Ahahaha! The shooting went smoothly. As much as the camera was rolling outside the set, there were people who stuck with the concept and remained faithful to their fame. So, I heard that Ichaeposed the song for this release? Yeah, thats right. You must have made some money, right? How much did you earn? That kind of money Ive seen it so many times that its disgusting. For a moment, that thought crossed my mind and I nced at him. Kang Ichae responded casually while fiddling around. Ah, unfortunately, the copyright royalties havente in yet. Kang Ichae winked yfully at the camera. Please transfer the payment to Ichae soon! A man who strictly separates work and personal life. Everyone burst into cheers at his rxed appearance. Jeong Dajun was teased for crying too much, and Seong Jiwon was asked if he was really a tiger teacher[1]. When it was Kim Seonghyeons turn, they indirectly brought up the school violence issue to grab emotional points, but Kim Seonghyeon well, he deliberately avoided that topic with a nervous face. Yeah, dont do that. There will be a bacsh. Each member had their turn to shine, and then it was my turn. The celebrities suddenly leaned forward. Hey Hoyun, I heard youre really smart? Huh? I showed an awkward smile. I was curious about what woulde up, and it was this. No, not that much. What do you mean? We all saw it on TV. Youre good at English, and you memorize dances quickly. Hmmm It was nice to be praised, but if I kept beingbeled with this image, fans might get bored. They keep hearing the same story again and again. Was there no fresher story? While thinkingzily, I maintained a polite smile on the outside. Haha, its no big deal. but youre really handsome. Im surprised I think I heard simr things during my PD days when I first met them. Of course, once the program started and we worked together, it was no secret that they called me a sly person who smiles and grinds people down behind my back. Ah, it was fun back then. I miss it a lot. Now that Im in the subordinate position. It seems like there are about ten teenagers on the other side of the camera? I calmly waited while listening to the whining of a celebrity with a mischievous image. But theres noughter While waiting for a punchline to burst, my variety show PD alter ego was starting up the next step began. It was called If You Die, I Die, a secret revtion corner with a rather cheeky title[2]. Hey~, lets talk about scary stories. Yeah, sure! As the ssroom darkened and the sound of thunder rang out, theedians in the cast created an atmosphere by cracking jokes. On a rainy day, the students in the ssroom each brought up interesting stories. A way to show off a stars eloquence and return! Who wants to go first? As I was about to open my mouth, Kang Ichae suddenly raised his hand confidently. Ichae will do it. Ichae, why do you keep mentioning your name? So youll remember my name well. Ding! [Isnt he just trying to be cute?] I also think thats right. Anyway, Kang Ichae looked like he was trying to focus everyones attention by smacking the desk with both hands and putting on a serious expression. Its a shocking true story I experienced. What is it, what is it? This time the protagonist is not me but Houhou-hyung. Houhou? Hoyun-hyung. Its his previous stage name. This guy? Kang Ichaes finger pointed at me. I crossed my arms and legs in a showy manner. The production staffughed warmly, thinking it was just a joke, but in reality, I had no idea what was going on and cold sweat was dripping down my face I had made too many embarrassing mistakes in the past. No, Kang Ichae isnt the kind of guy who would mess around. He wouldnt say anything that would damage my image. But then again, there was nothing. All the recent conversations I had were rted to Today, which would be edited out anyway As I forced my brain to work like an old, slowputer, Kang Ichaes story began. That day it rained a lot, just like today. Kang Ichae whispered in a low, gloomy voice, as if trying to match the atmosphere. Kim Seonghyeon also listened carefully to the story. A day when it rained a lot? What is it? Hoyun, do you know? No, not at all I answered Seong Jiwon and quickly counted in my head, but still, I couldnt figure it out. It was the day before the final recording of Shining Star Shining Star? You mean thest episode when we performed Kismet? Yeah, thats right. You remember well. At that time, there was a lot of talk about whether Shining Star would continue or not. But what could we do? We practiced hard together in the practice room. I felt slightly anxious. I really wanted to be number one, so I practiced hard until I was exhausted, and when I was about to leave Hoyun wanted to stay and practice more. Hoyun? Yeah. But we just let it be because hes a practice bug. He even had to be taken to the emergency room once because he practiced so much that he couldnt sleep and got sick. Really? The ER? Voices of surprise echoed throughout the set. Jeong Dajun nodded in agreement. Hyung suddenly copsed. We were all so shocked, it was no joke. Wow! Youve really lived a passionate life. Thats so cool. I felt a little guilty as everyones eyes pierced me for having gone through such hardships, but I left the title of an idol who was hospitalized for practicing too hard alone, as it wouldnt harm me. To be honest, my anxiety was elsewhere. What what was it? Anyway Hoyun is always calm and rational when he practices. I was on my way back when I suddenly got a call. They said that the Shining Star program would continue. Its good news for us, right? So, I called Hoyun to let him know. Kang Ichae banged on the desk twice. It was a rainy day. The day before the final recording of Shining Star. The day when I practiced alone. But he didnt answer the call. .!! I remember!! Feeling doomed, I jumped up and rushed to the desk, desperately trying to cover Kang Ichaes mouth. He struggled to avoid me while grinning, but he couldnt resist my desperate attempt to stop him. The flusterededians stood up. Seo Hoyun, you cant do this! Stop, lets stop. Cut, cut. If this got out, I would really want to die. As if trying to smother Kang Ichae, I hugged him and tried to stop his mischievous mouth. Meanwhile, the other members who still didnt know what was going on just stared at the situation with question marks all over their faces. Hey, you really Hyung! I said Id take care of the variety show part for you. Please, Ichae. There was something here, something huge was about to happen. Theedians, who had sensed something,ughed and separated me from Kang Ichae. Wow~, seeing Hoyun like this, there must be really something? Ah, what is it? Im so curious. Kang Ichae, who had be a mess, stood up from under the desk and spoke ominously. You cant stop the truth, hyung. Laughter erupted even among the staff members. Anticipating the approaching humiliation, I crouched down on a chair in a corner, covering my face and escaping reality. I could feel the camera zooming in on me. So, I went back to the practice room because I was worried that he might have copsed again. But if he was practicing, I couldnt interrupt him, right? So, I slightly opened the door to the practice room and Kang Ichae made a gesture of opening the door slightly with his hands. Hoyun was practicing his aegyo. Wow! Whoa! You. Are. So. Love. Heart. Fluttering. Im. So. Pretty! Im. So. Pretty. He was doing that. Kang Ichae even demonstrated by shing the tips of his fingers together, making theedians scream in empathetic embarrassment. What did you say? Did I hear it wrong. The other members acted as if they had heard something they shouldnt have, digging their ears or looking at the ceiling. That bastard I thought he was a good guy for not telling the members, but fuck, he was the kind of guy who would hold his tongue and endure it just to reveal it to the whole nation. Kang Ichae let out a deep sigh. I couldnt believe what I was seeing Hoyun isnt that kind of person Youd know if you asked the members. Whats his personality like? Curious, aedian asked, and Seong Jiwon forced a smile and replied. Well hes calm and rational. Hes definitely not that kind of person Exactly! Hes not that kind of person. Hed never do anything that would put himself at a disadvantage. Kang Ichae, that trash, was stirring up the atmosphere with the people around him. But then, that person was doing this Im so pretty, Im so pretty. So? So?! Our eyes met through the mirror. His face turned blue. Kang Ichae! As soon as I got up, people around me grabbed my arm and made me sit down again. The filming set was already filled with screams andughter from people (who had felt the empathy level). So, I quietly told them the news to spare you embarrassment, hyung. AHAHAHAHA! Then I thought as I was leaving Kang Ichae finished with a regretful face as he brushed his hair back. This hyung is really trying so hard in life. UHAHAHA! Wow, thats a legendary story! Confirmed! Having be the target of embarrassment, I justy down on the desk, pretending to be dead. It seemed better to hide my presence and pretend not to exist. Hoyun, Hoyun, dont you have something to say?! Is it for the fans?! Everyone was so agitated that even the cast members forgot their informal speech concept. I had toe to the lectern as theedians kept making a fuss, asking if I had fainted. Kang Ichae was smiling mischievously. Its not covering 2%, but rather 200%. Ha Hyung, please share your thoughts. If the fans are happy, isnt that all that matters? As I spoke honestly with a disappointed expression, even the staff couldnt help butugh to the point of almost sobbing. Kang Ichae leaned on the lectern andughed almost to the point of wailing. Youre so lovable, its so cute. It was the most depressing Its so cute, its so cute in the world. In the end, I had to do three reenactments of the aegyo, gettingpletely picked on during the shoot. The staff even crazily waved the sketchbook, asking for more. These crazy bastards No, I was even crazier I half-heartedly read the lines written in the sketchbook. Hoyun is just born pretty Waah! So embarrassing! Because others are just pretending to be pretty Ho. Yun. Also. Tries. Hard. Life Seo Hoyun, please! Please stop! That bastard Kim Seonghyeon wasughing so hard that he slid off his chair and fell, not even realizing it was his fault. He didnt even know the favor he owed me, fuck. [1] Refers to a strict and disciplinarian teacher [2] is a yful mistrantion of a Korean phrase that means we will stick together through thick and thin or we will be together until the end.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Also, join our Six-Chapter Tsunami, where every $20 of donations pooled into our fund triggers the release of a brand new tranted chapter from each of our six fantastic novels! 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! Chapter 62 Chapter 62 This chapter is generously sponsored by Voo. [Exclusive Preview/Legendary Embarrassing Moment: Check Out This Male Idol] I quietly turned off YouTube after watching the video in the practice room. As I did, a message popped up on the screen. Seo Hojin: hyung hyung hyung hyung Whats going on? Seo Hojin: Im in a hurry Me: ? Seo Hojin: Have you seen my ss notes from freshman year? I need it for an assignment Me: No Seo Hojin: Ha thump-thump[1]... thump-thump I was sure this bastard deliberately made up this story just to bring it up. I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth to contain the anger that rose from within. In an instant, the variety show that was broadcast to the whole nation turned me into an idol with legendary embarrassing moment. It was great that my intelligent image had a 180-degree change, but it wasnt so great that my embarrassing moments on YouTube garnered millions of views. [Is Seo Hoyun an aegyo machine or a robot? (Like 113) Aegyo machine: Is he a robot or Seo Hoyun? Robot: Is he Seo Hoyun or an aegyo machine?] [When Seo Hoyun grabbed Kang Ichae by the cor, it was the highest rating (Like 2144) ] [Ho.Yu.N.Be.Strong.Sob.Sob (Like 3155) Amazing stato ] [Its really funny to see him struggle so fucking hard with aegyo He really cant do it and only does it because hes told toHis image is so refreshing When he said hed do anything if the fans liked it, I screamed. Yes my face is burning but its good to live hard!!] Ding! [Am I the only one whos embarrassed?] Im the one on the spotlight so why would you be I murmured quietly as I held my head. Kang Ichae, who had casually exposed my embarrassing moment, sat downughing as if he was enjoying it. I angrily gave him a honey punch. Calm down. We have a fansigning event tomorrow anyway, so its good. Whats so good? Just think of it as practicing aegyo in advance Kang Ichae squinted his eyes as if it was none of his business. A quest appeared as I pushed the traitor away with my foot. [Quest Arrival! Make memories with fans at the fansign! A surprise gift from the system for the sulking Seo Hoyun. Sess: 2,000 points awarded. Failure: Share on SNS with the reputation of A Real Fish Market Rock] Until recently, The Dawn had only a handful of fans, yet they still held a fansign during their first album release. Fansigns. An opportunity to meet and talk to idols who were only seen through videos. It was a shitty random drawing event where you had to spend tens of thousands of won to even have a chance of winning, just to talk for a few seconds or minutes, depending on the number of members. How was itst time? Kang Ichae, who had clearly wronged me, eagerly approached. Are you talking about our fansigning during Glow? Like fansign cuts, things like that? Jeong Dajun raised both of his hands and jumped up. Me! Okay, Dajun. You only need to raise one hand. Thepany didnt tell me anything! It was the only thing Daepaseong Entertainment did right. It must have been Jeong Dajuns innocent smile that made it up to my terribly contrasting personality. Lets practice once. Feeling excited, Kang Ichae sat in front of me and screamed with both hands covering his mouth. Youre so, so handsome, Hoyun! Even using informalnguage. Can you be a bit more cooperative? Lets try again. This didnt feel like something I could just answer vaguely and get it over with. When I raised my eyebrows, Jeong Dajun jumped in. Let me try. I ate tuna kimbap today! Oh, really? Good job? Everyone was silent. Even Kim Seonghyeon, who was nonchntly sipping water at the corner, looked at me as if he couldnt believe my attitude. Kang Ichae coughed a few times before asking brightly again. Hoyun! When is your nexteback?! I think itll depend on how the songs turn out, wouldnt it? What should we do? Everyone mumbled with a nervous look. I answered this question sincerely, but the reaction was still not good. ording to the members, what was important was not the serious TMI, but the appropriate response and a bnce of push and pull. Well, I think I knew it theoretically Feeling awkward, I looked away but Seong Jiwon suddenly stood up. Wait a minute. He then grabbed an employee passing by in front of the practice room. Jihyeon, Im sorry, but please help Hoyune to his senses. Yes, what?? It was the stand Lee Jihyeon who had been caught by surprise. After listening to the whole story, Jihyeon scratched her cheek ufortably. So, you want me to talk about my ideal fansigning event But its difficult. Ive been out of the fandom for a while now Now Im more into 2D[2] Thats fine. Just get Hoyun to snap out of it. Um Oh, really? is a bit too much. Okay, got it. And so, Lee Jihyeons fansigning experience began. Starting with a fansigning event from N years ago, Jihyeon suddenly began talking and elerated five minutester. No,e to think of it, its infuriating! Huh?? Whats so hard about doing that for real that she had to roll her eyes like shes at a fish market, that girl? Do you know what she said at the fansign event? She wants to live a normal life now. If that crazy bitch wants to live like a god, she shouldnt have such a normal bank ount?! It was an emergency. As cold sweat poured down from seeing the rampaging Lee Jihyeon, the members gaze focused on me. You saw it, right? Lets do well. Yes *** After suddenly receiving an emergency education (also called brainwashing) from the members, Seo Hoyun entered the fansign event with some confidence. Everyone screamed at him for taking off his usual dark outfit and putting on a blue jacket that matched this concept. However, for Seo Hoyun, it was an emergency from the start. Hoyun! Do you have a favorite animal? Like a rabbit? Yes? Blinking at the sudden question, he answered. It didnt matter what kind of animal he liked, but he felt like he should pick one to like, so he hid his heart that didnt care at all about such things and answered. I like cats. Think again. From within there. A rabbit? Of course!! Of course? Seeing the fan pass by with a happy face and clenched fists, Seo Hoyun was very flustered. And btedly, he had a thought. Wait, could it be And then, a post like this went up on SNS. [Guys, Hoyun prefers being called a rabbit. Its official, so if you disagree, show me your photocards.] [Where did the cat faction go?] [Seo Hoyun looks like a freaking cold handsome guy, but Fans keeps calling him a rabbit, so he starts to look like one. Just like how when you keep calling someone your husband, eventually people think, Ah thats that persons husband. Ah Seo Hoyun was a rabbit.] It was maniption and fabrication. He had seen reactions like Seo Hoyun, rabbit, genius idol before, but never thought that he, the top personality and evil PD, would be called a rabbit. Shocked, Seo Hoyun greeted the next fan. I heard you like sweet things but you also like Soruinun at the same time. Thats correct. How did you know? As he opened the album and signed it while having a conversation, the fan hesitated for a moment and then spoke up. It was a story that Kim Seonghyeon, who was before Seo Hoyun in the line up, had told the fan. While Seo Hoyun struggled with the headband falling off as he constantly bowed to sign and sincerely responded to the fans questions, the members (especially Kang Ichae) were jumping around like fishes in water. [Ichae remembers me.. Everything from my name, major, where I live, and what we talked about back then. He said well see each other more often Jeong Dajun is also happily bouncing around next to him as always.] [I just showed Kim Seonghyeon our marriage certificate and he really tried to sign it calmly, but I stopped him ;; I had a conscience, right? Wow, you really had patience. I squeezed some strength into my brain.] [Jiwon says hes happy these days. Hes thankful Be happy forever you bastard ] [Ah, life is good these days. Shining Star was so annoying because it was so spicy, but when we actually look at the kids personalities, theyre so soft and squishy.] As they gobbled up the breadcrumbs poured down in a flurry, Kang Ichae smiled and sent off the fans who had just finished signing. Take care, noona~! Just finish with a good mood after seeing Hoyun-hyungs aegyo! Hahaha! I will! Seo Hoyun, who was next in line after Kang Ichae, had no choice but to work hard at showing different aegyo every time, as Ichae constantly teased him. After finishing the fansign event with their faces shining, the exhausted members all left. Seo Hoyun, who had been happy to meet the fans but also hit by a sudden reality check, stuck to the corner of the van on their way back to the dorm and washed his face. *** Good job~! Where should we put the gifts? It would be nice if there was one more room. Right? With dark circles under our eyes and our spirits half-gone, we returned to the dorm and, as if it was natural, each sucked on Seong Jiwons red ginseng juice. Kang Ichaeughed as if he wasnt tired at all. I was worried, but it turned out fine~. Leave it, Seo Hoyuns out of it right now. Thank you Aside from my mental state, the fansign event seemed to have gone well, but when it ended and we returned, my fingers were too tired to move, and I melted into the sofa, my body sprawled out. Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun seemed to be trying to sneak into their rooms. They probably didnt want to get caught in the crossfire but then Kang Ichae suddenly blocked their way. Hyung, Im going to the convenience store, what should I get? Damn. Cant you at least be half as nice to us as you are to the fans? Youre asking for a lot, you aplice. Aigo, youre such a bastard~! Kang Ichae spat out nonsense and dragged Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun along to buy ice cream. There was no need to watch anymore since we had already monitored the event in the car on the way back. Looking at themunity and SNS reactions, it seemed not bad. Thankfully, they seemed satisfied. I was now lying t on the sofa, lost in thought. But no matter how much I think about it I dont understand. They waited in line, spending money to buy dozens of albums and barely winning a spot at the fansign event, then even bought gifts, and still tried to only say nice things. After all that bbering is there any value in liking me? As for the other members, they were on the rise and performing welltely I absentmindedly organized my thoughts, and my gaze naturally went towards the music show trophy in the living room. The manager said he would take it to thepany soon. The reactions to our first-ce promise werent bad either. A good song, first-ever first-ce win, decent music sales, and good variety show reactions. Everything was going smoothly, as if the wind was in our sails. Ive got all the conditions. Ding! [Whats our bunny thinking about? . Bunny versus cat, pick one ] This brat, someday Im really going to hit him I took a deep breath and turned my gaze to Kim Seonghyeon. But why arent the kidsing back? Well, I dont know? Kim Seonghyeon awkwardly averted my eyes and stammered. I got up from the sofa, scratching my head and about to change clothes. I needed to hurry to thepany to discuss the settlement with the CEO Seo, Seo Hoyun! Euk! Kim Seonghyeon, who had been fiddling with his phone from afar, suddenly rushed over and threw a nket draped over the sofa at me, then rolled me up like a sushi roll. The nket was a heavy winter one that I had put out to wash. ?? Arent you tired? Wanna be a kimbap? Its warm and cozy! What Why was he suddenly acting like this? He even covered my face so I couldnt see ahead. Kim Seonghyeon raised his voice, blocking my hands so I couldnt remove the nket. Its so cold!! Its summer, you lunatic. Get out. Before I swear. Feeling my ominous tone, Kim Seonghyeon flinched. Normally (although he wouldnt have done this in the first ce), he would have apologized and stopped quickly, but he was both flustered and persistent. Even without seeing, I could sense Kim Seonghyeons confusion. Seizing the moment when his grip slightly weakened, I snatched the nket away and red at him. Kim Seonghyeon. There must be a reason for suddenly mentioning kimbap? When I narrowed my eyes and pressured him, Kim Seonghyeon, who had zero talent in acting, just rolled his eyes with a perplexed expression. This brat definitely had something. You did something wrong. No I didnt. What did you mean you didnt? Youre acting like a guilty puppy. Spit it out. Nothing? Butwhat if I try speaking gently and kindly like I usually do? What? I was about to seriously ask him what he had eaten when suddenly, I saw his phone on the other side of the room. The phone fixed on a tripod looked suspicious. ? Why is that there and What does kimbap have to do with Bang! Thats when it happened. The front door opened, and a paper firecracker burst. Wow~!! Congrattions on your first ce~! Youve sessfully finished your Ocean Train music promotions Uh !! Jeong Dajun came in with a big smile and a huge cake. It looked like a cake to celebrate our first ce since there was a 1 on it. Kim Seonghyeon and I were awkwardly standing still around the sofa. Our posture looked suspicious to anyone. The icy atmosphere, our strange behavior, the messy hair, and the sweat on my forehead. It all gave the impression that something had happened. Kimbap? Jeong Dajun mumbled nkly, then his eyes widened. Did you two fight over kimbap?! Hello~, congrats Huh. Congrats, congrats Huh? Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae, who entered the roomte, also stopped talking and closed their mouths. Wearing silly cone hats and quirky sses, the other members who had burst in with firecrackers froze in ce, apparently misunderstanding something. You guys fought because of food? Why on earth did the conclusion go in that direction? We didnt fight No, anyway. They seemed to get the gist of it, but why me I was the target of the surprise, wasnt I? Why was it me who seemed the least likely to be entertained by it? No, no, pushing all that aside. My head hurt, so I supported my forehead with my hand. Was it recorded? If it was recorded, at least there was some chance of saving the situation. They could edit it somehow But all the members averted their eyes. Uh V-Live Live broadcast? Everyone nodded their heads gloomily. With me as the target? Im screwed The manager who came inte, not understanding the situation, entered the room with a joyful expression and set off a party popper. Surprise~! Pop! The confetti fluttered and hung humorously on the members heads. An icy silence filled the room. [1] is an inte ng and a contraction of , which can be tranted as heart pounding or heart racing. [2] Me too ^^ Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, Voo, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Also, join our Six-Chapter Tsunami, where every $20 of donations pooled into our fund triggers the release of a brand new tranted chapter from each of our six fantastic novels! 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! Chapter 63 Chapter 63 This chapter is generously sponsored by Soah. [Title: Todays Failed Surprise! After finishing the fansign event, The Dawn held a sudden V-live (Kang Ichae: Todays surprise guest is~ none other than Hoyun-hyung! Seong Jiwon: Ahaha, Im looking forward to his surprised reaction since hes usually the calmest one) They had no idea what the future held They even set up a camera in the living room to focus on Seo Hoyuns reaction (Seo Hoyun: You guys are expecting a lot from a mere stand-in criminal Kang Ichae: Youre the one whos going to kill him~) Theyre always like this, so freaking cute Hoyun is still holding a grudge against Ichae for exposing his aegyo, but then Hoyun tries to change his clothes. Wow, this guy only half-unbuttoned his shirt, but his abs and muscles were there I couldnt help but swear (Ill hold back) (Kim Seonghyeon: Ahhhhhhhhh~ (making kimbap)) The best excuse! The leader strives with all his might! (Seo Hoyun: You did something wrong. Kim Seonghyeon: (Feeling wronged) No I didnt Seo Hoyun: Spit it out) Hoyun was about to scream in earnest, this guys sense of humor is no joke But then, they suddenly find the camera! (Seo Hoyun: ??) The members enter with innocent expressions! (Jeong Dajun: Did you two fight over kimbap?!) A chaotic ending due to misunderstanding! (Seo Hoyun: Was it recorded? Members: (Nodding) Seo Hoyun: Live broadcast? Members: (Nodding)) Hoyuns expression at this moment The ultimate highlight (Manager: Surprise~!) Unending innocence and deadly silence Hoyun sighs, turns off the V-live, andes back The V-live title after that: >>>We apologize to you, dear fans. <<< I never thought Id see such a title in the V-live Are they controversial YouTubers or something (Seo Hoyun: Now, apologize to the fans) The members all bow their heads (Seo Hoyun: Apologize to me too. Members: Were sorry!) ~Surprise Fail~ Why do they always film hidden camera pranks Theyre so harmless when they y Hoyuns real-life speech is showing in the midst of this Are they really close friends? The manager shouting Surprise~! without noticing is so funny I almost threw up But they dont seem to feel sorry at all, especially Jeong Dajun. Jeong Dajun tries to sneak some cake onto Hoyuns nose, but when Hoyun res at him, he quickly crouches down How can our golden retriever be so cute] I almost caused a huge mess. Cold sweat dripped down my back. If I had let slip what I was thinking, I would have been scolded. If I had called Kim Seonghyeon a bastard, I would have been cursed at, and if I had said, Why do fans like me?, I would have been used of ying the pity card and garnering all sorts of negative attention After barely fixing things up, we ended the V-live, and I smacked each of the other members once. Ouch! It hurts! Sorry ? I let Kim Seonghyeon off the hook. Feeling wronged, Kang Ichae jumped up and pointed at me. What! Why are you letting Seonghyeon-hyung off? He at least had some human decency. True, I did my best. It was because he had covered me with a nket. Looking back, Kim Seonghyeon was just as pale as me. They must have been dragged into it by the younger members. Phew, I need to go to thepany for a bit. Are you going to kick us out? Stay quiet before I change my mind. Leaving a frustrated Jeong Dajun behind, I went down to the dormitory parking lot, thinking about the manager who had sneakily escaped earlier. If he had already left, I would have had to take a taxi to thepany, but fortunately, the manager was still in front of the van, having just finished a call. Manager, can we go to thepany? Uh, yes Lets go together. What are you up to? After putting on the seatbelt and looking forward, the manager kept ncing at me anxiously. Why, whats up? I get so nervous every time Hoyun says hes going to thepany. Have I ever caused any trouble or idents? After saying that, I hesitated for a moment. Have I? Hoyun! This time, please! Lets get through this quietly! The managers nagging went on and on, but we arrived at thepany in no time since it was close to our dormitory. As the manager said, I headed straight to the CEOs office quietly, but as I approached the door, I bumped into someone leaving the room. Uh It was Min Jiheon. Hello. Min Jiheon was silent for a while, then rubbed the back of his neck. Wow, I got confused for a moment. About what? I couldnt help but stare at Min Jiheon. He gave a faint smile and asked. You came up, huh? Yes, well. Once again, I had a bad vibe about this person. However, this was thepany, and it wouldnt do any good to show my feelings, so I gave a nonmittal response. Seeing his uninterested face, it seemed like he didnt have any business either. But against my expectation, Min Jiheon muttered, I told you to contact me if youe to Seoul I dont even have your contact information Im sorry. If its urgent, you can contact me through thepany. Ah, thats a bit of a hassle Whats with this person? Min Jiheon, who had been sizing me up, obediently stepped aside. Eh, never mind. It doesnt seem that urgent now Go ahead. Hello to you too, Manager. Min Jiheon! Hello! Yes. Min Jiheon, who still looked clueless, replied with a deted tone and walked away. No matter how you look at it, it feels uneasy Anyway, as we were about to move on, my manager made a fuss. Are you close with Min Jiheon? Not at all. But Jiheon speaks so casually with you? I shrugged my shoulders as if I didnt know anything, and the manager tilted his head. It seemed that the manager was confused because he had seen a side of Jiheon that he was not familiar with. Well, I had more important things to deal with. I needed to resolve the settlement issue before the members teamwork waspletely torn apart because of resentment. Now, how should I cook this up? I knocked twice on the CEOs office door and opened it. The CEO, whom I hadnt seen in a while, had a radiant face as if he was enjoying a good life with the money they had earned. Oh, isnt this our Hoyun! Hahaha. Hello, CEO. Since when did I be your Hoyun? I approached him with a business smile. It seems like a special day, with Jiheon first and now Hoyun. Min Jiheon came and left. Yeah, I called him over to talk. I dont know what hes thinking since hes always so clueless. The manager ced the trophy he had brought on the table. Well, well be getting a few more of these in the future. Still, I have to see it in person once. Well disy one in our CEOs office. Who knew our The Dawn would grow this big and do so well. Did you raise us? While inwardly raising my middle finger, I outwardly yed along andughed. Our recent achievements have been quite good, right? Both in terms of music and variety shows. As far as I know, were still in discussion for amercial deal. Of course. We really hit the jackpot this time. So, about that. As I leaned forward to bring up the main topic, my manager visibly tensed up. But before he could speak, the CEO raised his hand. Hoyun, I know what youre thinking. Huh? Theres only one reason you would suddenlye to see me like this. You want to change the contracts, right? But we already revised yours Ah. I let out a sly smile. Youre half right and half wrong. Huh? Its not my contract, but the members contracts. This had been on my mind for a while. Contracts couldnt be changed just by whining about it. My case was special. Back then, I brought a song from Blue Tiger and temporarily raised our recognition through the media, but the members hadnt shown much. However, with our Shining Star victory and first-ce achievement, it was now a story worth considering. If the teamwork started to crumble now that we were just taking off, it wouldnt be good for the CEO either. It wasnt a bad idea to bring it up, considering the timing. Please change the members contracts to match mine. The CEO, slightly surprised, took a sip of tea before replying. I didnt think you were that kind of person, but when did you grow so attached to your members? Hmm. Or is it not about being attached, but are you worried about being corneredter because your contract conditions are different? They were spot on. As much as it was true, it felt shitty to hear it from someone elses mouth, so I justughed. You dont have to be curious about my intentions. Just change the contracts. Seeming to understand the meaning, the CEOs eyebrows twitched slightly. Well, thats true. Anyway I was nning to bring it up myself. Its easier if your conditions are the same. Whats going on? Was he actually doing his job? The CEO wasnt just a figurehead; he noticed this much. It seemed to be going smoothly, but I couldnt let myguard down until the contracts werepletely changed. Thank you. Next time we revise the contracts, lets go over them with all the members. Yes, please. It felt almost too easy, which made me feel uneasy. At times like this, something would always blow up. Sure enough, the CEO asked slyly, Hoyun, by the way Yes? People should seize opportunities when theye. It seems to me that you have lots of opportunities. You have good visuals, vocal skills, and high recognition Ive received various contacts for you. These were nice words, but why did they sound so unpleasant when the CEO said them? As I closed my mouth with a get to the point look, the CEO cleared his throat. Do you happen to I dont. I havent finished talking yet. I dont n on acting. Fine, justy it on the line. He backed off after I sharply cut him off. Anyway, why dont you want to? Its an opportunity to raise your recognition a lot Its time to focus on group activities now. No, think about it again. We used to be an actor managementpany, right? If we put our minds to it, we can push Min Jiheon to the side. Dont lie That fierce Min Jiheon from earlier was already a national actor. In terms of dramas, even the cold and objective Jeong Dajun praised his acting. Hes a textbook example of a trustworthy actor. Although his strong personality is a w. I probably dont have talent like Min Jiheon-sunbae. Thats a shame Ill postpone it to next time. When an idols activities, which have just begun, were going well, theres no way not to attract attention if a recently debuted idol tried to stand out with individual activities. These would be the clickbait titles. [Seo Hoyun wants to act, but his acting is terrible.] [If youre going to do this, just say you wanted to be an actor from the beginning~] [Yep~ His expression was sour because he didnt want to be an idol] Its all too usible. When I imagined it, I saw my poor acting skills being uploaded on YouTube andmunity sites. Hmm Its a pity, such a pity. The CEOs face showed great disappointment, but he reluctantly agreed and moved on since I strongly refused. That was the only good thing about thispany. Leaving me to handle things on my own. The downside? Everything else. Lee Jihyeon was somewhat of a gem, though. Shes so sharp and intelligent that I wanted to keep her around Ill be going. I bowed and got up. But why suddenly bring up acting? He doesnt even know about my hidden trait. Its strange. No matter how I think about it. Doesnt Seong Jiwon objectively fit better? Especially in terms of appearance, Seong Jiwon seems to suit acting better with his good looks, innocence, and ability to change his expression ording to the role. I tilted my head but missed the timing to ask. Ah, Im going to talk to Kim about this. Yes. As expected Hed pretend to respect my decision in front of me and then send the manager to persuade me behind my back. Well, thats the managers job to handle. Ignoring the managers desperate SOS signal, I left. As I walked down the hallway after leaving the CEOs office, I ran into an unexpected person. It was Min Jiheon, tapping his phone. Ah Noticing me, Min Jiheon stuffed his phone into his pocket and asked, You came out faster than I thought? As if he had been waiting for me. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, Soah, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! 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! Chapter 64 Chapter 64 This chapter is generously sponsored by Soah. Do you still have someone to see? No, um I was just going to leave, but Im a little curious. About what? However, contrary to his words, Min Jiheon yawned as if he was not interested and rubbed his eyes. I was about to ask what he was curious about when an icy feeling came over me again. Uh-huh! Lets not ask. I turned my head and tried to move on. If his dialogue window doesnt even pop up, hes definitely not helpful in progressing the scenario. Well then, Ill be going. Arent you going to act, Seo Hoyun? ? But then Min Jiheon asked me as I was trying to pass by without any problem. The CEO must have asked you. If you want to act. How do you know that? Oh, I mentioned it. How about letting Seo Hoyun try acting? You, Min Jiheon-sunbae? I didnt expect this development. With a trembling face, Min Jiheon looked at me up and down. Actually, the sequel to the Please Serve the Cider I filmedst time ising out. Its called Please Take the Camera The writer really liked Seo Hoyun after watching Shining Star. He said that youd fit the image of the next character very well. Suddenly, the back of my head felt heavy. So, it was you who made the CEO suddenly ask me! You breathed into the CEOs ear?! Yu Jia also said that Seo Hoyun would be good. Min Jiheon continued to speak, regardless of whether he knew my displeasure or not. So, what did you answer? I said I wouldnt do it. Really? Thats such a shame? A shame? At this point, I was getting suspicious, so I asked nervously. Do I have an incredible talent? So much that Min Jiheon would ask? Uh? Did he really need to approach me like this? I was actually being sarcastic, but Min Jiheonughed as if he took it seriously. Ahahaha, I dont know! ? Whats going on? Ignoring my confusion, Min Jiheon hummed and babbled on. I dont really know by looking at faces. There are people among the other stakeholders who know right away. I think its really divine inspiration? What the heck was this guy? Anyway, Ill tell the writer that you cant do it. Min Jiheon, who didnt seem like the person who stirred up the CEO, calmly epted my refusal and soon received a phone call from the manager. He quickly made a nd face and said, Yes, yes, trailing off. As soon as he hung up, he looked at me and waved his hand. Goodbye~! Stay healthy in the meantime! ?? Suddenly, the atmosphere became festive. He acted as if he was saying hisst goodbye to someone he wouldnt see again, so I opened my mouth in astonishment as Min Jiheon turned around and walked slowly away. Whats really up with that guy? I called up the system window. Hey, show me Min Jiheons stats. But there was no answer. Hey? Only after Min Jiheon had been gone for a while did the system window pop up. [Yes?] I called you earlier. [I didnt hear it~.] The system window pretended not to hear me and then disappeared. I raised my eyebrows at that. This is new? The system window Now it even lied right in front of my eyes. *** Hyung,e here! I thought I would finally have some rtively free time after finishing all the music show schedules, but Kang Ichae suddenly became enthusiastic. What is it? Were going on Victory is Mine. We need to practice quickly, so write down your desired events. Ah, right. This program, held every year at the end of May, was always popr. The fact that it was still held every year despite idols getting hurt and causing chaos showed its poprity. What events are there? Running, archery, wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics, and esports! Esports? I was familiar with the other events, but e-sports was new. Kang Ichae shook his game console excitedly. There are even more events within e-sports! I have to win first ce in this for my pride. Whats the prize for first ce? Honor? Glory? Korean beef! Jeong Dajun seemed to be burning with passion for the prize. Are you working this hard just to eat Korean beef now? What are you talking about? This is our pride! Dont hang your pride just anywhere. Mens pride is cheap, after all. Kang Ichae insisted that he must win first ce no matter what, with another nonsense reason. We can join up with another team, but first, I need to check your skills. I roughly know Jeong Dajuns abilities. Ah, hyung! I can do well, you know? Whats up? Wiping his towel, Seong Jiwon showed interest, and Kim Seonghyeon, who hadnt had anything to do for a long time, quietly approached and joined the conversation. Esports? Do you guys y games? I was the only one feeling down among them. Lying t on the sofa without any enthusiasm, I responded. Your hyung doesnt do esports. I want to do something else. Ah, hyung~! Just try it once. We have exactly five people, right? Ill let you choose your favorite role!! So whether I choose or not I really dont y games. I have a feeling that youll be good at this game with this cold demeanor! Good judgement! Mental strength! I bet Hoyun-hyung will be good at gaming! Kang Ichaes eyes boiled with the same passion as practice bug Seong Jiwon, who would usually shout for practice. Its surprising to see this usually indifferent guy get this heated, but Its annoying Really annoying Are you not even trying to hide your true feelings anymore? Kang Ichae looked at me with dissatisfaction and shook his head vigorously while trying to persuade me. Hyung, hyung, just once! I tried to ignore Kang Ichaes whining by putting on earphones, but suddenly, a system window appeared after a long time. Ding! [Victory is Mine is indeed the flower of a multi-entertainer! Win the 1st ce in the Victory is Mine event 3 times. (Acknowledging 1st ce wins from group members as well.) Sess: 3,000 points. Failure: You will do more embarrassing things.] What more embarrassing things can there be? [] What? Why was it suddenlyughing? I looked at the system window with a slightly ufortable feeling. [There are many dialogue scenes.] What? [New idols bold behavior in front of the camera Whoever sees it, Real legendary dark history (see more)] Seeing the list of dialogue scenesid out by the system window, I clenched my teeth and got up abruptly. Hey, lets go to a PC room. Eh! Really? Kang Ichae was happy, not knowing the hidden intention behind my decision. I wonder if these kids knew the feeling I had to hide while showing them this side of me Dajun, sometimes hyungs life is hard What are you talking about? I stroked Jeong Dajuns head out of habit. He looked at me incredulously, but he didnt avoid my hand. *** One hour since we entered the PC room. Am I dead? Yes. Did I do something wrong? No, hyung is just not suited for this role, I guess. Shall we try support? At first, Kang Ichae was gentle. Hyung, why did you use sh there? Am I not supposed to? Two hours passed, and he started grinding his teeth. Why is your mana full right now?! Am I not supposed to save it? How can you have such creative thoughts? Three hours since we entered the PC room. Hoyun-hyung. Looking at me dying by being hit by the enemys turret, Kang Ichae quietly put down his headphones. Hyung. I learned an important lesson this time. What is it? Dont have prejudice against people. Are you insulting me? You catch on quickly. He must be disappointed because he thought I would be good at the game, but I wasnt I red at Kang Ichae and sighed. I understood what he was saying, but my hands couldnt keep up. I was full of those ah moments after messing up. Of course, every time that happened, Kang Ichae gradually lost his words. Hyung, go next to Seonghyeon-hyung and eat some ramen. In the end, Kang Ichaepletely lost interest in me. Its been so long since Ive been treated so coldly that I got a little sulky. Hey, how good are you to? Kang Ichae quietly raised his hand to the monitor. Hyung, just look at this once and then say it. What is this? I asked, feeling deted as I stood up from my chair. No, its fine. Itd be great if Kang Ichae did well. If they get first ce, thats good for me. Giving up easily, I started wandering around and observing the others. Kim Seonghyeon, who had dropped out long ago, asked me with a raised eyebrow, having received harsh criticism earlier. Seo Hoyun, want to order some ramen? Dont order Kang Ichaes. Of course, why would I? Seonghyeon and I badmouthed Kang Ichae, but it didnt get us anywhere. We slurped up our ramen and started watching more intently. What about Jeong Dajun? Next was Jeong Dajun. Dajun is alright. Yeah! Dajun cheered and clenched his fist. Seong Jiwon. The only one left was Seong Jiwon. His skills were probably about the same as mine. I waved at him, thinking he would be eliminated without even watching. Seong Jiwon,e and eat ramen quickly. Its getting cold. No, wait a minute, guys. Please dont bother Jiwon. Eh? But Kang Ichae couldnt take his eyes off Jiwons screen. Hyung, how long have you been ying this game? Umm not that long. Wow, whats? Next to them, Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae were getting excited. Seong Jiwon dived into the enemy tower, hit the opponent with three ghostly skills in a row, and set the opponent on fire with a chat. [You fucking bitch] Somehow, Seong Jiwon figured out they were cursing at him and said innocently, Wow, they are cursing at me. Mute them. Whats mute? As Seong Jiwon followed Kang Ichaes instructions to mute the other team, his brow furrowed slightly, and he quickly turned his hand with the mouse. At that moment, he dodged a grab flying from the bushes and killed the opposing team. [Practice guy is going crazy!] [Practice guy Double Kill!] What the! Amazing [Oh;;;] [Well, fucking practice] Even their teammates started praising them. A rare sight in Korea: someone ying a game and hearing kind words. Kang Ichae peeked at Seong Jiwon. Hyung, about the cursing earlier Huh? You dont care? Ahaha, I get cursed at all the time. An idol indeed! Sensibility and mentality? Kang Ichae, who was always serious about games, looked at Jiwons screen with a moved expression. Following that, Jiwon wrapped up the team fight safely. [Practice guy Double Kill!] [Practice guy Triple Kill!] [No one can stop Practice guy!] [Victory] When the tower was destroyed, and they returned to the main screen, medals were awarded in a flurry. It was the MVP given by the people who yed together. Wow! I guess I did well. No? Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun were silent. Then they nodded simultaneously. Dajun grabbed Jiwons right shoulder, while Ichae grabbed his left. Hyung, what do you want to do? Huh? Choose anyne. Ill push all of them for you. I can support, and you can be the attacker. Kang Ichae was as serious as an Olympic athlete preparing for apetition. Jiwon was still puzzled about the situation, but Dajun and Ichae grinned. I saw Seonghyeon, and we have to give up on him. Yeah. Hoyun is worse than Seonghyeon. Its over for him. Why am I done for? I expressed my displeasure, but it didnt reach the two of them, who seemed to be wearing some protective gear. Lets do this. Well bring Jiwon, one from Nightmare, and one more from Refined. Then well have five good people. How were the people you brought? Not bad. We can win with that level. We just have to train hard with Jiwon for the remaining time. Kang Ichae clenched his fist, full of enthusiasm. Well win this match. Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun sang I Thought of You and the Championship~ with Seong Jiwon in the middle. It was a surprisingly life-or-death atmosphere for such cheap pride. While they were busy creating a new narrative, Kim Seonghyeon and I were peacefully eating ramen with rice. What are we going to do? Lets do archery or something. Then Ill do athletics. If they just get 1st ce, I just have to sit back and enjoy the rewards. It couldnt have been more peaceful. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, Soah, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 65 Chapter 65 This chapter is generously sponsored by Soah. Ah, Hoyun. Long time no see. Hello. I reattached my name tag that fell off and greeted her. When we arrived at the Victory is Mine auditorium, I went around greeting the members, and just aftering back from a brief trip to the restroom, I ran into PD Kim Heeyeong. Kim Heeyeong, who I hadnt seen in a while, was shining brightly. Wow, the best-looking one! Yeah. Are you the main PD for this? No, Im just here to fill in the staff shortage. This damned old-fashionedpany PD Kim Heeyeong had been taking a break after finishing Shining Star. Well, theres no need for a non-idol to continuously take charge of representative programs like that. It seemed like she had been dragged here as ast-minute recement. Anyway, I heard you won first ce. Im a bitte, but congrattions. Its all thanks to you, PD. I wouldnt have made it to first ce without your warm consideration. Wow, youre really good at saying nice things. PD Kim Heeyeong giggled. Just as I intended to make a heartwarmingment and move on, Kim Heeyeong tilted her head. By the way, whats going on with Joo Woosung? Huh? Did this guy get caught? No, its just that when I came in, the atmosphere here seemed tense whenever people looked at Joo Woosung Although I dont really know why. Ah. So it wasnt that he got caught. Instead of responding with Thats because he lives like a trash, I just nodded quietly, and Kim Heeyeong shrugged. You guys are close. If theres anything, help him out. Thats not the case. It wasnt my ce to worry about others when my ex-girlfriend was right here. I suddenly felt a wave of realization and touched my forehead. Forgetting just one side of my memory is such a pathetic thing. Ill go first. Mm~. I left the thoughtless PD Kim Heeyeong and quickly walked to the members and took my seat. Ha Jeong Dajun, looking at todays schedule, opened his eyes wide and asked. Hyung, why are you suddenly like that? Did someone bother you? No, its just that I had a moment of realization Our innocent members, who seemed as pure as newborn babies, each said something. Who? Wow, was there a fight? Did you already take care of that person? Hey, if its Hoyun-hyung, he would have handled it well. I take back the innocentment. What are you guys babbling about? As they continued to push, a familiar voice came from behind. Seo Hoyun. One of the few people everyone knows, even with his name tag casually stuffed in his pocket, an idol group member, and that groups center, Joo Woosung. Ah, Joo Woosung-sunbae, hello! Ah, hello. ck Call was also participating in Victory is Mine this time, and the members were standing by his side. Woosung nced around the auditorium. His eyes were filled with nostalgia, and then mumbled, I really didnt want toe. I can understand why. You dated most of the people here, after all Woosung sighed and plopped down onto a chair. Why are you here if you didnt want toe, especially since this program doesnt even suit you? Why are you here? To support my junior? Me? Do you think so? My direct junior is over there, High-Five. Woosung gestured toward the other side. I knew about the direct junior group of ck Call, but Woosung didnt seem to show any interest in supporting them. Strange. Theres no way all of ck Call woulde out just to support their junior However, I soon arrived at the conclusion. Ah. Hes being bullied. It seems like he heard that if ck Call didnt appear, the junior group wouldnt be able to appear on music shows. It was a tactic that broadcastingpanies often used. Despite being cornered by the broadcastingpany toe all the way to a ce where you would face your ex-girlfriends every three seconds! I decided to reevaluate Woosungs mentality, but he made a disgusted face. Whats with you, looking me up and down like that?? He shrugged his shoulders and ignored me, turning his head. Behind Woosung, the ck Call members waiting for their chance to talk had curious expressions. Hello. Can it be that youre the one! The one who fixed our Woosung-hyungs messed-up mentality? Hey! What are you talking about? Yes, thats right. As I greeted and bypassed Woosung, the leader of ck Call stepped forward, repeatedly shook my hand, and thanked me. I didnt even know what kind of conversation was going on. Still, the fans watching were excited to see the close rtionship between the senior and junior groups, cheering and making a fuss. Thank you so much, ha Ive been worrying about when this kid would grow up, but after meeting someone like Seo Hoyun, hes changed to the point where I can say, Our child has changed. How did you do that magic? I didnt do anything. Youve suffered a lot all this time. Oh, even the virtue of consideration! You really have everything. Joo Woosung was sulking, but the ck Call leader just smiled contentedly. That group mustve also worried about having a yboy in their midst. This is Jeong Dajun, our youngest member. Ah, Ive seen you a lot on TV. Hello, sunbae-nim! ck Call and our group were assigned seats close to each other, so we chatted away. In the meantime, thepetition had already begun. [Wee to the 14th Victory is Mine!] Has it really been 14 years now? Seems like it. The opening ceremony proceeded quickly. In keeping with the concept, the national anthem was yed. The fans had faces that read, Why here, of all ces? But they still begrudgingly stood up, thinking, We cant let our kids look bad. After the brief opening ceremony, the events began one by one. The first event was athletics. Each idol group sent out one representative. Our teams representative was Kim Seonghyeon, fighting! Of course, it was the physically outstanding Kim Seonghyeon. As he stretched here and there, ck Calls vocalist also came out. I put my arm around Seonghyeons neck, lowered myself, and spoke urgently. Seonghyeon. Geez, what? Please, please, pleasee in first. If not, another embarrassing moment will be added to my past. I didnt receive any more damage after thest aegyo incident, but dont I have at least some basic rights as a human being? Seonghyeon furrowed his brows as I desperately pleaded with him. Seo Hoyun, do you want to win first ce? Yes. Alright. Seonghyeons expression became even more determined. I have to return the favor. Hey shit, you I was not usually like this, but I was momentarily moved and looked at Seonghyeon with admiration. Wow, there really was a reason people called him God Seonghyeon Ill be back. Seonghyeon took his ce at the starting line. As the mens 100m preliminaries were announced and the athletes were introduced, Seonghyeons face appeared on the screen, and Noeuls cheers could be heard. Wo! Kim Seonghyeon! Kim Seonghyeon! Seonghyeon is really popr. Hearing Seong Jiwons pleased murmur, I calmly nodded. Since thest school bullying incident was resolved and the editing of Shining Star went well, Seonghyeons poprity has been quite good, even among other fandoms. Seonghyeonsne was number 5. Thementators naturally started talking about him as the camera focused on him. Wow-! Kim Seonghyeons form is looking pretty good! Seonghyeon was the one who caught that thief on the streetst time, right? The hero! Thats right. Hes so fast that he caught a thief! This is really something to look forward to. Once everyone got into position, the starting signal sounded with a bang. Seonghyeon took the lead right from the start, sprinting with everything he had. Thementators got excited and stood up. Oh, oh, oh! Hes fast! Seonghyeon is fast! Hes going further! Seonghyeon is taking the lead! Oh no! ck Calls Jeongwoo is catching up! But wait, Seonghyeon is pulling further ahead! Seonghyeon is going for it, all the way to the finish line! And he crosses-! Seonghyeon! Seonghyeon is in first ce! Hyung, thats amazing! Seonghyeon sprinted past the finish line and crashed into the sponge wall. ck Calls vocalist also hit the wall right after, and they both got up with augh, patting each other. While they seemed to be at peace, thementators were in an uproar. How can he run so fast? Its incredible! No wonder he could catch a thief! Kim Seong Hyun, the purple light! The Dawn members excitedly danced in celebration. The camera caught us dancing, and I clenched my fists in silence among the members. With the preliminaries going this well, the finals were as good as won. Seonghyeon waved at the camera and Noeul with a bright smile. I sped my hands together and prayed fervently. Hyung, what are you doing? Im praying over the water. Where did you put the water? I left the confused members behind and put all my faith in Seonghyeon. Please, please, my dear child. While waiting for the other participants preliminaries, Seonghyeon went to the fan section to chat briefly before returning with even more energy. Oh, Kim Seonghyeons condition seems even better than before! But this time, it wont be easy. Maz[1] won the gold medal in the mens 100m eventst time. What was Mazs record back then? Its on the all-time record list. Its the third best! A Maz member casually walked out. His record was faster than Seonghyeons earlier time. I was on high alert, even though I wasnt the participant. Seonghyeon bowed to his opponent courteously, and thementators marveled at his gesture. Even in the midst of this, he still bows! Is this what idols are like? No, no, this is a psychological tactic. Hes checking how light and flexible his opponents body is and measuring the angle with the bow. Such deep meaning! Hmm. Thats a long shot. Thementators were spouting nonsense, but that was fine. I still held both hands together, desperately hoping for Kim Seonghyeons victory. Ah~, The Dawn members are cheering so hard. Over there, Seo Hoyun is already sping his hands and praying. Its a tearful disy of teamwork! I almost shed tears myself. Because my life was on the line. The mens 100m final begins now. Everyone took their positions in front of thenes. Kim Seonghyeons face hardened again. At the same time, Bang! The starting signal sounded. Off they go! Kim Seonghyeon bolted out like a beast. It was as if he used some sort of teleportation technique, moving so quickly that the space seemed to fold with every blink. His tall stature and long arms and legs seemed to contribute to his speed, making it even faster than before. Ah! Its neck and neck with Mazs Camel and Park Bing! No way! Mazs Camel is faster. Wait, no, no?! Right now, The Dawns Kim Seonghyeon is catching up! Kim Seonghyeon, Kim Seonghyeon! Shouldnt this guy be an athlete instead of an idol?! Thementators excited voice filled the stadium. Kim Seonghyeon sprinted like a madman until the end. He and Mazs Camel were neck-and-neck until they almost reached the finish line. The race was incredibly close, and Kim Seonghyeon crashed into the sponge wall and copsed. Whos first? Whos first? Seems like its Seonghyeon-hyung? And the winner is-!! The Dawns Kim Seonghyeon! With a record-breakingVictory is Mines best time! Wow! He broke the record!! The entire stadium buzzed. Kim Seonghyeon, gasping for breath on the ground, suddenly stood up and beamed. Then, he checked on the other team members before running toward us. Ah! We raised Kim Seonghyeon well! Hey! I got first ce! Wow, Seonghyeon, youre amazing~. As Seong Jiwon greeted Kim Seonghyeon with bright apuse, I clenched my fist and made a small, victorious gesture. You saw that?! You did great! Of course! I grinned and patted Kim Seonghyeons back enthusiastically. Kim Seonghyeon soon ran towards the fan seats with a flushed, excited face. The fans cheered as they weed him. Look at him, rushing straight to the fans Is this the legendary God Seonghyeon? Your group doesnt have a Kim Seonghyeon, huh? Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun murmured with pride. My face must have shown the same pride, as I didnt even think about teasing them. Ding! [Are you happy?] Dont use informal speech.[2] [Victory is Mine quest 1st ce count: 1/3] Just two more times. Just two more. [1] Apologies, but I decided to change this groups name from Maze to Maz to be more faithful to the phics of the Korean, . [2] For those unfamiliar with the Koreannguage, the system used ? which is informal/banmal. The formal version would be ? which uses the polite form / ending. As far I remember, the system has always been using formal speech, but Ill have to check the raws. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, Soah, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 66 Chapter 66 Thank you for the 1st ce! Ah Its not really something to be thankful for since I earned it myself, right? No, I still want to thank the Noeul members. Idols, huh, idols. Pros~. As Kim Seonghyeons first-ce interview yed on the screen, ck Calls vocalist returned with augh. Wow~, kids these days have such stamina~. Jeongwoo-hyung, youre getting old. Whose fault is it that I aged so quickly. Joo Woosung, who had been stretching his legs,ughed sheepishly. ck Call had a particrly gentle atmosphere. From the start, they didnt seem too eager for first ce. It was the kind ofposure that came with having high recognition even without trying to appear on camera for an extra second, like other groups. Whats next? Rhythmic gymnastics? Yep, and then archery after that. Since none of our members participated in rhythmic gymnastics, we quickly got up during the setup time, went to the waiting room, and got a box directly from our manager. It was a counterattack lunchbox we had been preparing since yesterday. Our fans probably havent eaten either. Exactly. Members usually have their meals prepared by their agency, but our members insisted on using their own money to prepare a modest lunchbox, just like how they treat themselves. As we approached Noeul with the boxes, the fans screamed. We smiled andid down the boxes and greeted them. You must be hungry. Its already 9 oclock. Ya!! You guys must be hungrier! We just grabbed something quick to eat. Seong Jiwon carefully opened the boxes and cautiously handed out the lunchboxes one by one. Although the breakfast was rtively light sandwiches, they were all handmade, so they looked thoughtful. I hope its delicious. The Noeul members almost cursed in awe as they received the lunchboxes. Each lunchbox had a handwritten note from the members. You guys probably dont have enough time to practice. Im sorry its not much. We should give you something better. I tried it earlier, and it was delicious! Did you eat it?! Seong Jiwon covered Jeong Dajuns mouth and bowed his head. Thanks to him,ughter erupted among the Noeul members. We chatted for quite a long time, and then one of the fans voices caught my ear. You dont have to get first ce today. Just dont get hurt! Of course! Jeong Dajun smiled brightly and nodded. As the rhythmic gymnastics event was about to begin, we quickly returned to our seats. An idol group of a simr age to us was performing rhythmic gymnastics, showcasing their ribbon skills. Their dazzling costumes and tension that could be felt all the way to their toes made it obvious that they were grinding their teeth during the performance. So, I also came out here with clenched teeth Jeong Dajun stood and pped for a while before sitting back down. The idol, with a proud expression, checked their score and went backstage. The next event was archery. However, there was a suddenmotion among the staff, and they began to move hastily. Huh? Whats going on? Isnt the next event archery? The announcer quickly checked a note handed over by the staff and managed not to panic, smiling naturally. Next up, everyone, is e-sports! Huh? Ah, it must be because of the time distribution. While setting up for each sport, they constantly squeezed in e-sports preliminaries. However, it seemed that the actual ytime differed from the estimated time, so they moved e-sports forward, even if it meant pushing back archery. As I turned around with a tsk, Kang Ichae, who was participating in thest semi-final match, chuckled. Ah Is it my turn now? With an arrogant tilt of his head, Kang Ichae, who had been obsessed with a strange concept for days, smiled. He swept his hair back, then did a high-five with each member. Even the ck Call members sitting next to him got swept up in the atmosphere and did the high-five. Such an unthreatening guy. The e-sports team consisted of Seong Jiwon, Jeong Dajun, Kang Ichae, and one member each from Refined and Nightmare. Joo Woosung, sipping some juice next to me, asked, Arent you participating? I already failed when our team chose the candidates. What about you, Woosung? Im bad at games from the start. What about Seonghyeon? I thought I was good. Ha, you won the gold medal in the 100m, so its fine. As Kim Seonghyeon spoke with a slightly disappointed tone, Joo Woosung patted his back andughed heartily. At Kim Seonghyeons genuinely happy reaction to the simplepliment, the ck Call members also snickered. The semi-final started with a member from Refined. There wasnt an interview or live broadcast for the previous e-sports rounds since they were only edited for short cuts. The announcer, who had brought each teams information, made a puzzled face. Oh! Whats this about The Dawn team? It seems like The Dawn team is the main team, but what does Nire mean at the end? It stands for Nightmare and Refined.[1] Only three members from The Dawn are participating, and the other two spots are filled by members from the other groups. Sensing that an interesting interview was about to take ce, the announcer approached and asked for the reason. Ichae, The Dawn has five members, so you could have participated just as a team. Why didnt the other members participate? Kang Ichae, with one corner of his mouth raised as if he had been expecting the question, responded. Thats because a member who contributes negatively isnt a member. Wow, thats harsh. As Kim Seonghyeon and I lowered our thumbs and booed, the camera didnt miss the chance to capture us. Yes! Kang Ichae, quick to cut his losses. Well done. Shall we listen to the interviews with other members of Refined and Nightmare? The remaining Refined members red at their teammate who had joined The Dawn with faces twisted in anger. They abandoned their teammates for the sake of victory and went over there. What do you think? The announcer shoved a microphone in the face of a Refined member who had joined The Dawn. He responded with a rxed expression. You know the saying, A white heron should not go where the crows y[2] As the Refined yer responded lightly,ughter broke out from the audience. The Refined fans didnt seem too surprised, as if the members squabbling was a daily urrence. Refined team, The Dawn-Nire Team, please take your seats! Putting a mans pride on the line Battle ON. Alright~! Despite Kang Ichaes game-nerd enthusiasm, Seong Jiwon kindly yed along and continued to smile brightly, waving his hand. Now, lets start the first preliminary match! Thementators stepped back, and the pro-gamer analysts took their seats. Their faces didnt seem to hold much expectation. Ah, the yers are heading toward their towers from each camp. Seong Jiwon the ADC, and Kang Ichae the Support. Are they trying to show off The Dawns teamwork?[3] Kang Ichaes submitted rank is quite high. But Seong Jiwon doesnt have a rank posted? He didnt submit it for ranked matches. Ah The analystughed. It was a dont expect much kind of statement, but the fans who knew Seong Jiwon well didnt have high expectations either, so it didnt matter. However, as the game progressed, the analysts eyes sparkled with excitement. Oh~! The opposing Refined Jungler ising down right now. Its a gank, but unfortunately, their vision is limited on the top side. This might work. Jiwon-hyung. Yeah, I saw it. You saw it? As soon as he said that, Seong Jiwon swiftly moved his mouse. His characters brown hair flew around as he dodged the grabing from the darkness and alternated between basic attacks and skills. Oh, oh, oh! Seong Jiwon dodges and exchanges damage at the same time! Support Kang Ichaees in simultaneously! He gives him some movement speed! Refined members are flustered and retreating! They shouldve boldly engaged here! First Blood! Seong Jiwon gets First Blood![4] Seong Jiwon calmly spoke, without any excitement from getting First Blood. Ichae, shall we dive? Yep. Diving here? Wow, theyre more aggressive than expected![5] Its too risky for the Support to dive; their health is too low! Theyll die quickly! Just before they entered the enemys turret range, Seong Jiwon killed an enemy, leveled up his skill and set it up in the iing area where the Refined members were. Kang Ichae dealt magic damage to the approaching enemies, and their health rapidly decreased. Refined! Refined is going under their turret! The Support is too weak! No, The Dawn is going in! Theyre going in! Tadadadadak! As soon as Seong Jiwon went in, he immediatelynded basic attacks and skills. [The Dawn Seong Jiwon Double Kill!] One enemy died instantly, and a pet lunged at the remaining yer with a sliver of health, killing them. [The Dawn Seong Jiwon Triple Kill!] As the turret started attacking, Kang Ichae cunningly applied healing and movement speed at the perfect moment. They took damage, but both survived unscathed. Wow! What an amazing y! Seong Jiwon gets his first Triple Kill! If Kang Ichae hadnt healed just now, they wouldve gotten a kill there! If his reaction was even 0.5 secondste, it wouldve been over! Actually, even if Kang Ichae had died here, it wouldve been a gain for them! But he survived! Wow, The Dawns teamwork is quite good. This game is turning out to be quite interesting~? Thementators got increasingly excited with the unexpectedly thrilling game. Although they were pros watching an amateur match, they were riding high. Bottomnepletely pushed their line. They havent even used their ultimate yet Want some ice cream? Uh, sure. No such thing (vor). Then anything. While Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae were involved in a virtual life-and-death situation, we were leisurely sucking on ice cream while watching. To begin with, I didnt know much about the game Of course, the excitedmentators didnt care about other peoples reactions. Hyung,e this way. Yeah. It seems like yer Kang Ichae is in charge of overall management, right? Yes! But right now, in the topne, Refineds yer, Yeongjun, quietly got a kill! Theyre pushing the topne too! And here at the bottom! The Dawns bottomne doesnt care about pushing and pulling, they want to finish it quickly! They show strong determination and destroy the turret! Kang Ichae clicked the mouse rapidly. What is yer Kang Ichae doing with the minimap? Did they see everything at once? Gank. Yep! yer Seong Jiwon! Theyre heading to the valley! But, oh no, Refineds yers saw them! Theyre rushing over, but the physical difference is overwhelming! Kill! Kiill! [The Dawn Seong Jiwon is going wild!] yer Seong Jiwon, unbelievable! This is natural sense, a sense! Thementators jumped up. The Dawns fandom was already noisy. Seonghyeon and I sucked on our ice cream and shook the slogans casually. Fighting~. The wholementary team burst intoughter, except for thementators focused on the game. The remaining Dawn members, are they cheering or not~? It seems like theyre saying, Try winning without us, just try it! The Dawn team that swept away the whole fight destroyed the opponents base inhibitors and thest turret in just 20 minutes. Ah~!!! The Dawn team grabs the victory, victory~!! Wow~! In this game, yers Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae really stood out. Despite thementators continuing words, Jeong Dajun threw off his headphones and excitedly ran out. Hyung! Ichae-hyung! Jiwon-hyung~!! Clean up, done. That annoying guy Kang Ichaes downcast head concept remained unchanged amid it all. You were amazing just now! The Dawn-Nire team huddled together, hugging each other and making a big fuss. In contrast to their hot atmosphere, Kim Seonghyeon and I continued to feel chilly. Finals? It keeps making me want to nag. We sat crookedly in our seats, pouting and grumbling. [1] es from thebined initials of two words, (for Nightmare) and (Refined). [2] implies that someone (the white heron, a symbol of purity) should avoid badpany or negative things (the crows, often symbolizing trouble) in order to maintain their reputation and integrity. [3] If youre like me and havent yed League of Legends before, let me break down the roles for you. ADC (Attack Damage Carry) is the main damage healer. Support, well, supports the ADC. A Jungler operates in the jungle (get it?), farming jungle monsters, securing objectives, and ganking/assistingnes to provide strategic advantages for their team. [4] First blood refers to the first kill that urs in an LoL match. [5] Diving refers to a maneuver where one or more yers aggressively engage an enemy under their turret in order to secure a kill or force them out ofne.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! 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! Chapter 67 Chapter 67 This chapter is generously sponsored by mimimi. Of course, the slightly tangled situation was quickly resolved. Anyway, it was good to be in first ce. While the next team was doing their preliminaries, I approached Kang Ichae after he returned to his seat. Kang Ichae, the hyungs only trust you. Hyung, I saw you messing around earlier. Perhaps wanting to escape the subservient position he had been in for a while, Kang Ichae didnt miss the opportunity to act sarcastically. Then, upon watching the ongoing semi-final match of White Cherry, he seemed slightly nervous. White Cherrr-sunbae theyre good. Really? Theyre people who y in the upper ranks. Especially, their leaders management is extraordinary. He muttered seriously, and he then called out to Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun and began to whisper to them. That wont work. We dont have any previous data, so its hard to grasp. No, I just saw Chaeri-sunbae ying, and Okay, okay, whatever you do, do your best. I dont understand even if I hear it anyway. The previously excited Refined team was vigorously shaking the slogan, as if to say, Yeah, even if just one person wins. White Cherry~!! White Cherry advances to the finals! Wow! That was easyeasily crushed it! White Cherry was such a good gaming team! Why havent they shown this skill until now! I want them to create a YouTube channel~!! Next to me, Joo Woosung quietly testified. Figures. They y that game every day when theyre angry. Really? Does it relieve stress? It seems to cause more stress. Joo Woosung, who said, Whether theyre happy, annoyed, angry, sad, in rain or snow, they y that game, clicked his tongue. I could feel an extraordinary energy. I thought first ce was a sure thing, but the variables were bigger than I thought. As soon as White Cherrys match was over, Kang Ichae took a deep breath, rolled his shoulders, and nodded his head as if he had decided. Lets go. Lets do it. Flutter- Waving the slogan on their shoulders, they left with a solemn look. Proud, yet pathetic. Kim Seonghyeon, sitting next to me, expressed the perfect feeling. The majority of White Cherrys ranks are gems, gems! The Dawn team wont back down either. The Dawn-Nire and White Cherry teams greeted each other politely before taking their seats. As expected, they dont lose when ites to greetings! Its a pressure tactic, pressure~! All the members found their seats. White Cherry was over there, but Joo Woosung, seemingly unbothered, poked me. I want some ice cream too. Apparently, you needed this kind of mentality to date a celebrity. I roughly pointed to where the staff handing out ice cream were, and thementators, who were already excited before the match started, were tearing open popcorn. yers Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae have the same picks asst preliminaries! Why the same picks? yer Seong Jiwon probably didnt have enough practice time, so they chose the champion theyre most confident in. Its a shame, its like showing their full power already Ah, White Cherry! Their picks are disappointing too! The Dawn teams picks are counter-champions. Why?? Why would they do that? White Cherry member Han Chaeriughed at thementators words. Ahtheyreughing,ughing! Is it confidence in their physical ability? Unnie, what should we do here? Give it a try? Just like always. Kill them. This might be a bit dangerous The match progressed quickly. The phrase I dont expect much written on thementators faces had long since disappeared. They were shouting excitedly, standing up repeatedly. Ahhh! Theyre applying the stun! They applied the stun! But White Cherry yer Woobin adjusted the angle! Wow, that was so close! But they adjusted it again! This match is neck and neck! Theyre pretty good White Cherrys Woobin, who had taken care of the bottom, muttered. She chose a word that wouldnt cause controversy in front of the camera, but a faint gloominess was felt in her tone. Thementators, not knowing whether they were aware of this or not, were excited. Lets not talk about the bottom side, okay? Oh, the mid, the mid side is being pushed! I believed in the counter-champion, but Nightmare yer Younggun is being pushed! Wow! The skill is dazzling, dazzling! They pulled the yer to this sides turret with a grab! They pull and take a kill! White Cherry Chaeri cannot be stopped! Will they turn it around here? No, no! They aggressively push all the way to the opponents turret! Wow! Theyre unstoppable! Aah, Ichae, Im sorry! Younggun, its okay. Ill cover you. Having given up on the concept, Kang Ichae calmly replied and moved his keyboard skillfully. Then, Jeong Dajun started ganking. 3 vs 2. White Cherrys Woobin, who couldnt escape even after watching, calmly tried to retreat. But Seong Jiwon was faster. Basic attack, skill, basic attack, basic attack, skill! The basic movements are solid, but the innate physical ability is different! This is talent, talent! On the other hand, White Cherry is experienced. They give and receive smoothly. The two bottomne yers pull back without any signal and let the turret approach! You cant make that move unless you have faith in each other! But yer Jeong Dajun! He rolled the snowball, rolled the snowball! And he hit! yer Kang Ichae! He shoots the bow after breaking the wave, ah, it hit! yer Seong Jiwon is diving! Double Kill!! While Kang Ichae swung the wave and teleported, he quickly bought items from the store and checked the mini-map again. Dragon. yer Kang Ichae, so chic! Just one word! Seong Jiwon is running straight ahead! In the meantime, the White Cherry team members who were eating the midne boss monster showed up. White Cherrys leader, Liz, the yer who stood out the most during the preliminary matches! Thementator said seriously. yer Liz didnt back off even when the opposing teams yers came and kept her focus on the dragon until the end. Kang Ichae, who had been frowning slightly, widened his eyes. Wait, this is! Oh no, is Liz going to die here? No, no! yer Liz uses Sauna Clock with only one health bar left! What is that? An invincible item that doesnt receive any attacks. Kim Seonghyeon kindly replied. Lizs character used the item and sessfully blocked all iing attacks. Seong Jiwon checked the mini-map and quickly tried to back off, but the other White Cherry members who came from above had already surrounded them. yer Liz survives using Sauna Clock and retreats! Instant health recovery! Now, Chaeri, who has grown tremendously, rushes in and lifts all four of them! At the same time, Dealer Woobin uses her skill right away! Hits all of them! Amazingbination! White Cherry was A master of team fights. After all, they were inseparable, having spent 24 hours together every day, enduring insults and practicing choreography as a team but thatbination was crazy. Finally, Nightmares Younggun arriveste and just gets hit, yes! Team fight, 5 vs 5! Kang Ichae hits four of them with his ultimate. Four of them! What an absolute art! Kang Ichae is doing great! I clenched my fists in desperation, not knowing exactly what the heck was going on, but still seeing hope. The beautiful melody unfolded, and at that moment, when the entire team was captivated, Seong Jiwon immediately followed up with abo. However, the problem was that Seong Jiwons characters health was too low this time. Jeong Dajun rushes in, but uh, oh, White Cherrys Chaeri hits Jeong Dajun right next to her! Kill! Gets the kill! With only one health bar left, Woobin, who was just released, uses her ultimate! The Dawn team gets wiped out! After that, it was brutal. Shut down! Double kill! Triple kill, no, Pentakill! To see a Pentakill here! Wow! Chaeris movement is insane, insane! The Dawn team really held on well, but the problem was that White Cherrys yers were unbelievably pro! Liz used Eternal Clock to hold on, and Chaeri dodged the stun and fired her ultimate! Todays highlights are bursting, bursting! Thementator went crazy witnessing a scene that was hard to see even in professional matches. After that, White Cherry ate the dragon without recovering their health. By the time the resurrected Dawn team rushed over, it was already over. Hyung, Im sorry! No, its still okay. yer Kang Ichaes mental strength is outstanding! Not giving up even when the end is near! He even supports Seong Jiwon and kills two White Cherry yers! The Dawn Seong Jiwon Double Kill! Seong Jiwon, Seong Jiwon ayeeer! Tadadadadak. Dalkkakdalkkakdalkkak. If you just listen to the sound, its like a professional game. Can there be a twist here? Actually, the situation is simr in terms of destroyed turrets! Ah, but Refined yer gets a kill! The Super Soldiers areing as the inhibitor is destroyed! Its breaking, breaking! In the end, White Cherry pushed in fiercely, and the inhibitor was destroyed. Seong Jiwon tried his best until the end, but it was not enough. White Cherry Win~~~! Ah well. Seong Jiwon let out a bitter smile. White Cherry got up, threw off their headphones, and hugged each other excitedly. They started off leisurely, but the thrill of winning seemed to hit hard as it was a great game. White Cherry takes 1st ce~! Gold medal~! The Dawn-Nire team, unfortunately, finishes 2nd! Wow, it was so much fun! Especially the team fight during this final match, it was a push and pull that wouldnt be seen easily even in professional matches! It was twist after twist after twist! Kang Ichae nkly stared at the monitor, then wiped his face with his palm. It seemed like he was about to start his performance concept again, but he looked genuinely sad. Suddenly, the sincere faces he had shown at the PC room passed by. Hoyun-hyung! If we get 1st ce, shall we go eat some Korean beef? This time, Ill win 1st ce in e-sports and treat hyung! Hyung, why are you so bad? Lets ignore the one in the middle. Anyway, Kang Ichae was confident in promising a beautiful future where they would win 1st ce. Is he crying? I frowned and poked Kim Seonghyeon, but it was such an absurd story that Kim Seonghyeon just burst outughing. Hes never been lucky since he was born. Well, theres no way Kang Ichae would be like that. Sigh. Kang Ichae rubbed his face with his palms a few more times before suddenly standing up. His face was perfectly dry, without a trace of tears. Alright, dont embarrass yourself by crying here. He gathered the Nire team members and patted their shoulders, then looked at the opponents. White Cherrys leader, Liz, was walking towards Kang Ichae. Wow. Her stride was like a general holding the severed head of an enemy in one hand. Kang Ichae quietly watched her approach and bowed his head slightly. Thank you for the match. The other White Cherry member also gave a small nod. Good work. Good work. Ah, both yers! Greetings, greetings! Thementator seemed slightly teary-eyed. Even though I won this time, I acknowledge that it was a beautiful game! You can see it on that solemn face! After thementator wrapped up, the e-sports camera turned off, and Kang Ichae tried hard to maintain his expression. It might not have reached the fan seats, but I heard it well. No regrets. Hyung, good work. Ichae, it was fun. Seeing Seong Jiwons cheerful smile without any regret, Kim Seonghyeon clicked his tongue in disgust. I wouldnt be surprised if he really has the no.1 mentality. Kang Ichae let out a bitterugh. Just before Liz left, she checked that the camera was off, crossed her arms, and asked Kang Ichae. Do you mostly y support? Huh? Or a differentne? I y AD carry as well, but I originally like support. As Kang Ichae stammered his response, Liz nodded and seriously advised him. Your brain works fast, maybe thats why Sometimes your y is too hasty. If you look out for your teammates a little more, youll get better results. Other than that, theres nothing to fix. Its been a while since I had so much fun, thanks to you. !! Kang Ichaes eyes widened at Lizs praise. Pride was written in his left eye, honor in his right. No, I wish he had gotten advice on idol activities instead of online gaming. Unaware of his trembling reaction, Kang Ichae burned with embarrassment alone. I look forward to seeing you again next time. I wont go down so easily next year. At Kang Ichaes words, Liz smiled brightly and coolly waved to the fans waving slogans. Kang Ichae returned to his usual sly grin as if he had never been shocked. Sometimes you lose. Ahaha, sorry~. Its fine. I patted Kang Ichaes shoulder. It was time to leave since the archery set-up had already beenpleted in another area. Please prepare for the next archery session. Lets go, Seo Hoyun. Alright. As Kim Seonghyeon and I stood up, the excited fans screamed. I casually waved to them and confidently eyed the archery set. Ill take the first ce. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, mimimi, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 68 Chapter 68 I confidently fixed my name tag and walked with Kim Seonghyeon. Joo Woosung also came forward this time, participating alongside a ck Call member. The archery rules are simple! Each team has two participants, each shooting three arrows, and one arrow is shot by the ace member. Whos your ace member? Its obviously me. No way. Joo Woosung shook his head in disbelief. When his face was caught on the screen, the fans cheers grew louder than before. I knew ck Call was quite popr, but experiencing it directly was quite fascinating. An announcer approached Joo Woosung for an interview and asked him seriously, Joo Woosung, you ranked first in the archery event at thest Victory is Mine, right? Can we hear your thoughts on this years event? Ahaha, Ill do my best this time as well. Joo Woosung gave a textbook-perfect answer and then locked eyes with me. He smiled mischievously. At least Ill beat that side. My eyebrows twitched, and the camera caught it again. My irritated expression was disyed on the main screen, andughter filled the stadium. The announcer continued enthusiastically. These two are known as close friends in the entertainment industry, and their rivalry is burning hot~! At this point, we should also hear Seo Hoyuns thoughts! Hes a respected sunbae. I took the opportunity to correct the misconception, but Joo Woosung clicked his tongue. It was just like the entertainment industry to keep picking at a topic once it was brought up. That kind of talk really means they are close friends. Whenever I hear friends talking about their close friendships, I get chills. Despite my sincere denial, no one, including the broadcasting team, seemed to believe me. Joo Woosungs goal is directed at Seo Hoyun. Seo Hoyun, please share your goal as well! What mindset will you have during the match? With a lively smile, the announcer pushed the microphone closer to me. Wondering if it would be better to be honest, considering our teasing image as close friends, I decided to go with a safe answer. I leaned slightly towards the microphone. Ill just do my best. Wow~~! Joo Woosung is not even considered a rival by him! How did it turn out like that? Thats the epitome of leisure, right? Hes saying, Im the only one who can be first! Theres no room for two! Isnt that it?! Its getting intense! Joo Woosung snorted a little and picked up his bow. I did the same. I heard that Joo Woosung had won first ce in the previouspetition and generated numerous memes, but I absolutely had to win first ce this time. I didnt have the luxury of worrying about Joo Woosung, who wasnt even an immediate opponent in the preliminaries. I held the bow and tried pulling the bowstring without an arrow. Not bad. Just then, Kim Seonghyeon, who had just finished a brief interview with the announcer, whispered to me. I heard the distance is increased this time? What? Not 15 m. Its 25 m now.[1] What? There was no mention of that before. I tried to stop my eyebrows from furrowing, but the broadcasting team kindly exined. Theres something different about this year, right? Yes. The idols have be so good at archery that theyve broken too many camera lenses![2] The production team had to take special measures. The distance is changed from 15m to 25m! Will any idols break lenses this time~? 10m difference thats quite significant. Kim Seonghyeon mumbled worriedly. Judging by the scores of the other group members who started before us, most scored only 5 or 6 points. The distance is indeed challenging~!? The average score has dropped significantly! It used to be around 7 or 8 points. Now its 5 points! Seeing that the highest score was 8 points after two groups participated, the increased distance seemed to be causing quite a struggle. Joo Woosung is up! Wow, Joo Woosung is so rxed~. Is that the leisure ofst years gold medalist? Joo Woosung smoothly walked out, waving to the fans before assuming his stance and pulling the bowstring. When Joo Woosungs face filled the screen, the stadium stirred. Thwack! The arrow soared in a parabolic arc. Wow, Joo Woosung got 9 points! 9 points! Well done. I nodded my head and looked closely at him. The other ck Call member scored in the 7-point range, but we quickly moved to the finals because the other groups scores were somewhat lower than usual. Are the members of The Dawn who were previously excluded from ying in e-sports now stepping forward? Did they regain their energy earlier by eating ice cream? Isnt that kind of random talk? Exactly. Kim Seonghyeon and I shook our heads and went against Team Nightmare. We decided Kim Seonghyeon would shoot first, and I would be the second shooter. Kim Seonghyeon took his stance and slowly raised his arm. Cheering voices were heard from where the Noeul fandom was. Pishung! 8 points! Its 8 points! Ah~, as expected from yer Kim Seonghyeon, hes got great physical strength! I hear people saying hes only bad at games~. Ah. Kim Seonghyeon chuckled while pulling the bowstring after hearing thementators words. Maybe his concentration was disrupted because the next arrow he pulled scored 7 points. Kim Seonghyeon, get it together! Im sorry! Kim Seonghyeon, responding with a spirited answer to my sharp voice, pulled thest arrow. Thest arrow flew in a parabolic path and hit the 8-point mark. But its still yer Kim Seonghyeon! Whats the current score now? The Dawn has 23 points, and Nightmare has 19 points! Wow, if they do well, they might catch up. Considering the point gap, it wasnt a bad score, so I patted Kim Seonghyeons back as he came back. Good job. Then it was my turn. I picked up the bow and took my stance. Although I had practiced quite a bit, it was still a little burdensome with everyones eyes on me. A Nightmare member I had seen quite often during the Shining Star days spoke up. Did you guys practice? A little bit. Ah, I couldnt practice much because of our busy schedule Really? He said he couldnt practice because of their schedule. The Nightmare members words didnt seem to have much ill will, but it seemed like he was trying toy the groundwork for a low score. But it was still somewhat intimidating. I attached the arrow to the bowstring and replied. Thats a shame. The surrounding noise died down. Even though the distance had increasedpared to practice, I thought I could hit it. I raised the bow and pulled the bowstring as I lowered it. The camera focused closely on us. Hyung, did you join any archery clubs in high school? No. What? Are you sure its your first time? I told you its my first time. The memory of my members getting excited during the first practice shed through my mind. Even the trainer was. I released the bowstring. Pishuk, the sound of the bow shaking as the arrow pierced through the air and shot forward. Pop! It hit exactly the center of the target. Thementators jumped up. Wow! yer Seo Hoyun just got 10 points, 10 points! This is the first 10-point shot after the distance increased! It turned out I had quite a talent for archery. Screams poured out. Looking at the open-mouthed Nightmare yer, I calmly said to him, Its a shame you couldnt practice because you were busy. Ding! [Seo Hoyun (23, regressed): baits people in a breathtaking way, has a bad-tempered personality.] Do you get it now? *** 10 points, 9 points, 9 points, 9 points. I hit all the shots consecutively and casually waved my hand. Without calcting the total score, it was obvious that Nightmare had lost. I returned, gave Kim Seonghyeon a high five, and drank water to wet my throat. The other members were cheering in the distance. Seo Hoyun! Seo Hoyun! Milky-skinned aegyo machine Seo Hoyun! Should I kill them? Yeah, guys. Ill be first ce here for you. I quickly calcted my chances as I passed the archery preliminaries and semi-finals. I just need to win first ce in archery and one more first ce in the final ry race. Kim Seonghyeon was there, and I was confident in running. So, on the other hand, it meant I had to win first ce now. Finals! Its the archery finals! Wow, The Dawns rise this time is really terrifying. In fact, The Dawn couldnt participate in Victory is Mine during their debut year, so this is their first appearance. Yet, they are conquering everything from athletics to e-sports and now archery! Joo Woosung came up, fiddling with something. Hey, Seo Hoyun. Its so embarrassing. The ck Call member behind him looked very disgusted, but Joo Woosung didnt seem to care. You practiced a lot, didnt you? Yeah, I practiced a lot. Ah~! The two archery aces are having a conversation! Thementators seemed curious about our conversation but couldnt hear us from there. Joo Woosung chuckled and patted my shoulder. Lets take it easy, Hoyun. Yeah. Youre really rude today. Joo Woosungs lips turned into a frown, but I didnt back down. This might just be a matter of pride for you, but Im putting my life on the line here. Wow! We cant hear their conversation, but their expressions show an intense energy battle! The two are best friends. They cant lose in this kind of thing. Thats not it. Seo Hoyun, dont you have any friends? Stop introducing yourself and sit down. Joo Woosung grumbled and sat down in a chair. Kim Seonghyeon, who grabbed the bow first, scored not bad points. The Dawns Kim Seonghyeon is still stable! 8 points, 7 points, 9 points! ck Call is no pushover either! 8 points, 7 points, 7 points! The total score is 24-22! The Dawn is slightly ahead! Please get ready now! Yes. It was time for me to get up and go. I was getting ready with Joo Woosung when suddenly, the script seemed to change, and the announcer came in for another interview. Seo Hoyun, can I get an interview? What do you expect your total score to be? I dont have any expectations, but Ill do my best. Ahaha, what a textbook answer! I didnt want to be caught on a technicality, so I answered appropriately. It seemed my response wasnt what the announcer wanted, so they turned to Joo Woosung. What about Joo Woosung? Joo Woosung, who had been checking his bow, looked at the announcer and seemed to think of something. He came up quickly as if an interview at this time was sweet. As if its a pleasant thing. Ill also do my best, but. ? Joo Woosung looked at me. Ominously. What are you looking at? I red back, and Joo Woosung showed a suspicious smile. If Hoyun loses to me, hell bepletely. Embar. Rassed. Completely. Embar. Rassed? Shit My expression soured. Joo Woosungs disy of aegyo was so unusual that fans were already screaming and shaking their slogans like crazy, but this was clearly a deliberate action to unsettle me. That bastard! If I win first ce, Ill be so. Thank. Ful. So. Thank. Ful~! Joo Woosung didnt stop at one verse. He even did a visible wink at the camera, humming away as he walked off. Following him, my sulky face was caught on camera for the second time. Wow, was that a variation of Seo Hoyuns aegyo just now? Yes! Seo Hoyuns expression is full of life right now! His fingertips are slightly trembling? Joo Woosung just effectively shook Seo Hoyuns mental state! Its quite crafty but a great strategy~! Even thementators admired this crafty and effective strategy. [1] 15 m is about 49 ft or the length of a school bus. 25 m is 82 ft, a little bit less than the length of a basketball court. [2] During the idol archerypetitions, they usually put a camera at the bullseye to capture the action from the targets viewpoint. Obviously, if someone hits the center, the camera lens breaks.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 69 Chapter 69 This chapter is generously sponsored by mimimi. Let Woosung treat everyone~. Joo Woosung finally stripped my mental resolve and shot first, scoring 10 points. 10 points! Its 10 points! Serious stuff, serious stuff~. Joo Woosung hummed a tune. I sighed and took my stance, staring at the target. Suddenly I remembered the day when Kang Ichae looked at me with a frightened expression after seeing me practicing my aegyo. Thump! Damn! Oh, 8 points, 8 points, what a shame~. Did yer Seo Hoyun suffer a significant blow to his mental strength?? Hahaha! Joo Woosung wouldnt miss the chance tough heartily beside me. I stared at him quietly. I wondered if I should threaten him, but with so many watching eyes, I hesitated Oh dear, what to do. Joo Woosung kept grinning and swaggering. He then pulled the bowstring without hesitation and scored 10 points right in the center again. Damn He really performed well. Wow, Joo Woosung is a gold medalist, not to be underestimated~!! Will ck Call retain the first ce again? First ce. They shouldnt get first ce. I took a deep breath. Lets recall, lets recall when I first held the bow. Ding! [Its just an event that happened a few weeks ago!] Shut up. I grumbled quietly, and the system window didnt miss the opportunity to chime in. Ignoring it, I recalled the memories from that time. The hard feeling of the bow, the bowstring that needed more strength than I thought, and the position of my left hand that had to be firmly fixed. I took a deep breath and naturally went through the series of actions. I could do this. Swoosh! I let go of the string at that moment, and the arrow flew urately into the target. 10 points! Another 10 points by Seo Hoyun! Has his mental state recovered~?! No, it wasnt just a recovery. Joo Woosung nced at me, and I raised my bow again, scoring another 10 points. Thementators went wild, but I didnt give a damn. I just need to do my job. I also pulled a new string, and the arrow flew into the center again. Two consecutive 10-point shots by Seo Hoyun! Its 10 points! Wow! Whats the total score now? Its a tie with 52 points! Its a tie! Joo Woosungughed, then stepped forward and pulled the bowstring. However, my consecutive 10-point shots seemed to have affected him, causing his posture to waver slightly, and he scored 9 points. 9 points! Its 9 points! With this, ck Calls final score is 61 points! If The Dawn scores 10 points, its over! Can yer Seo Hoyun ovee this pressure and score three consecutive 10-point shots? I gently brushed my damp forehead. My face was focused on the main screen, the audience stirring, but I didnt see it. Right now, there are only three things in this world for me: myself, the bow, and the target. Ding! [Should you really work this hard? Im starting to feel sorry.] I cant be embarrassed any further. Absolutely not. I grabbed the bow and stepped onto the podium. I slightly ced my left foot forward and firmly held the arrow. I felt like everything was in my hands. Huh The target was 25 meters away. I quietly raised my left arm, pulled the bowstring until it touched my lips, and at that moment, I felt the surroundings be quiet. The red line in the center, 10 points. I aimed for that spot and let go of the string. The arrow seemed to fly in slow motion. And then, ng! I broke the lens. Done. As I slowly put down the bow, I heard the surrounding noise again. Shit! Seo Hoyun broke the lens!! He scored over 10 points?! This is the first time in the finals that Seo Hoyun has broken a lens! The flustered staff members checked the lens once again, then waved their arms. The broadcast team quickly stood up. Its The Dawn! 10 points confirmed! ck Call has 61 points, and The Dawn takes 1st ce with 62 points~!! Wow! Thest scene is definitely the highlight of this archerypetition! Seo Hoyuns release of the arrow looked so artistic. I thought it was a movie. Such a solemn face, both the camera angle and expression were truly artistic. I clenched and unclenched my sweaty hands a few times, and the announcer in the stadium rushed over for an interview. Seo Hoyun, you broke the lens and scored three consecutive 10-pointers to win the gold medal! Please tell us how you feel! Ah My feelings. My feelings. Right. Yes! You momentarily wavered because of Joo Woosungs sabotage strategy but quickly regained focus and hit a 10-pointer. I quickly came back to reality and looked around in surprise. The Dawn members were already celebrating, waving their arms. Meanwhile, Joo Woosung was looking at me with a slightly annoyed expression. Annoyed? Isnt that the wrong expression for you? Sigh, this bastard repaying my kindness like this? Late anger came over me. How could you try to beat me like this, even risking your reputation with such sabotage? Just let your hoobae win once, will you? As I snapped my fingers, the system window that astoundingly caught my intentions came flying. [I will obey yourmand!] Ding! [Options:
  1. Hoyunnie~ just happens to be good at archery, right?
  2. Did you see my amazing archery skills?]
Thank you. I made my choice, and, with a straight face, I spoke to Joo Woosung. Hoyunnie~. Yes, yes? Just happen to be good at archery, right. Recalling my previous aegyo, I tantly mocked his sabotage strategy. Then, I brushed back my sweaty bangs that kept sliding down my forehead with a clearly annoying smile. Its really troublesome when others act like this~. By the way, this was said not because of a dialogue window but by my own choice. I kindly smiled at Joo Woosung and left my seat. Woosung looked away as if he couldnt stand seeing my aegyo. This scene would probably circte with the title Hoyun really hated it as the biggest output of thispetition, but I couldnt help it. Its my victory. No one would dare to mock my dark past. My face had thickened so much that I was now immune to aegyo attacks. Ding! [You won, but your aegyo is Seo Hoyuns mysterious 1st loss!] Shut up. [Victory is Mine quest 1st ce count: 2/3] One more. *** Hoyunnie is the best~. He~ just happens to be good at archery. When I returned with the gold medal, my fellow members went wild. I ignored their teasing and took my seat. With my fingers crossed, I quietly muttered. I just need to win one more time. But, whats your standard for winning, hyung? I only need to do it three times. My fellow members, who didnt understand why I was so obsessed with winning, just exchanged confused nces. The flower of my victory! The ry race begins! Finally, the moment for the ry race hade. White Cherry, set on winning, imed a gold medal in the womens 400m ry. But we couldnt just be happy about it. Other group members nearly slipped and fell, apparently because the ground was slippery. Oh, dear. It seems a bit slippery. We all tied our shoces extra tight. For some reason, Jeong Dajun looked a bit uneasy. The other members seemed fine, but Dajun, burning for victory and nervously pacing, resembled a child left on the waters edge Hey, you be careful. Seems a bit slippery, right? Just try it, and if it seems too dangerous, you dont need to get 1st ce. Just run slowly. Got it? Uh Yes! He answers so innocently, but its still somewhat precarious. Did you get that? Ah, I got it, hyung. Dont worry so much. I checked that Jeong Dajuns shoces were tightly tied and patted his back. Seong Jiwon was the first to bat, followed by Kang Ichae, me, Kim Seonghyeon, andstly, Jeong Dajun. Another highlight race following the womens 400m! The mens 500m ry race! The race itself proceeded quickly. Since the ry only took ce once, considering the length of time, people participated and cheered desperately, feeling it was theirst chance. The Dawn is very serious right now! Theres even more anticipation because Kim Seonghyeon is ying. 1stne, The Dawn! Whats their team name, The Dawn? The-the-the-the Dawn? Is it a y on words for da-da-da jumping?[1] Who came up with that? Seong Jiwon shyly raised his hand and confessed. Well well, thats possible. Thats seriously unfair. Kang Ichae grumbled nervously as he moved to his starting position, but at any rate, we couldnt let Seong Jiwons morale drop since he was the one starting the ry. As Seong Jiwon approached the line and assumed his starting pose, I also moved to my spot. Now, the 500m ry is starting! Baaang! It began. Seong Jiwon, oh my, Seong Jiwon is so fast! No way! His movements are not big, but his speed is outstanding! Of course, Seong Jiwon is good at everything except being kind. Seong Jiwon was not only fast but also had excellent stamina. I quickly got into position, confirming that Seong Jiwons baton was reaching Kang Ichae. The Dawn and Refined are fighting for 1st ce right now! No, Seong Jiwon hands the baton directly to Kang Ichae! I couldnt see clearly because the distance was quite far, but Kang Ichae caught the baton like a ghost and ran toward me. Kang Ichae is overwhelmingly widening the gap! Kang Ichae even shows off tumbling on stage! Hes flying around here, too, flying around! Kang Ichae ran very diligently. I thought of the e-sports alert. Kang Ichae is unstoppable! Hyung! Kang Ichae called me and reached out with the hand holding the baton. I felt the gaze of other group members, but I stealthily moved forward and chose the best time to receive the baton. When the baton touched my hand, I dashed out with all my might. Woah! Seo Hoyun is also fast! Its not just his archery skills that are good! Seo Hoyuns physical abilities are troublesome, troublesome! I heard the words mimicking my aegyo from earlier, but it was already a zero impact. The problem was This floor is Slippery. I broke into a cold sweat instantly, but I kept looking forward and running. My pace would crumble as soon as I became conscious of something strange. As I turned the corner where Noeul was sitting, screams poured out. Is it because The Dawn members are all quite tall? Theyre stretching out so much! Seo Hoyun! Uh! Oh my, this is thebo that caught the thief! Kim Seonghyeon and Seo Hoyun! They passed the baton very stably! Kim Seonghyeon also received the baton and started running but stumbled and almost fell, quickly regaining his bnce. Ah I panted and joined Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae. How is it? Were in 1st ce right now. Seonghyeon is really fast. Kim Seonghyeon is going crazy running fast! Today, The Dawn is crazy! There was almost half ap difference between the other group members. Everyone was buzzing since it was the first time there had been such a big gap, but in my heart, a tiny thorn seemed stuck, making me ufortable. I have a bad feeling about this Kim Seonghyeon hands it over! Theres a halfp difference. Is this basically the same as winning? Kim Seonghyeon, who sprinted to thest moment, kicked the floor and handed the baton over to Jeong Dajun. Jeong Dajun! Yes! Jeong Dajun could have run slowly, but he gave it his all until the end. And when there was about half of the finish line left At that moment, Jeong Dajun put too much force on his foot, slipped, and whoosh! !! He fell forward. He raised his arm to cover his head for a split second, but he tumbled forward for two or three spins. Shit, I knew the slippery floor was uneasy! Jeong Dajun! We all jumped up. [1] (The-the-the-the Dawn) is almost the same as (Da-da-da jumping). Tbh, its slightly funnier in Korean. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, mimimi, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 70 Chapter 70 This chapter is generously sponsored by mimimi. Oh no! yer Jeong Dajun has fallen! Although Jeong Dajuns location was far away, all the members became flustered and started running toward him. Dajun, who had just raised his head, locked eyes with me. Jeong Dajun, stay still! It would be a big issue if he was injured. Not only would it affect future activities, but who would be responsible for Jeong Dajun if he had any aftereffects? ! But as expected, it was Jeong Dajun. Even though he clearly heard me, his eyes wavered as he nced back and forth between the finish line and us, and he suddenly got up. Hes really good at answering but never listens when it matters. yer Jeong Dajun! Hes up! He picked up the fallen baton and started running again. Oh! yer Jeong Dajun doesnt stop! Hes up and running again! Is this the spirit of a pro? Pro spirit, my foot! Although he was temporarily overtaken after falling, he stubbornly maintained first ce. After crossing the finish line, Jeong Dajun smiled brightly. Hyungs! The Dawn takes 1st ce! The Dawn stumbled but didnt give up and won first ce! Jeong Dajun!!! But I was angry. In the noisy stadium, I yelled out loud. Almost everyone there must have heard it. But I didnt care. I quickly walked over to the finish line, where Jeong Dajun was lying down, panting. He couldnt stand up yet and spoke with a flushed face. Hyung! We got first! I told you to stay still! I knew I had a bad feeling. Jeong Dajun was startled and opened his eyes wide. I diverted my gaze and took off his sneaker from his twisted leg. Ugh. As expected, it was swollen and red. The color change indicated a certain injury. Shit! I knew something was off with his posture. He must have ignored the pain and just kept running. The other members who ran over looked at Jeong Dajun and sighed. Where did the medical team go? They were called just now. Why arent they here yet? I couldnt hide my irritation towards the broadcasting station. Jeong Dajun grabbed my arm in a hurry. Hoyun-hyung! Theres no need for a medical team. Im fine. Really, Im fine, hyung. I said I wanted to win. Hearing that, my anger welled up inside me. I had so many things I wanted to say. I told him to run slowly if it was slippery, that it was okay not to win, and to take it easy. Well, uh. I swallowed the words that almost came out of my mouth. Jeong Dajun smiled cautiously, even though he was in pain. Ahaha, really, Im really fine. Im not hurt enough to worry. Jeong Dajun drooped his shoulders with a gloomy look. The medical team was still nowhere in sight, and when we walked over to them, they just nced at him casually and threw a spray can at us. It looks like its just a mild sprain. Just apply the spray and go. Huh. What did you say? Not only me but Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon also looked displeased. Kang Ichae spoke sharply. Youre saying he only needs the spray? He can barely walk! Its fine. Its just the muscles that got hurt. Ha. Kim Seonghyeon sighed as if he couldnt believe it. If someone is injured, you shoulde right away. Are you saying the treatment is over just by looking at him from afar? Then why are you even here? Whoa, Seonghyeon-hyung. Jeong Dajun quickly stopped Kim Seonghyeon. Then he pulled him back and whispered. Im~ fine, really. Im okay, so please stop. Kim Seonghyeons face reddened, but seeing Jeong Dajun, he turned away and closed his mouth. Would it really be okay? I knelt down and met Jeong Dajuns eyes. Jeong Dajun. Yes. Lets go to the hospital. But then, we wont be able to participate in the events ending. I held back from saying anything that could prompt a response. If even the usually clueless Jeong Dajun could say such a thing, it was clear that we were all agitated. Yes, we were. If we dont participate in the ending, well get criticized. For not staying until the end. Slippery floors that causes injuries every year. A mindset that praises someone for getting up after falling and calls it pro spirit. A medical team that casually dismisses an injury and tells them to go. Jeong Dajun, who had to endure all of this. Everything boiled my blood. You. You dont have to worry about that. I turned my back to Jeong Dajun. Get on my back quickly. Hyung, ah, Im seriously fine! Forget it. Ill take responsibility for everything, so juste with me. As I gestured to Seong Jiwon, he helped Jeong Dajun climb on my back. Careful not to touch his ankle, I lifted Dajun up. Ask the manager to prepare the car. He already did, hyung. Good job. Wheres the nearest hospital? Im looking it up right now, just a moment. The situation was louder and more chaotic than we had anticipated. People realized something was wrong when they saw someone being carried and heard the shouting. Dajun whispered nervously to me. Hoyun-hyung, were making such a scene What if its nothing serious? Then thatd be a relief. Dajun fell silent at my words. At least he wasntining noisily anymore. Hoyun, Ill talk to the fans briefly. Alright, I need your help with something. Everyone was taking care of their tasks, and I was grateful. As I lifted Dajun up, Kim Heeyeon followed us. Seo Hoyun! Ah, PD. Not this way. The nearest exit is over there. Follow me. Yes. Hurry up. Ill take care of the aftermath. PD Kim Heeyeon led the way with a worried expression. She was ast-minute recement and seemed apologetic as if it were her fault. I bowed my head in gratitude. As we left the stadium and went to where the van was parked, the system automaticallypleted the quest. [Victory is Mine questpleted You have won 1st ce in Victory is Mine events 3 times. (1st ce for group members is also recognized.) You have seeded and received 3,000 points.] Usually, I would burst out at the system window, but now it remained quiet as if it was observing the situation. It started lightly but ended with a seriously annoying conclusion. *** In conclusion! Dajun beamed brightly. Im totally fine! I reflexively wanted to p the bragging Dajun on the forehead but held back. Hold on. Hes a patient. Theres no bone damage, but theres ligament damage. Meh, its just a minor stretch. Seong Jiwon quietly stuffed an apple in Dajuns mouth. Dajun, just be quiet. Yes. The doctor said there was no bone damage, but Dajun would need a cast for about 2 weeks. Heined about the cast, but it was better than having aftereffects. Hyung, Ive been getting lots of calls. Ill answer themter. Calls wereing in from everywhere. The CEO, our manager, Joo Woosung, and others Since getting injured, Dajun had been constantly checking them. What did the CEO say? He said to rest. Actually, it was a lie. I tried to stay with Dajun, but Seong Jiwon gestured to me. Hoyun, make the call ande back. Alright, hyung. My heads spinning from all the ringing. Understood. With Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae nearby, stepping away for a moment seemed alright. At least we knew the injury wasnt too severe. I sighed, stood up, and went to the hallway to make a call, not to the CEO, but to PD Kim Heeyeon, who was at the scene. Hello? PD, its me. Ah, Seo Hoyun. Wait a moment; were still cleaning up here. Ill call backter, sorry. Im more sorry. I always end up apologizing. Ill call you back. Kim Heeyeon sounded deeply apologetic, even though it wasnt her fault. I hung up, feeling a sense of futility, and checked the message from Joo Woosung. Woosung: Is Dajun okay? Woosung: Everything went well here, the atmosphere is good good~ Woosung was probably trying to say not to worry, but I knew there would be more to it. If we dont film the ending, well get criticized for not finishing the job. I knew this would happen, and maybe enduring would have been the right thing. But seeing Dajun with his swollen ankle, looking down and only paying attention to others, I unknowingly got annoyed Forget it. The water has already been spilled. Thinking more about it wont change the oue. I ruffled my hair and was about to return to the room when I heard whispering from inside. Hasnt Hoyun-hyung changed a bittely? ? Whats going on? Why were they talking about me all of a sudden? Leaning against the wall next to the door, I raised my eyebrows as Kang Ichae initiated a discussion, and Seong Jiwon and Dajun agreed. Yeah, hes been acting weird. Right. I think so too. Without any hesitation, I walked over and crossed my arms nonchntly. What did I do? Huh? Ah! The three people inside the hospital room shrank back as they saw me. Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae turned their heads to look at me and gave awkward smiles. Well go get more vitamin drinks! Hyung! Hyungs! What the, are you just leaving me behind? Well be right back~! Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae quickly left without even looking back. They clearly looked like they were running away to avoid being caught gossiping. Only Jeong Dajun, who couldnt escape because he was lying down with a cast, looked upset. Hyung. I sighed and pulled up a chair to sit down. Are you going to gossip about me now? Hyung, weve been gossiping about you from the beginning! Jeong Dajun eximed innocently. I raised my hand to scold him, but he quickly waved his hands in defense. Just kidding, just kidding! What can you expect from these guys? Seong Jiwon had left a fruit knife behind, so I picked it up and started peeling an apple. I was nning to let it go this time, but Jeong Dajuns pleased gaze made me ufortable. Whats with that look? Ahaha. We werent really gossiping about you. We were just saying that youve changed. What has changed about me? Well, its just it feels like youre putting the members before work now. Even as he said it, he looked embarrassed and scratched his blushing cheek. So, I was happy about it. Youre considering my thoughts too. How much of a jerk had I been? To be honest, if Jeong Dajun were just a stranger, I might have just ignored him. But hes a member whos been working together and struggling with us for the past few months. Its not that. More than anything, Jeong Dajun was too young and reminded me of someone. I closed my mouth as I couldnt find anything to say. Suddenly, Jeong Dajun cleared his throat and imitated me from earlier. Get on my back quickly. Ill take responsibility for everything, so juste with me. Kyaah~, that moment was so touching, you know. When did I say that? No matter how hard I tried to remember, I never acted that cool. Moreover, it was an exaggerated version of the truth. When did Jeong Dajun ever cause me to worry? But Jeong Dajun never had a habit of stopping at the first verse. Isnt that a drama line? Im worried, Jeong Dajun.'' Jeong Dajun has been making up a script since earlier. Hehehehe! Eat your apple. Here, eat this apple. Wow, is it a rabbit apple?? I shoved an apple into his chattering mouth, just like Seong Jiwon did earlier. When was lunching? He must be hungry. Jeong Dajun seemed slightly anxious even as he made those silly jokes. As expected, his casual remark was this. Well probably get a lot of hate. He must be prepared for the bacsh. I took a deep breath and patted Jeong Dajuns head. He couldnt be unjustly treated. Your meal willeter. Make sure to eat well. Instead of the hate? Jeong Dajun asked, shaking his head. Stupid. Jeong Dajun had some hate to eat actually, theres a lot. I couldnt block all the hate that Jeong Dajun would receive in this situation. But we couldnt just take the hate while the guilty party was spared, could we? I tapped the armrest of the hospital bed and narrowed my eyes. Alright. Shall we give it a try Instead of the hate. Im really good at stirring up mud. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, mimimi, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 71 Chapter 71 [Summary for those surprised by the burning timeline whileing with a single pizza:
  1. Jeong Dajun trips in the ry (It doesnt seem like he tripped by himself, but rather slipped on the slippery floor)
  2. Seo Hoyun runs to him, lifts him up, and goes straight to the hospital
  3. Everyone is pissed and theres a huge fight, but the closing ceremony atmosphere is saved by Joo Woosung]
[Until the archery event, I was enjoying Seo Hoyuns cuteness, but whats going on now?] [Ive never seen Hoyun so angry before ;;; Hes someone who usually instantly blocks all trolls ;;] [Dajun didnt want to go to the hospital because he thought he would get med What did you do wrong, baby ] The reactions of The Dawns fans were like a portrait of sadness. Fans of other members who saw the situation and, especially, the ck Call fandom was cursing the production team like crazy. Most of them knew that Joo Woosung covered for The Dawn and were being protective. [I hope you recover quickly] [Ah Its so nice that Woosung and Jeongwoo are trying to cheer everyone up but Im worried] [I was already pissed off about ck Calls appearance being forced this time, fuck] Although everyone had deep-rooted resentment and was furious, trolls still postedments insulting Jeong Dajun and The Dawn. There was no particr reason; most of the posts were just people wanting to me someone when an issue arose. [Since theres no official statement, Jeong Dajun must be fine? I thought his bone was broken. Well, I enjoyed watching the show where you were carried out.] [Are the other idols not hurt and tired too Ah, Hoyun Its disgusting how hard youre trying to showcase your warmth~~~ Dajun, are you really in pain? Youreining so much ck Call is standing there, but what kind of rookie would act like that?] Thements above were definitely not from a ck Call fan, but rather someone using another famous group to bash us further. All this chaos happened just one day after Jeong Dajun was hospitalized. After seeing the reactions insulting Jeong Dajun and the broadcasting station not even issuing an apology, I couldnt help but let out a hollowugh. Hyung! Want some apples? No, thanks. Jeong Dajun was carefree, but I wanted to tear an apology out of someone rather than eat a red apple. The reason theyre not apologizing is obvious. Theyre going to edit out this minor injury and air it anyway. They believe that as long as it doesnt show on the broadcast, no matter how much fighting happens behind the scenes, it wont affect the ratings. And that suspicion became clearer when I saw the preview of Victory is Mine uploaded on YouTube. [Victory is Mine Video Preview] The preview video uploaded on the YouTube channel of Victory is Mine quickly gained views. It had highlights of several events. In archery, Joo Woosung and Seo Hoyun were yfullypeting against each other, and in thest ry, Jeong Dajun was more than half ap ahead of the other groups, running in first ce. What about the injury? Of course, all that was edited out. Fans who watched the preview multiple times noticed something strange. In the ending scene, all idol groups were standing, but The Dawn was nowhere to be seen. Naturally, the fans reactions took an odd turn. [Hmm, why is The Dawn not there?] [??? The video just showed them winning, right? Theyre not even on the podium?] [WowRookies not attending the ending < theyre saying its a fact from the official statementck Call, White, Cherry are all standing there >>>but<<< only The Dawn is missing] As a response to thosements, furious fans uploaded fancams from that day, and other fandoms that attended the event also came to our defense. However, the outrage didnt go away. In the end, the support for The Dawn gradually turned into fatigue from dealing with maliciousments. Having skimmed through the reactions for a few days, I put down my phone and smirked. Wow This is amazing. Their level of bashing was almost like a pure bully. However, wasnt I also a bully? They chose the wrong opponent. With a major in evil editing and a minor in manipting public opinion, the top-notch PD decided to work behind the scenes. First, I made sure I was in the right ce and then went outside, taking casual photos of the surroundings. Ignoring the manager who was just watching me with a wary look, I entered the private message app to send to my fans. What are you doing? Is it okay to upload this now? Its fine, its just a message to Noeul saying they worked hard. Its not even a photo of Jeong Dajun lying down in a cast. Still, now? I do it all the time? Fan love is nice, right?! Uploading that kind of thing would only get bacsh for pretending to be pitiful. I hummed as I spoke. What should I write for the message The manager shot me a suspicious nce, having spent enough time with me to sense something fishy. Despite that, he was still naive and gullible, so he obediently examined the photo. After looking closely, he couldnt find anything worrisome in the photo of the sunset and quickly gave his approval. After confirming the photo was sent properly, I sent the manager away and called Kim Jaeyeon. He picked up the phone before it even rang three times. Kim Jaeyeon. Why do I get scared when I get a call from you? Kim Jaeyeon seemed to already know everything and spoke in a yful tone. I took out an ion drink from the vending machine and replied. I already know what youre going to ask, right? Of course. Ill let you know a good one next time. Great, its just one click for me. After all, its a profitable business for me. Yeah, it must be profitable for you. As soon as I heard the answer, I hung up and sat on the bench, looking up at the sky. I gently smiled, watching the clouds floating between the blue sky slowly turning red. Isnt it exciting? The sunset was very beautiful. *** This time, the fans of The Dawn, who won and imed the victory, were shaking their fists while looking at themunity and various reactions. As a fan who has been especially drawn to Jeong Dajun recently, yesterdays event was unbearable. Ah! These fucking jerks. On top of that, it hadnt even been two days, and the controversy seemed to be entertaining to the trolls, who were already gathering all sorts of attention. The issue of winning the championship had started with Just one ending would be warm and angry, but it had turned into a criticism of The Dawns personality. Most of the talk was about the Shining Star (which was a hot issue in itself). Argh! Its so frustrating?! When I got sick of the endless trolls appearing despite the reports, I got a notification. [Hoyun message arrived!] It was a message from Seo Hoyun. [Did you eat, and be careful because its hot?] A short message that started with a simple greeting [Thank you, Noeul fans. (Picture) This is the sunset I took !] The picture of the sunset sky. Even a glimpse of his face would have been nice, but the picture itself symbolized the Noeuls, and I could guess the meaning behind it, making me feel touched for no reason. Ah he must have posted this to reassure us. The fan saved the picture and went straight to SNS. Everyone seemed to have simr thoughts, and it was a sea of tears with . [Are they angels Theyre worried about Noeul even when theyre hurt] [Jiwon came to the fan seats, telling us not to worry, apologizing for going like this and to be careful on our way back home Ah, Jiwon, is so sweet that I could die] Ah, guys. But in the meantime, a post was quickly reposted among people. [;;;;; Guys, if you have an iPhone, save Hoyuns picture and check the location; Eh? I dont have an iPhone, can someone share the picture? (Picture) The location is a hospital ???? Theyre still in the hospital?] Someone posted the location information that appeared on that picture, and the fans who found out where Seo Hoyun was now sighed. [Hey, its really a hospital..] [What? Its been days, and hes still in the hospital? Is he hospitalized?] [So, Dajun is in the hospital, and he took this picture to tell us not to worry???] Huh! The fan closed her mouth in shock. To tell the truth that was what Seo Hoyun intended. He deliberately turned on the location information. Someone would surely save that picture, and someone would post the fact they found out on SNS. So, he waited for this information to spread among Noeul fans. At first, the timeline was filled with worries and concerns, but it soon turned into anger. [No, they cant even talk about being okay officially, and instead of a selfie, they just uploaded a picture of the sunset because theyre worried about us Theyre the ones who got hurt They didnt even y the game, and they missed the ending because they went to the hospital Is this a normal society??] [Ah, shit, I just had a fight with a troll and now Im so pissed!!! Jiwon, you did nothing wrong!!! Dont be so conscious!!!] As Noeuls anger reached its peak, Kim Jaeyeon, who was asked by Seo Hoyun, leaked the ident Comption of Victory is Mine. The fans eagerly started to share the post. It didnt take long for the post shared among Noeul fans to spread all over. Of course, Kim Jaeyeons incredible instigation yed a big part in it. Eventually, the small pebble became a big wave, and it even turned into apensation controversy. [Hey, theyre still the same Everyone will go crazy Stop it] [Compensate, you bastards] As more and more words piled up, some criticized Seo Hoyun for making the situation this big, but even that was crushed as soon as it appeared. [Title: Isnt it a bit too much that The Dawn missed the ending? There have been many injured in the past, but they have waited until the ending Just stop talking] [Title: In my opinion, Seo Hoyun intentionally uploaded this. He usually never turns on location information, and now he turns it on when hes at the hospital Isnt it really transparent that hes sending a picture with location information on to show that hes in the hospital? Wow ;; Are you crazy?? Hoyun just took a picture of the sunset ;; Your negativity is really crazy,,, Am I the only one who thinks so? If its Seo Hoyun, its possible. He has a nickname No shortcuts.] A few more posts like that came up, but every time that happened, it only fanned the mes and made the issue burn even more. In the meantime, sympathy for the injured Jeong Dajun grew, and White Cherrys leader, Liz, posted a story with a subtle nuance, saying, Its always like that, isnt it? as the final blow. [Title: Did you see the story from Liz? >>>>>>>Always like that<<<<<<< Ah, unnie The epitome of No shortcuts. Who cant fall in love with this unnie? Please teach me Crying unnie A few years ago, she fell and cried ] The poprity of White Cherry made public opinion grow. Thanks to that, the fancam videos, which had only been buried by the fans, rose sharply again. The members going out, taking care of each other, turned into warmth, and eventually, major entertainment articles came up. [Victory is Mine Shining teamwork even in unexpected situations] [Whose responsibility is the Victory is Mine ident?] [Idols and fans working long hours standing Who is the program for?] And a few hourster, the program issued an apology along with a new statement. However, with a simple apology, people started another argument. [What should be in an apology: Who am I, what did I do wrong, how do I n to take responsibility, and what shouldnt be included There was no intention/We will be careful in the future The apology is too short to analyze Agreed] [Two-line Summary: Your scam got exposed, sorry Will you still keep watching? Fuck] Shaken, shaken! Hit from here, hit from there! The broadcasting station was like a piece ofundry in a centrifuge, getting shaken and shaken. As the bacsh grew, the program had to issue another statement. [Victory is Mine will undergo a format review] It meant they would actively revamp the program. The infuriated Noeuls reluctantly epted it, tilting their heads. . . . Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun was calmly answering a phone call. It seems that it worked out. Isnt it too good for you to make use of? Of course, its not for free. He handed over some light information he had known before to Kim Jaeyeon. He thanked him repeatedly and hung up the phone. He put his phone in his pocket and approached Jeong Dajun, who still had a ster cast. There was a basket of flowers and a letter next to him. Whats this? Ah, someone from the broadcasting station came and went! Apologizing for their mistake, they bowed their heads It made me feel even more sorry. They came so fucking fast He took out a vitamin drink from the refrigerator, sat down on a chair next to the bed, and gulped it down. Jeong Dajun, oblivious to everything, kept talking beside him. And track and field might be gone too! They say there are too many injured people, lots of viewerints Theyre considering reorganizing the program with less injury-prone sports. Is that so? Yup! As Jeong Dajun answered innocently, Hoyun rested his chin on his hand and sorted out his thoughts. Review? Just empty words. Getting an apology didnt take as long as he thought. Honestly, if the victim had been just The Dawn, the bacsh wouldnt have reached the point of getting an apology White Cherrys unexpected help made things much smoother. With that momentum, he managed to bring other fandoms with grievances on board, and the broadcasting station couldnt bury the issue quietly. The broadcasting station must be busy takingint calls even now. But now Should I do more, or stop here? He was a bit conflicted. Thinking about the sudden change of distance in archery, the slippery floor, and the staff who treated injured members as if they were faking, he weighed his options. When he looked up, he made eye contact with Jeong Dajun. Hyung? Huh? What are you thinking about? Ugh. So pure. Seeing his innocent face, Hoyun blinked and thought about the aggroments directed at him once more. If he went further from here the issue would grow bigger. And there would be a higher chance for Dajun to be exposed directly to such trashy stories he wouldnt need to know in his entire life. Hey. Its time to stop. I saw you being picky with your food earlier. Eek! When did you see that? There was nothing to gain from going further, and he could face bacsh if things went awry. He made the decision, took out a piece of candy from his pocket, chewed it, and sighed just as Kang Ichae entered the room humming a tune. My darling is here~. He loudly opened the door with a Ta-da! feeling, and as soon as he saw Hoyuns face, he burst intoughter. Hoyun-hyung is here too. It seemed he already knew how things were going. He came over, snatched some of the food Dajun had received, and asked while eating. Did you change your phone settings back? Of course. Obviously. Ahaha, I didnt need to ask, right? Huh? (Stop reacting) Whether Dajuns phone got snatched or not, Kang Ichae sat on a chair, putting his feet up, and talked casually. People with bad tempers are most reliable when fighting for others. Did you pay for the bus fare? I paid for two people. You and King-God-Emperor-General-Seo-Hoyun live in my heart Ugh. Tired of the silly joke, he pushed Kang Ichae away, but he just chuckled. As a result, Jeong Dajun became an idol who had worked hard but had a setback, and they took care of each other like warm-hearted members. As for the suspicions about me who cared. You know now, right? Let them curse and be invincible. After all, no one can be loved by everyone. Hyung, what are you talking about since earlier? Dear, our youngest. Ew, Ichae-hyung is disgusting. Kang Ichae sighed. It was understandable to feel this way when looking at Dajuns innocent, clueless expression. Kang Ichae messed up Dajuns hair, not sure if he was patting it or ruffling it. Be careful in this harsh world. Yes! Listen well to your hyungs. Yep! Anyway, answer well But at this point, Hoyun started to wonder. Does Dajun still not open up to me? Of course, that wasnt what he was hoping for when he started all this but looking at Dajun, who wasughing without a care in the world, he couldnt help but feel a sense of alienation. And it made sense. Why hasnt the scenariopleted notificatione up? The system window was quiet. It was a very King-God-Trash-Seo Hoyun-like curiosity.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 72 Chapter 72 Summer is in our hand. What a refreshing feeling. A carbonated drink CF came in. It was a long-awaited outdoor shoot, and everyone was nervous since it was their first major CF. Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun were riding skateboards they had chosen as props, whizzing around. Phew, I thought wed need stand-ins, but theyre really good! The CF director seemed very satisfied. Jeong Dajun, being young, had recovered twice as fast as the doctor had predicted and was energetically roaming around the set as usual. Tsk, I told him to be careful. He must want to y. I always feel uneasy when I see him. Hes like a child left at the waters edge. As Seong Jiwon sighed, he nced at him with a hint of pride. Whats with that, huh? His attitude towards me has been annoyingly strange sincest time. He quickly noticed it as I red at him and changed the subject. Hoyun, arent you going to ride? Ive only ever ridden a regr board. Are you good? No one in my neighborhood could beat me. Sometimes I cant tell if youre serious or not. As Seong Jiwon murmured ambiguously, I finished checking the CF storyboard written on the printout I was holding. Kang Ichae, who had been enthusiastically following Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun with a camcorder to film the BTS footage, approached Seong Jiwon this time. Seong Jiwon! What are you doing and where right now~? Today, were shooting a Ranta CF. Im checking the storyboard with Seo Hoyun~. Ranta is so delicious~! Please share your thoughts. Yes, yes! Its all thanks to our fans, Noeul, that we were able to be here. We will make sure not to disappoint the advertiser who kindly invited us and show our passion in everything we do. Wow Did you memorize all that? Huh? Im being sincere. Kang Ichae was quite flustered and then caught me, who was next to him, as his next target. Seo Hoyun, do you drink Ranta often, even when youre not working? Even when Im not working? I frowned slightly, looking displeased. Come on, my blood is made of Ranta. Oops! My apologies. Please be careful with your words. Aigoo, aigoo. Im sorry~. Kang Ichae seemed satisfied with my response, and with a hum, he went off searching for his next target. Goodness, hes not filming for someone else; hes doing it for his satisfaction. As I clicked my tongue and finished checking the storyboard, all the members gathered. Thankfully, we had a schedule in the morning. Even if the shoot took longer, we could go to the CEOs office. Right, today is the day. Finally, it was time to change the members contracts. Although it could be changed by mutual consent, this was an exceptional measure. From what I saw, our group grew independently, considering thepany didnt provide much support. The current share we were receiving was outrageous. The shooting has started! As expected of a carbonated drink shoot, the staffs energy was overflowing from the beginning. We responded strongly, nodding, and entered the pre-booked skate park. Well start with Seo Hoyuns shot! Yes. I brushed my hair back and walked slowly. The members faces were full of mischief as if they were nning to tease me when I was off camera. The camera slowly focused on the carbonated drink in my hand and then moved toward my face. I looked at the camera and slowly recited the lines I had memorized. Summer is in our hands. The camera director slightly raised the angle. I took a step forward, staring straight ahead, and lifted the corners of my mouth to smile. Grab onto the cool youth. Okay, cut! Did it turn out okay? Anyway, we had to record the lines separatelyter, but we actually said them out loud during the shoot. The director, who was checking the footage, tilted his head slightly. Didnt he like it? Seo Hoyun. Great. It came out well, but Ill try another angle. Yes, understood. I nodded and returned to my original position, and the members who tried to tease me suddenly changed their minds and remained quiet, just watching. Once again, the director called cut and stared at the monitor, rubbing his chin. Then he turned his attention to me. Seo Hoyun. Did he not like something? Yes, please tell me. I prepared myself to do whatever he asked, but the director said something unexpected. Your diction is really good, like an actor. Yes? Your facial expressions are fine too Im just curious. Did you take acting lessons? What was this about? These days, offers for me to act wereing from everywhere. And I wondered if the CEO had a hand in it here too. I cautiously replied with a slight guard up. Ahaha, no, Im just following your direction. Wow, your words are so eloquent. The director didnt say anything more. I was relieved he didnt ask me if I wanted to act here, either. Fortunately, Daepaseong Entertainment was a mid-sizedpany and couldnt exert too much influence on this CF director Wow! Suddenly, the staff let out a burst of admiration. Curious about what happened, I turned my head and saw Kim Seonghyeon waving from a distance. Seo Hoyun, look at this. What? Kim Seonghyeon poured a drink into a paper cup, then got on a skateboard with the cup still in hand. He then rode down a half-pipe. What is that? Swoosh! At exactly the same moment, he came down from the vert using the momentum, caught the cup mid-air, and spun on the half-pipe. Wow Kang Ichae sincerely admired him. Kim Seonghyeon returned to his original position and lifted the cup, not spilling a single drop of his drink. Not bad, right? Seonghyeon! Can we have an interview? Please, lets do an interview! As Kim Seonghyeon strolled over, drinking from the paper cup, Kang Ichae excitedly thrust the camera toward him. This guy would have been fine without being an idol. Seonghyeon, lets use that for themercial! The director, who had seen this, rushed in with excitement. Kim Seonghyeon seemed slightly bewildered since it was a spontaneous move, but he eventually used it in the shooting. I want to try too! Dont. Hmph. I cut Jeong Dajun off in one swift motion as he tried to follow Kim Seonghyeons lead with a skateboard in hand. He was recovering from an injury and still wanted to show off From then on, it was Kim Seonghyeons time. The staff didnt hold back on their praise and apuse for him. They seemed happy because they got good shots, and the shooting ended quickly. At that moment, I caught Seong Jiwons gaze as I turned my head to take a break. Hoyun. Yeah. What? For some reason, I felt uneasy when he made this expression. Jiwon, who could kill someone with the amount of practice he put in, smiled even more Did you hear what he said earlier? Are you going to act? Why are you doing this too? I narrowed my eyes and clicked my tongue quietly. Who did you hear it from? The manager. Seo Hoyun refused Min Jiheons rmendation because he didnt like it. Whats with the exaggeration? So? It was not for me to decide whether I liked it or not. Hes someone I should refuse But not this. I wore my jersey training suit and gulped down a carbonated drink. I wont do it. Why? The director also asked if you were acting. From what I see, you have talent. Do you think everyone has talent? Its just a casual remark. No, when I was at a bigpany, I received acting training and saw many people who were actually actors. Seong Jiwon. As a warning to slow down, Jiwon slightly recoiled but soonughed and continued to hang around my side. Did the manager ask? To try to persuade me? No, its not that. I just thought you were thinking about something else. Thinking about something else? I didnt understand the meaning, so I asked. Jiwon sat down beside me and opened a carbonated drink. Okay, I can see what youre thinking, Hoyun. We dont have seniority, and we only got first ce on that music show before because of a rebound. We should avoid individual activities until we have stable recognition. With just a mediocre acting skill, if one person stands out for the reasons, there might be internal issues again. . Ding! [Is he a Talmud schr?][1] I closed my mouth as he hit the nail on the head. I had the confidence to refute anything, but I couldnt say anything when my true intentions were exposed so candidly. But I wish youd do as you please. Dont worry about what others think. Hoyun, you have more than enough qualifications to do that. Didnt this kid suffer injustice? Even though he dedicated his youth and practiced for a long time, Seong Jiwon prioritized the other members first. Noticing the uneasy expression on my face, Jiwon cracked a joke. And if you be more popr, wont we be able to ride your coattails? How far will you go to amodate others? Huh? Ahaha Im not amodating, Hoyun. Seong Jiwon crinkled his nose and cleaned the empty drink can before leaving. However, the core issue remained. Both Jiwon and others were mistaken Im not interested in acting. Ding! [I gave you a special feature!!] Why did everyone think I wanted to act? Not at all. I have no talent. Min Jiheon didnt know until he dug deeper. I clicked my tongue and threw the empty can into the trash bin. Geez, I cant understand. For now, I left the unsolvable problem alone and continued monitoring. Kim Seonghyeons skills looked even more artistic as the sunlight reflected off him. The picture came out really well. Lets wrap up the shoot. Thank you for your hard work! Thanks for your hard work~. Everyone was happy with the early end of the shoot, pping and exchanging greetings with the staff. After shaking hands with the youngest prop master, I was about to leave when my phone suddenly rang. It was the CEO. For some reason, I had a bad feeling about this. I stared at my phone briefly before slowly answering and cing it by my ear. Hello, this is Seo Hoyun. Ah, Hoyun. I could hear a low sigh and a slightly apologetic voice. Im sorry, but it seems we cant renew the contract this time. Excuse me? Ive already talked to the manager. Lets talk againter. I was about to ask what kind of nonsense that was when the manager hurriedly entered the shooting site. At the same time, the CEO sighed once more and hung up the phone. What is it this time? Guys! Guys! Anyone with that face would know something had happened. All the members remained frozen, waiting for the managers next words. Being extra cautious, the manager grabbed Jeong Dajun and whispered to him. Dajun, Im sorry about the timing, but we must go to thepany immediately. Why? Seonghyeon,ter. Why. Being the leader, Kim Seonghyeon stepped forward and blocked the path between the manager and Jeong Dajun. Dajun looked at the manager with a puzzled expression, not understanding the situation. I also walked over to them, trying to sort out my thoughts. Jeong Dajun? What about Dajun? Whats left? Victory is Mine? The broadcastingpany? Or a dating scandal? No, weve dealt with all of that already. Dajun also kept his promise to me, so it wouldnt be a dating scandal. So, what could it be Ding! The unsettling system window sound echoed. I stopped walking and nced up at the exnation that appeared, sighing deeply. Ha This was insane, seriously. Meanwhile, Kim Seonghyeon, who still hadnt grasped the situation, quietly questioned the manager. We need to know so we can be prepared. Well Ah, I shouldnt be doing this. The manager couldnt sit still and eventually whispered quietly enough that no one around could hear, covering his mouth with his hand. Its an issue with the exclusive contract. Excuse me? Dajun. They say Jeong Dajun had a double-exclusive contract. So, we have to go and exin quickly. The CEO is really angry right now. Dajuns eyes grew wider and wider. I stared at my cursed fate and the system window. [Double-Exclusive Contract Resolve Jeong Dajuns double-exclusive contract issue! Sess: 10,000 points Failure: Jeong Dajuns withdrawal, main scenario progress impossible] Seriously, couldnt there be a single quiet day? [1] Talmud, as in Jewish schrs. Im not exactly sure if this is a Korean phrase or something.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 73 Chapter 73 The staff members cautiously nced in our direction, sensing the unusual atmosphere, but fortunately, they didnt seem to have heard the conversation. I gathered my thoughts and stopped the manager. Let mee with you. Hoyun, I understand your feelings, but donte now. No, Ill go. After all, this whole situation was a matter concerning my life. Jeong Dajuns potential withdrawal and the inability to proceed with the main scenario meant one thing: The Dawn was on the verge ofplete failure. I saw Jeong Dajuns pale face as he leaned on me slightly. I then looked at the other members. Then Ill go too. Kim Seonghyeon stepped forward. Judging by his gaze directed at me, he seemed to feel sorry for always relying on me. They must be flustered too. Never mind, you guys go home first. Didnt you have a V-Live scheduled for today? That is Its important to keep it a secret from people. In that sense, its better for me to go than for the leader to be absent. Manager, the news hasnt been released yet, right? Were desperately trying to stop it. Did you hear that? Its important to keep it hushed. Cover for us at todays V-Live. Ill follow Jeong Dajun and talk to the CEO. Jeong Dajun is a minor, only 19 years old. I couldnt leave him alone with that snake-like CEO. Ugh Turning to the groaning manager, whom I couldnt fully trust, he tightly closed his eyes. Fine, its not the first time Seo Hoyun doesnt listen. He habitually rubbed his stomach as if it hurt. I should be the one with the stomachache in this situation. I bid farewell to the filming crew with a bright smile, pretending that everything was fine, and quickly got into the van with Jeong Dajun. Hyung, ah shit Im sorry. It seemed that Jeong Dajun only realized the reality of the situation after getting into the van. He was clueless and panicked. What should I do? Will I get caught up in awsuit? No, I definitely settled things with that agency, so why now! Jeong Dajun. I clearly said I would terminate the exclusive contract. They agreed and let me go. Why now! Jeong Dajun! I ced my palm on Jeong Dajuns shoulder. A loud p was heard, and the manager nced at us through the rearview mirror. Regardless, I lifted Jeong Dajuns face and looked him straight in the eyes. Exin it properly so I can understand. Hoyun-hyung I need to know whats going on to cover for you. Honestly, I wasnt sure if I could resolve the exclusive contract issue. Thats why I vaguely used the term cover, but Jeong Dajun seemed relieved by my words. I understand. Throughout the drive to thepany, Jeong Dajun nervously recounted his story. In summary, this was what happened: Before joining Daepaseong Entertainment, he had an exclusive contract with a sketchy agency. Although he had signed a contract, he felt suspicious and requested its termination. The other agency agreed and let Jeong Dajun go, and then he proceeded with an exclusive contract with Daepaseong Entertainment. I can see the scheme. What came to mind was a ghostpany. These con artists would target young and naive individuals, sign contracts with them, and then let them terminate the contracts, only toter take advantage of the signed contracts to ckmail them. Hyung, what should I do First, tell them everything as is. Just like you told me. And after that? Jeong Dajun looked at me with anxious eyes. Just as I was about to respond, the van stopped. We were in front of Daepaseong Entertainment. I sighed and unbuckled my seat belt. Leave it to me. What more could I do at this point? *** The manager tried not to show his frustration as we entered the CEOs office, but the CEOs gaze seemed to say, This guy didnt do his job well, and Why did you bring Seo Hoyun? As if I wanted to bring him! Although teary-eyed inside, he kept his mouth shut for now. Seo Hoyun had an odd ability. No matter how ridiculous his ims were, things always turned out as he wished. Thats what happened. Jeong Dajun seemed to have regained someposure with Hoyun by his side as he exined his situation much more logically than when he had told them in the van. Upon hearing the whole story, the CEO looked annoyed. You got yed. Sigh, they just want to extort the penalty fee, including trying to silence the news. CEO Jeong Dajun stuttered at the CEOs words. However, the manager tilted his head, not understanding. Dajun is still a minor. Isnt it possible to cancel a minors exclusive contract? Sigh If only it were that simple. At those words, Seo Hoyuns eyebrows twitched. The man who had been quiet except for the greetings finally opened his mouth. Did they stamp their seal? The CEO nced at Seo Hoyun and clicked his tongue. Yeah, they did. Do we have the seal certificate and family rtionship certificate? Who takes care of such things in actual practice? But they said they have the phone records. Theyre scary. They also sent a recorded call by email. Confirmed. If it had gone to awsuit, they would have imed that the exclusive contract was established, raising all sorts of fuss. The call with Jeong Dajuns parents at the time of the contract would be used as evidence. Hmm. Seo Hoyun sank deep into thought. Jeong Dajun, unable to follow along, just rolled his eyes. The CEO sighed heavily but exined for Jeong Dajuns sake. Dajun, a contract with a minor without parental consent can be voided. But in your case, theres consent. Theres a contract with a stamped seal. You got your parents consent and stamped the seal. Your parents werent physically there, but they agreed while on speakerphone. No! They called several times back then. Theyre iming that was the recording during the contract. Even during the consultation my parents worked and couldnt make the time. Dajun, dont lie because youre scared. A contract made through a minors deception cannot be canceled. I didnt lie! . As Jeong Dajuns voice grew louder with injustice, Seo Hoyun nced at him. With trembling hands, the CEO swallowed back a sigh that threatened to escape as he watched Jeong Dajun aggressively shake his head, adamant in his denial. They said they didnt give you a contract termination notice. They just pretended to terminate it and discarded it. Crazy bastards. The CEO seemed to regret swearing before Jeong Dajun, but his energy seemed drained as he rubbed his forehead. So, they im that you knowingly signed an exclusive contract with us even though they treated you unfairly. They just stabbed us in the back. . Jeong Dajun cringed, his face contorted. Seo Hoyun carefully examined the contract on the table and asked. What are the conditions theyre proposing? Ho-Hoyun. They cant really be nning to take Dajun and have him do activities, and if they were going to sue, they would have already sent the notice. Theyre just trying to milk us for a penalty fee. Seo Hoyun calmly deduced the situation. The CEO let out a hollowugh. They havent told us yet. Buying time to raise the conditions? Yeah. We fell for it big time. Money would solve the problem. However, knowing that Dajun was a potential rookie from Daepaseong Entertainment, they were dragging it out, and it was unclear how much money would have to be poured in. Jeong Dajuns fist, partly hidden by the table, was clenched so tight it looked white. Then the fans will get tired too. The next activity will be dyed, at least. Just as the CEO and the manager worriedly discussed what to do with the scheduled ns, Seo Hoyun, who had finished organizing his thoughts, nonchntly threw another bomb. Well proceed as scheduled. What? Seo Hoyun patted Jeong Dajuns hunched shoulders as if to say there was no need to hunch if there was nothing to mope about. Three days. Hmm The CEO, although dumbfounded, felt a subtle expectation that if it was Seo Hoyun, he would somehow resolve the situation. This rookie idol, who always spouted nonsense, had always managed to produce astounding results in the end. Ill get Dajun out in three days. It was still a crazy statement. *** Damn, who the hell dyed their debut for their own sake? Some fans would wait patiently, like azaleas[1]. But who would remain if there were onlywsuits without any activities during that long period? And how could they turn back time when he was at his prime age? It was inevitable that the size of the fandom would shrink. We need to catch it now. A noisy mosquito must be caught right away. Immediately. Its better than grinding your teeth while looking at your swollen red skin the next day. In that sense, mosquitoes and fraudsters had something inmon: they must be dealt with immediately when found. Seo Hoyun, what are you saying right now! Youre not thinking of stepping in yourself, are you? Its not about whats important right now. Its about whether we can cover this quickly or not. I brushed off the managers shock lightly. We have to deal with this before the fans all leave. Everyone still doesnt know the situation, and the news hasnte out yet. We need to handle it. CEO, we had no choice but to wait anyway, right? The CEO hesitated and then nodded his head. Why do I have to go this far for this agency? It pisses me off, but I have to do it if no one else can handle it. CEO, you can just keep waiting. Do you have any connections on their side? The CEO seemed to think I had some sort of reliable backing, as if I would have any connections in the entertainment industry. I dont have any, but Since theyre misunderstanding it on their own, I dont need to deny it. Ill contact them again. I patted Jeong Dajun, who was sitting silently and gloomily on the back. Lets go. Quickly. Somehow, the situation was exactly the same as a few days ago. Jeong Dajun gazed at me from afar. He bit his lip as he suddenly stood up. He bowed politely to the CEO but still looked upset. Ugh. I turned my head just before leaving the door. Dont forget to renew the contract. The door closed with a bang. As I walked briskly ahead, Jeong Dajun hurriedly followed me. Then, he lingered a step behind me, looking around nervously. Hoyun-hyung, I-Im sorry Its fine. He was really down. Jeong Dajun thought it was all his fault. Thats why I hated scams. The victim was the one who got scammed, but people just kept repeating, You shouldve been more careful, and pointing fingers. Since we needed to do some work behind the scenes again, I tried to contact Kim Jaeyeon, but I heard Jeong Dajun calling me with a trembling voice. Hyung. What. Hyung, do you do you believe me? What? What kind of nonsense is this? I was in a hurry because I thought I had a lot to do, so I couldnt ignore it and stopped walking to look back at him. Jeong Dajun stared straight at me with a face that seemed like he was about to cry. Even if I were you or the CEO, I wouldve thought the same that Jeong Dajun lied because he couldnt handle the aftermath. But its really not true, hyung. Jeong Dajuns still clenched fists trembled. Really I didnt lie. Seeing the disheartened Jeong Dajun, my past self came to mind. Its tough not having anyone on your side. With no backing or abilities, the me fell solely on me, who cried out without proof. How much I struggled alone in that situation. I sighed. Jeong Dajun, do you feel wronged? Yes. I browsed the item shop while clicking my tongue. Some points were saved from thest quests, so I just needed to find something useful with them. If you feel you have been wronged, just ignore peoples nonsense and live more boldly as you deserve. Then, eventually, people will forget, or the real issue will be resolved. But when you still feel upset about being deceived, when you cant help but remember it every time you lie down even after enough time has passed, theres only one way to resolve it quickly. I quickly scanned the item shop. Then, I found exactly what I needed. [Lets Get Closer A chance to know peoples true feelings! Tea leaves that make people answer as honestly as if they were drunk. Points: 10,000 Note: The user may not function properly like they are drunk.] This should do. What is it? Jeong Dajun asked hesitantly. I immediately purchased the item and went to him, putting my arm around his shoulder. All you have to do is prove that youre right. ? Simple, right? Jeong Dajun seemed dumbfounded, and the tears hanging from the corner of his eyes disappeared. Anyway, I looked at my reflection in the lobby door and brushed my bangs up. Dajun. I nced through it, and it looked a bit edgy. Doing this kind of thing made meugh. What do you think? Does hyung look lighter and dumber with his bangs up? Yes? Jeong Dajun, who couldnt understand what was happening, furrowed his eyebrows. Whether he understood or not, I tried to smile lightly. Hmm, good. I looked like a punk. [1] A type of flower known for its resilience
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 74 Chapter 74 This chapter is generously sponsored by Ash. Wisu Entertainment. It was not unreasonable to view them as a group of scammers who caught minors or inexperienced young adults new to society, signed them to exclusive contracts, and then swindled money by either taking away their contract fees or disguising it as investment funds. The CEO of Wisu Entertainment took quite some pride in his organization. Its a great world for exploitation. Thats what he thought. Especially this time, he had a good feeling. Jeong Dajun, although he had set a trap by having an exclusive contract, he never expected the guy to make it big. He waited for the perfect timing when Dajuns career wasnt too sessful, nor was it worth giving up on, then threatened him with a double-exclusive contract. The CEO was happily wondering how much penalty fee to demand when a paparazzo he knew casually mentioned something while having a drink. In summary, it was this: These days, Seo Hoyun of The Dawn was having a lot of conflicts with Daepaseong Entertainment and was looking for another agency. Lucky me. His efforts inworking paid off. He got the scoop from the valuable paparazzo first. Not wanting to miss such a good opportunity, he subtly threw bait to Seo Hoyun and got a prompt response. But I should be careful. The CEO pledged to himself while wiping sweat off his forehead. Although he couldnt help but grin at the thought of ripping off a huge sum of money from Seo Hoyun and Jeong Dajun, he reminded himself to prepare for every possible situation. After all, Hoyun appeared to be a calm and knowledgeable person on broadcasts. Yup, hello~. However, when the CEO actually met Seo Hoyun, his long-held sense of caution was shattered. Hello? Wow~, this office really sucks. How does work get done here? Chewing gum noisily and swaggering like a delinquent, Seo Hoyun barely nodded before sitting on a sofa. His hair was neatlybed forward, and his whole body was wrapped in a well-coordinated luxury brand, a typical look of a snobbish delinquent. Whats with this delinquent? CEO, Im thirsty. Do you, uh, want some water? He stuttered slightly, taken aback by the unexpected gap. Seo Hoyun buried himself deeply into the sofa and crossed his legs on the table. He then leaned his head back and yawned loudly,ining that the water was taking too long. However, when the CEO handed him a bottle of water from the fridge, Hoyun frowned deeply and didnt even bother to take it. What? Dont you know that I dont drink domestic water? This is all I have. Ha, reallythis ce suuucks. Stretching out thest syble, Hoyun opened the cap and sniffed the water. He even shook it like wine to smell it better. Not that great. What? The dumbfounded CEO stared at the seagulls painted on the ceiling to calm his mind. Because of this, he missed Hoyun adding a white powder to the water. Hoyun closed the cap again, clearly not liking it, and handed it back to the CEO. You drink it, CEO. Im good. Fuckwhats with this punk? Hahaha! Hoyun, youre so funny. The gap between your broadcast persona and I was a bit taken aback. Gap? Seo Hoyun tilted his head. Seeing his innocent look, the CEO thoughtlessly answered. Uh, yeah. You were so hardworking and smart on the broadcast. He regretted his words immediately. It implied that Hoyuns current behavior was not smart. However, instead of getting upset, Hoyun burst into loudughter. Oh, that? That? Thats all just a concept. Thepany had me manage my image so much~. They even told me to stick to the script or not to open my mouth if its not in the script. You even solved college entrance exam questions well? Thats all edited. I had a hard time pretending to solve them after memorizing the answers. I just need to be good at singing and dancing, right? Do I have to be smart, too? I told them that was too much~. They insisted anyway. So, thats how it was? The CEOs tension eased. Hoyuns speech revealed an undeniable lightness and stupidity that he could not hide. Seo Hoyun smirked at him instead. You really believed that CEO? You have a more naive side than you appear to have. Hahaha! Although slightly annoyed, such an attitude would only be detrimental to oneself. The CEO of Wisu Entertainment managed to suppress his anger with a friendly smile. After all, it would be that jerk who would be deceived. Thank you foring today, Seo Hoyun. It must have been a big decision for you. What, did Ie to sign a contract? I just came for a consultation. There are many other ces too. Of course, this is my first choice. Oh, why is this the first choice? There was a slight catch. If Seo Hoyun knew about Jeong Dajuns situation, and if he had heard how Jeong Dajun had been wronged, even a fool wouldnt havee this far. Wisu Entertainment was originally a scam specialist, not an idol training expert. Our CEO is going fucking crazy right now. The CEO? Yes. But I fucking hate the CEO. Since Im going to sign with anotherpany anyway, I came to Wisu just to see that jerk get screwed. What does that mean? Think about it, sir. Seo Hoyunughed yfully. Two people betraying him and going to the same agency would be horrible, right? Wow, this guy really doesnt think. The CEO admired him. Well, if that were the reason, he seemed to have no intention of signing the contract yet but appeared to be trying to provoke Daepaseongs side gently. Now was the time for his smooth-talking skills to shine. If handled well, he would eventually stamp the contract. The CEO briefly worried as he walked to the mahogany desk that he had purchased with great reluctance to prepare the contract. It was advantageous for him to leave as little evidence as possible, so he didnt install any CCTV. However, he thought that recording might be useful forter editing and wondered if it would be helpful. But looking at Seo Hoyun, who was chewing gum and blowing bubbles while ncing around, it didnt seem necessary to go that far. Once the contract was signed, the rest would be smooth sailing, so the CEO decided to rx and just prepare the contract. Please read it first, Seo Hoyun. We usually dont do this, but weve set exceptional conditions. Hmm. The CEO pushed the contract towards Seo Hoyun, who flipped through it casually and asked, What is this cultural arts service? Oh, that refers to services rted to entertainment in the culture and art industry So, what is a service? He couldnt answer for a moment. He thought Seo Hoyun was teasing him, but it seemed sincere as he frowned and examined the words closely. Well, its like providing the necessarybor during the production or work process What do you mean? Damn it Yes, a person might not know the word service. Yes, a person might not understand what others say. The CEO tried his best to hold back his cursing and kindly exined, but Seo Hoyun kept making a confused face and continued to torment him with simr simple questions. This guy has really crafted his image well For a moment, the CEO sympathized with the employees of Daepaseong Entertainment. He couldnt understand how they managed to create an intelligent concept with such a stupid idol. When the questioning was repeated about ten times, the CEO drank the water Seo Hoyun had refused, his throat burning. Ha, now do you understand? A glint of mischief shed in Seo Hoyuns eyes, but the CEO didnt notice. Well, it seems like I get it Seo Hoyun still stupidly scratched his head. The ratio is good, and the contract period is fine. Honestly, the conditions are quite groundbreaking. Its because its a scam, you jerk. If you pull a carrot, you might as well chop it, right? Ill sign it. It was a fresh interpretation of the saying, If you pull a knife, you must cut something. The CEO, nowpletely rxed, nodded his head repeatedly. Here, a pen! Thank you. Seo Hoyun fumbled with the pen and filled his personal information in the nk spaces. Ah, finally, he could get rid of this stupid kid, the CEO thought, feeling good about himself for somehow managing to pull it off. Then, Seo Hoyun, quietly filling out the contract, spoke again. But did Jeong Dajun get better conditions than me? Dajun? Nah, his conditions are worse than yours, Hoyun. He signed when he was a trainee. Seo Hoyun seemed satisfied that he received better conditions than Jeong Dajun. Hmm really? Did he read and sign it? He wouldnt have understood this stuff. Is he saying that as if he understood it? The CEO tried his best to maintain a smile, though the veins on his forehead were bulging. No, Jeong Dajun didnt understand either. But he just signed it anyway. I guess he thought it was a good opportunity. Didnt his parents try to stop him? His parents couldnt read the contract at the time. They said they were busy with their jobs or something They only had a consultation. So, they didnt get their consent for the contract? Right, Jeong Dajun just stamped it himself without his parents consent. Thats weird. My CEO said that you sent a recording of their consent. Ah, about that. Huh? Oddly enough, the words flowed smoothly. He even revealed details that he would never have mentioned usually. As if he was heavily drunk, he honestly recounted the events of that day. We edited the consultation content. We couldnt get the parents consent, but they believed it anyway. After all, the call and the contract date were the same, so they couldnt doubt it. Really? Seo Hoyun chuckled. Only then did the CEO sense a slight unease. May I summarize everything? The tone of voice that had been pressed t against the floor just moments ago had suddenly be clear and piercingly cold to the ear. The CEO of Wisu Entertainment manipted the situation to forge the consent of a legal representative and signed an exclusive contract with underage Jeong Dajun. Suddenly, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop. With a chilly gaze, the person asked the CEO again with a smooth voice. Is that correct? Yes it is. Wisus CEO couldnt believe the words that he had just uttered. When he opened his eyes wide, Seo Hoyun shook his head and took his legs off the table. Then, as if by magic, the previous thug was gone, leaving only a cold man behind. Snap. Seo Hoyun took out his smartphone from his pocket, stopped the recording, and shoved it back in. He had been recording. The whole conversation, every bit of it. Thank you. Seo Hoyun spoke with a slightly annoyed tone, yet clearly enunciated. If we have to go to court, Ill use this recording well. You! The CEO excitedly stood up. He tried to snatch the phone, but strangely, his body wouldnt move after that. Seo Hoyun just looked up and stared intently at him. Why, why is this! Oh. He snickered and kicked away the table. Screech! With the sound of the table scraping the floor, the CEO, standing on the opposite side, was pushed back into the space between the table and the sofa. Seo Hoyun met his eyes and showed an innocent and naive-looking smile (also known as a harmless smile). Im amazed by this too. !! Lets not make a big deal out of this. Even if you delete the recording on this phone, its all backed up on the cloud. You, what are you doing! This is an illegal recording, you know?! Its refreshing to hear that from a CEO who sent the recording file himself Hey! As you know, if the conversation participant records it directly, its not illegal and has evidential value. Although sorry for the CEO, Seo Hoyun had always recorded conversations as casually as eating meals. While working on an investigative program, the first thing he learned was these backdoor tactics, so in a way, this was easier for him than breathing. Ha~ you scamming bastard. You were quite prepared, werent you? Seo Hoyun waved the contract he had picked up and put down earlier. The personal information section read Hong Gil-Dong, the address was East-West-North-South, and the age was Ah, this is a bit confusing. Additionally, instead of his signature, the contract had Aigoo written in big letters. In other words, he had done nothing. What, what! Riiip! In front of the dumbfounded CEO, Seo Hoyun tore the contract into long pieces. The fluttering paper fell at the CEOs feet. You you bastard! Hey! Do you think youll be safe after doing this?! Oh! Are you recording or filming CCTV footage? No, Im not Ah! No, thats not it! Hmm, whats the safes passcode? 487194 No, no! Thank you. He wanted to stop him, but strangely, he couldnt muster the strength to do it. There must have been something in that water. There was, but You know, when you get that tested, itll show up as a drug, right?! You have quite the imagination. Ill send you to the police station like those Today guys! Ill put you in jail! Go ahead and try. Theres nothing in it. Would there be a tea leaf in this world that would make someone answer honestly while searching everywhere? In the meantime, Seo Hoyun diligently entered the passcode and opened the safe. In addition to Jeong Dajuns exclusive contract termination agreement, which was neatly ced on top, a few other contracts were visible. Hey, put that away! Im not going to stand still for this?!! With Jeong Dajuns contract carefully tucked into his side, Seo Hoyun ripped the rest and stuffed them into his pocket. He then strutted past Wisus CEO. At the door, he turned his head with an ah. Im genuinely curious about this. Just go and leave! Is the name Wisu because its We Sue? We Sue = We prosecute. In short, he asked if they had named it after a group specializing inwsuits. CEO Kim Wisu (48, scammer) grabbed the back of his neck even though his body wasnt moving properly. He couldnt answer. Seo Hoyun shrugged his shoulders as if to say he already knew and then nodded his head with a strangely satisfied expression. Hmm I thought so. Hey! The CEO shouted angrily. However, Seo Hoyun left the office without any lingering feelings. [Double-Exclusive Contract questpleted! You have resolved Jeong Dajuns double-exclusive contract issue! Using an item designed to make friends as a tool to threaten someone is 10,000 points have been awarded.] Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, Ash, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 75 Chapter 75 The CEO of Wisu Entertainment manipted the situation to forge the consent of a legal representative and signed an exclusive contract with underage Jeong Dajun. Is that correct? Yes it is. As the sound of the recorded conversation filled the office, the CEO opened his mouth in shock. It seemed like he didnt anticipate me resolving everything within three days, or rather, two days. Is this really what youve done? Yes. I nodded my head and presented the original termination notice. With this, everything should be settled. How did you even! I got it. The CEO was surprised at how easily I had obtained it and looked back and forth between the termination notice and me. As soon as I entered the lobby, Jeong Dajun, who seemed to have been waiting for me, stood up anxiously. I purposely left him outside, as I couldnt speak properly with him there. Ive done my part here. Please handle the rest, CEO. I hope you do better next time. I cleaned up this mess, so figure it out yourself next time. The roles of the powerful and the weak had beenpletely reversed. Still, it seemed that somewhere deep in his conscience, he reluctantly agreed to my demands. However, I didnt stop there. Is the renewal ready? About that He hasnt prepared it. He thought I couldnt solve the issue. His expression stiffened. If I had failed and Jeong Dajuns contract had been breached, he would have definitely not settled the matter. Rather, he might have used it as an excuse to invalidate this renewal and corner us. What a world. I purposely didnt say anything. When you stare at someone silently, they naturally look for an excuse. Well, Dajuns matter hasnt beenpletely resolved yet, so CEO. I weighed my options for a moment. Should I go through the trouble of finding another agency, or should I manipte the CEO to make him more useful? For me My style was thetter. In that sense, this current agency that left me alone wasnt all that bad. It was easier to control with my own hands. When I was talking with Wisu Entertainment and carefully examining the contract, I remembered something. Uh, yes? When I first renewed my contract, I created a penalty use. Do you remember? the investment money that has been put into me so far should be charged to me twice as much. Okay. Lets make the penalty use twice as much as the investment.[1] The use stated that I would repay twice the investment funds as a penalty. Although it had be a useless use since thest promotion ended, it was still a valid card I could use. I remember. I thought about it, and it might seem like an unfair contract to others As I spoke up, the CEOs eyes began to shake. He had a No way, no way sort of expression. I gave a slight smile. Thats right. That was a trap from the beginning. Thinking he was dealing with a rookie idol, the CEO epted it without a second thought. But he had made a mistake. If such a use were to be leaked to the public, thepany would be branded as one that presented unreasonable conditions to an idol, and the CEO would be caught up in the unfair contract scandal. If he didnt want that to happen, he had no choice but to listen to me, even if I threatened him. Its time to put some pressure on him. The CEO wouldnt have thought that a 23-year-old, nave rookie idol would go this far without any conscience. He couldnt have predicted it. If it were any other normal person withmon sense, they wouldnt want to stick their neck out with such a use and risk getting into trouble. But I was different. I am Seo Hoyun, a mud-slinging specialist. I wont die alone, even if it kills me. I leaned backfortably against the sofa. Although my voice was slightly uneasy, as if I was worried about it being leaked to the public, I subtly emphasized certain words to pressure him. I hope it doesnt leak out. You can manage it properly, right? I want to be with Daepaseong Entertainment for as long as possible. A good Daepaseong Entertainment that can protect its artists. Not beingpletely stupid, the CEO must have understood what I meant. He pressed his forehead and nodded obediently to my words, which implied that he should behave if he didnt want to be screwed over. Seo Hoyun Yes? Never mind. The CEO let out a heavy sigh. I could hear him mumbling, I messed up. Really? I pretended not to hear him and stood up. Thank you. Ill go ahead then. As I opened the office door, Jeong Dajun was standing there, still tense and not having heard anything. Dajun stuttered and bowed his head to the CEO. The CEO was lost in thought but still managed to smile brightly as he stood up. Dajun. Yes, yes? Thanks to Hoyun, everything has been resolved. And The CEO hesitated for a moment and nced at me surreptitiously. Im sorry. I didnt believe in you. CEO? I wasnt lying, but I was too anxious and didnt see the bigger picture. If a CEO doesnt trust their artist, who will protect that artist first? Talk about a change of attitude I clicked my tongue internally as I observed the CEO trying to appease me with kind words. I knew that surviving required such actions, but seeing it in person was truly disgusting and nauseating. Forget it. Its not my ce to say anything. Im really sorry. Ah, no, its alright. At times like this, it would be best to confidently ept the apology by saying, I understand, but Jeong Dajun, who was still too soft-hearted, vehemently denied it. Well, its not up to me to worry about that. Work hard. Yes, thank you. But theres a limit to how much we can achieve just by working hard. In other words, give us more money. If you need anything, Ill support you as much as possible. The CEO couldnt say anything else and just watched us. As expected, people should be regrly appeased so they wont bother you easily. That sight was quite satisfying, so Iughed heartily. [Options:
  1. CEO! Cheer up~ Were~ here for you~
  2. Well, Hoyun and Dajun will work hard and get going now >.<
  3. Hey, yo- man! Thank you for all of that!]
Even amidst all of this, the system window continually annoyed me. Well~ Hoyun and Dajun will work hard and get going now! Right! The Dawn, our agencys rising stars, fighting! Fighting! Like snakes, weughed and turned away from each other. One had a bitter expression, and the other wore a winners smile. Naturally, the winner was me. *** To celebrate the end of Dajuns case safely~. And to congratte the renewal of our contracts! Congrattions~!! We spread out newspapers in the middle of our dorm andid out the ordered chicken in celebration of the safe conclusion of Jeong Dajuns double contract case. We sneakily added some alcohol, but of course, only carbonated drinks were served to Jeong Dajun. You guys did well on the V-Live yesterday. Was it alright? Seong Jiwon smiled, eyes squinting. Kang Ichae chimed in from the side. We had fun~ We had so much fun, but I heard Seonghyeon was worried a lot. So, we quickly switched to a ramen-eating show. You dont have to talk when you eat. You did well. Good job. Should only Seo Hoyun do it? Fortunately, no one found out about this incident. There were no rumors or news articles because nothing was leaked. There were too many controversies this year, and even the fans were getting tired. It was better to only show the good side during times like this. Its better to move on quietly. In fact, if possible, I wanted to live as if I were invisible. As I mumbled to myself and picked up a piece of chicken, Kim Seonghyeon curiously asked. How did you do it? I heard even the CEO couldnt do anything about it I sneakily told paparazzi Kim Jaeyeon that he should tell Wisu that Seo Hoyun was interested in a new contract. I then borrowed designer clothes from Joo Woosung to create a clueless idol image. Then I purchased a tea leaf that made him confess everything when mixed with water and had him drink it. Wow! Actually, saying it out loud could make me sound like a real madman! I couldnt say it like that, so I just brushed it off. I was just lucky, I guess. Dajun said you suddenly went and acted like a different person. Well something happened. At Seong Jiwons words, I shrugged and changed the subject. Did you renew your contracts well? Yeah, we all signed them. Fortunately, the ratio went up. Yes, I was satisfied. As I had already renewed my contract, I didnt join the members when they signed. The manager vaguely exined that I had already signed the renewed contract after meeting with the CEO regarding Jeong Dajuns case. Even though I helped them, theyd feel betrayed if I had renewed the contract alone. I initially intended to maintain such a ratio only for myself. The reason my thoughts changed was Well, just because. As I sorted out myplicated thoughts and just focused on eating chicken, Seong Jiwon suddenly spoke. You could have just done it for yourself. Thank you. Huh? Ah, right, hyung. You already renewed your contract, right? It must have been a hassle to go to the CEO again, but thank you so, so much!! Uh, what? What were they talking about right now? As I swallowed the chicken and looked around at the members, they pretended not to notice my strange expression, then looked back at me with puzzled faces. Hoyun, why? You guys already knew? What? That I had already changed my contract My words trailed off, feeling a bit awkward. The members faces were filled with even more question marks. Hmm? Of course, I knew. Was that supposed to be a secret?! What were they talking about? Kim Seonghyeon asked with a puzzled look. Did you really think we didnt know? Of course. Ahaha, whats with this situation? Everyone seemed confused, but Kang Ichae burst intoughter, holding his stomach. What, you guys really knew? Seriously? Since when did you know? About 5 months ago? I guessed it when I saw you going up alone. The manager couldnt keep still either. But why didnt anyone say anything?! Well, what should we say? Wasnt it normal for a group to get angry when only one member renewed their contract? I wouldve been pissed off, too. Arent you mad? Mad~? As the conversation continued to misalign and I couldntprehend, Kang Ichae, who stillughed, wiped the tears from his eyes and grabbed my shoulder. Hoyun-hyung, we all knew and didnt care No, rather, we thought it was natural. What are you talking about? We all know youve been through a lot, hyung. How many things have you solved for us in the past six months? Everyone nodded in strong agreement at Kang Ichaes words. Seong Jiwon cautiously added his opinion. Honestly, Hoyun, you deserve more. You should have a better share than us. We should be the ones feeling sorry. Ding! [Shocking! The Buddha exists!] I had never heard such a thing in my life. I was really at a loss for words. Ah, thats right! As if Kang Ichae had suddenly remembered something, he abruptly snapped his fingers while opening a soda can. Then he looked at me andughed out loud. Hyung! Was it because of this that you were being so careful when discussing the sharest time? Wow, it must be true! Kang Ichae said back then that he was sick of people being greedy for money. He even yfully teased me as he danced in front of my eyes. I didnt get sick of you~! Please, just go away. He teased me relentlessly. What a guy. The other members asked with curious faces. Seo Hoyun being careful? Hyung did that? Hoyun Why were you acting so nice? His heart is quite tender. These crazy guys Looking at the members bursting intoughter, I was bbergasted. The hurdle for being a good person these days was too low. Hyung, hyung, hyung. Feeling defeated, I sprawled out on the sofa when Jeong Dajun came over and started teasing me. Somehow embarrassed, I grabbed the string of Dajuns hoodie and pulled him closer. Hey, you,e here. What is it? I, a tender-hearted hyung, will listen to all your worries. The big issue was resolved. All that was left was to proceed with Jeong Dajuns scenario. Dajun thought for a moment with wide eyes before sitting on the sofas edge. Um I do have one thing. Okay! Tell me! Trying to look dependable, I sat up straight. Dajun awkwardly scratched his nose. Ive been into hamsterstely. But since Im busy with activities, I cant take care of one even if I raise one. I guess Ill have to be satisfied with YouTube. Yup, thats right. Get out. What? You said youd listen! Just leave. Donte back home. Thats too much! Dajun whined and clung to me. No, I didnt need Dajun; I needed toplete the main scenario. I was about to tell him to raise an imaginary hamster like Kang Ichae but gotzy and just pushed Dajuns forehead instead. Suddenly, his eyes sparkled with anxiety. Eek, home? I have a favor!! What. Hyung, I want to go to your home!! I looked at Dajun coldly, but the members chatting nearby heard this, and their eyes lit up like hyenas who found their prey. I want to go too! Me too!! These guys. Their faces clearly showed they were looking for more fun. [1] See Episode 9.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 76 Chapter 76 This chapter is generously sponsored by mimimi. Eh? Seo Hojins eyes widened as he held a toothbrush in his mouth. The suddenly created housewarming expedition team was at my doorstep. While driving the van, I asked several times, No, really, why are you so curious about my house? But the members just chuckled and didnt give up. Whats going on, hyung? Why all of a sudden? Have you been well? Seo Hojin assumed that only I was there and frowned after looking through the slightly opened door crack. He opened the door wide as if telling me to enter, raising question marks on his face as he looked at the army-like members behind me. Hello! Seo Hojin just rolled his eyes at the sight of the members greeting him with bright smiles. I muttered with resignation, This is how it turned out. ?? Wow! Amazing! You do look alike. Jeong Dajun stared intently at Seo Hojins face in surprise. I sighed deeply, pushed Hojin aside, and went inside with the members. The members circled around Hojin, who was still brushing his teeth and unable to grasp the situation. Oh, you really do look like Hoyuns younger brother. A gentler impression? What the (What is this) Seo Hojin, go finish up in the bathroom. Ugh. After rescuing Hojin from the members, I pushed him into the bathroom. A momentter, he came out looking slightly less clueless. Hello! Sorry for the sudden intrusion. No, no. Its alright. Hojin extended his hand. And then, he nced at me with a look of disbelief. What. Why. What. Hojin turned his gaze away and coughed discreetly. So youre hyungs members, right? Yes! Thats right. My name is Kang Ichae. Im Seong Jiwon. Im Kim Seonghyeon. Im Jeong Dajun! Everyone introduced themselves with wide smiles. Hojin epted their greetings awkwardly. Im Seo Hojin. Hoyuns younger brother. Ah, so you both have Ho in your names![1] How old are you? Twenty-three ah. While answering the flood of questions, Hojin suddenly closed his mouth. Twenty-three, right. Ten years younger but the same age as me. Everyone noticed the strangeness and tilted their heads. I jumped in to rify. I was born in January, and he was born in December. Wow, I see. But you still call each other hyung? Are you crazy? Of course, Im the hyung. Luckily, our birthdays were far apart. The members plopped onto the sofa as soon as they entered the living room. Hojin looked at the members and then headed to the kitchen. Would you like something to drink? Ah, yes! Things were getting noisy. Everyone found a seat and settled down. Why does Hoyuns younger brother look so gentle? No way. Hes Seo Hoyuns younger brother how can he be normal? Maybe the younger brother can be gentle because the hyung is like that? You said my heart was tender earlier? Did you really believe that? These bastards Hojin brought some juice and sat down. Thank you! Yeah, sure. Even while drinking the juice, the members continued to scrutinize Hojin. I told them there wasnt much to see in my house. After thest member finished their juice, I stood up. Are you done? Uh? Yeah. Then get out. What?! Just go without making a fuss. I wanted to restfortably since I was home, but Jeong Dajun insisted on staying. I dont want to! I want to look around more! I want to talk more with your younger brother! Get out before I start cursing. Youre already cursing with your eyes! Seo Hojin, since we are the same age, should we talk casually? Huh? Oh, sure. While I was dealing with Dajun, Seong Jiwon swiftly captivated Hojin. With no choice, Hojin just rolled his eyes while talking casually with Jiwon. Are you a college student? Uh, yeah. What major? Im in political science and diplomacy. Since hes hyungs younger brother, he must be good at studying, right? Wow, thats a university jacket! Dajun discovered the department jacket in the corner, and his eyes widened. By the way, Seo Hojin and I were from the same school. There was a ten-year gap, so he would sometimes tease me for being a fossil and then get hit afterward. Uh, Im in the same school as my brother Ah! Hojin. I aimed my fist at the center of Seo Hojins head and gently struck him down since he still seemed out of it. Hojin looked at me with an expression of injustice and grumbled. Your temper, seriously. Feeling wronged? You shouldnt have installed that stupid game, then. Ding! [What did I do to deserve this?!] You, be quiet. Hyung youre still the same at home, huh? Huh? Kang Ichae looked at Hojin with a slightly pitiful expression. Hojin grumbled with an annoyed face before suddenly turning to look at Ichae. Do you torment the members every day too? How did you know? Wow, he really acts like this everywhere. Hojin, happy to meet a fellow sufferer, started spilling TMI that no one asked for. He always tells me to turn off the lights and not stay up all night. Right, right. And when we eat instant food, he nags us a lot. He tells me not to do anything, but then he goes and does all these dangerous things without a word! Right!! Right!! Suddenly, the conversation went off on a tangent. I wondered how far it would go, and in our living room, the bold Seo Hoyun Backbiting (Frontbiting) Competition unfolded. How outrageous. As Hojin said something, the members revealed everything they had been holding back. Hes a total dictator!! He doesnt talk and just carries out his ns! Agreed! Agreed!! But then heins to me! Exactly!! And then he does more!! Did you guyse here to talk behind my back? I couldnt help but mutter. Even the previously shy Hojin seemed in high spirits, excitedly joining in the conversation before he met the members eyes. Hey, you too? Yeah, me too. In the end, they all joined hands passionately. You must have gone through a lot No, you, Seo Hojin, have been going through this for 23 years. Its been a long time. Uh As I got up while clicking my tongue, Hojin opened his eyes wide and asked. Smoke? I quit a long time ago. You quit smoking? Hojin was appalled. The members looked curiously at something interesting about to happen, but I decided to keep my mouth shut. Feeling bored, I thought about raiding the fridge. I rummaged through the freezer and took out some ice cream. Unfortunately, there were no Babam O.[2] How tasteless. Ah, so then you two live together? Living alone? Huh? Are your parents in the countryside? I casually took out a few more strawberry ice creams and walked over, and the atmosphere felt like we had been close friends for almost ten years. Suddenly, I stopped when I heard that question. Ah, I didnt mention it? Hojin nced at me, and I stuffed ice cream into the back of his neck. Of course, I ignored Hojins screams. Our parents both passed away. Huh? Traffic ident. It had been so long since it happened that I could answer indifferently. I then sat on the sofa and scooped some ice cream, but the atmosphere somehow felt cold. I couldnt describe the expressions on the members faces. Jeong Dajun lowered his head in embarrassment, not knowing what to do. Im, Im sorry. No, no, its okay. Its been a long time. Hojin hastily waved his hands and then poked me. You still havent told them? I forgot. Its surprising to suddenly hear that. Wow, Hojin, when did you grow up to have such a warm heart? Its annoying when youre sarcastic If it was someone else What? What did you say? Youre so handsome. As Hojin and I bickered over such trivial problems, dark clouds loomed heavily over the members heads. I threw some ice cream at them and said, Hey, hey, cheer up. Did youmit a major crime? I dont know Im sorry. Seong Jiwons gaze swept over my left arm. He must have been looking at the scar. Right. That traffic identthe ident where I lost my parentswas where I got my scar. Seong Jiwons face turned pale as he cautiously asked me. Is it okay for you to drive? You know I drove the van to bring you guys here, right? Right? You guys kept begging me to bring you here. You really drove us here yourself? It was okay to drive. It had been okay for a long time. Maybe. Hojin looked at me with a strange expression before scratching his head. Were fine. Its such an old memory that we dont even remember it well. Um and you came all the way here. Hojin nced at me and suddenly faced the members with a strangely rxed expression. Do you need anything? Me! Kang Ichae raised his hand as if trying to break the ice. Please tell us the story of Hoyuns first love! Ooh~! I want to hear it. Laughter erupted among the members. Are you a middle school student teasing a newly assigned student teacher? What was even funnier was that Hojin seriously pondered the request and carefully chose his response. First love Im not exactly sure, but I think hyung was quite popr during high school. A lot of people often asked me if I was his younger brother. Wow~ Hyungs poprity dropped once they got to know his personality, though. Ah, as expected~. I sneered. Hey, stop it. The members became more excited. Then Ill listen to hyungs dark history. Has Hoyun ever been dumped? As far as I know Hyung never confessed first, right? There should have been. Ugh! So unlucky! But hes been dumped a lot while dating. Wow, ahaha, why? Why do you ask such an obvious question? Ah, so its because of his personality Hey, where can you find someone as kind as me? Where did you throw away your conscience, hyung? I pped Seo Hojins forehead as he looked around, asking. Seo Hojin had a wronged expression but still bravely answered the members questions. When I told them about the day I returned with a swollen cheek after being pped, everyone burst intoughter. Evidently, their purpose foring here was to hear about my dark history with a deep-seated resentment. *** Im going to sleep! Even if I say no, you still wont listen. How did you know? In the end, the members didnt think about leaving because they found Seo Hojins stories so entertaining. Having all my embarrassing past revealed in an instant, I gave up and went out to buy some candy because I felt left out. When I returned, the party talking behind me was still going on. Arent you tired? Go get some sleep, please. Ah~, director~, its so much fun~! Hyung! Hojin-hyung, give me your number. Lets talk moreter. Alright, Ichae If life gets tough, get in touch. Ill tell you lots of funny stories. Give me your number too. Everyone grumbled but eventuallyy down to sleep. Youngsters these days were so energetic. They finally closed their mouths after I urged them to hit the sack and sleep. It feels like Im taking care of five kids. I was so tired that I was falling apart. Since there wasnt enough space for everyone to sleep in the living room, I brought Jeong Dajun to my room. As wey down, Dajun quietly started a conversation. Hyung, hyung. Go to sleep. Ah, hyung. What now Uwahaha. Are you already tired? I needed to sleep if I was going to work tomorrow. Dajunsughter filled the dark room. Today was really fun. Hojin-hyung is very funny. Is that so? I gave a vague answer and tried to close my eyes, but Dajun kept talking. Hojin-hyung said he was surprised since it was rare for you to bring someone home. He said it seemed like you trust the members. Did Hojin say that? Come to think of it, I hardly ever let anyone into my house after my parents passed away. Questions like Where did your parents go? always came up, and I didnt want to see young Seo Hojin crying in the corner when I answered calmly. I felt sorry for you all this time We trust you, but you dont seem to trust us. Especially me. Why you? Im not worth much. Im not good atposing like Ichae-hyung, nor do I have a strong conviction like Seonghyeon-hyung. I cant sing as well as Jiwon-hyung either. Dajun unexpectedly said such things. I never knew that this happy-go-lucky guy had those thoughts hidden inside him. When I didnt say anything, Dajun continued. So, I thought Id never be able to help you in my life. I wanted to at least be a useful member, but I felt anxious because I couldnt do that. But after hearing that today, I felt relieved. I thought youd at least consider me within your boundaries. I sighed upon hearing that. Jeong Dajun Are you an idiot? Excuse me? Why are you worthless? Of course, there was a time when I thought so. I thought carefully. Dajun was a fool. Just when I thought he knew me reasonably well, he acted like aplete idiot. Do you not remember being the center in Glow? Your image was very important. Me? Yeah. Also, trusting people well and following them well, thats a great talent. Is that a talent? In the 21st century, it was. Dajun asked again with a trembling voice. But I trusted too much and got kicked because of the contract this time. Thats the fault of the person who deceived you. I thought I disappointed you. I turned my body toward Dajun while lying down. Hey. If I didnt like you, would I have gone that far to take care of you? Ive been like that since the sportspetition. Honestly, I would have ignored them if it were someone else. But when Dajun, whom I had been fond of, was ignored by others, I snapped. Even with the double-exclusive contract issue, I didnt have to go that far. I could have just gently persuaded the CEO to take the penalty, even if the circumstances were dubious. But I cared. Darn, its easier since youve admitted it. Lets sleep if youve said everything. Did you know? The question was asked over the rustling sound of the nket. The reason Wisu Entertainment terminated the contract in less than two days. Yeah. Someone advised me to do it, remember? I remembered. He mentioned it during the first MV shoot, and I couldnt forget it. I had looked closely at Jeong Dajun several times since Kim Seonghyeons scenario waspleted, all because of that remark. Hesitating momentarily, Dajun cautiously raised the question hed been hiding all this time. Was it you, Hyung? I remained silent for a while. At that moment, a system window floated above my head. Ding! [Some memories are unlocked.] Why go there? Excuse me? If I were your senior in school, I wouldve taken you out even by force. I first overheard this conversation in a cafe near the broadcasting station. I didnt catch the entertainmentpanys name, but the contract method sounded like a scam. Looking at Dajuns face, which seemed much younger than a middle school student, I said that at the time. So, think it through again. Me As I tried to answer, Dajun smiled bitterly, looking a bit older than before. It doesnt make sense, does it? That person was from the broadcasting station. They even had a staff ID badge but I dont remember the face well, though. Hey, just forget about it, hyung. It was toote for me to say it was true. Dajun grinned and pulled the nket up to his neck. Before falling asleep, he forced his words out through the overwhelming drowsiness. Hoyun-hyung. What? Anyway you practically saved me. Ill definitely repay your kindness. Ill really do my best. In practice, in activities, in everything. Dajun appeared at the edge of my vision. He seemed just nave, but he had concerns too and wanted to repay my kindness. He relied on me a lot. Ill do well. Ding! [You gained Jeong Dajunsplete trust. Infamy points decrease. Youve heard all of Jeong Dajuns past. Non-disclosure is lifted.] Jeong Dajun. Dajun. I turned over and sat up on the bed. Dajun had already fallen asleep. Are you asleep? No answer came back. I let out a hollowugh. Dajun, who had fallen into a deep sleep less than a minute after covering himself with the nket, snored softly. Is it because hes young He fell asleep so quickly. Above him, a system window floated. [Jeong Dajun, The Dawns youngest sub-dancer] Ding! [Notes: Jeong Dajun escaped from a fraudulent entertainmentpany with yer Seo Hoyuns help and safely became a member of The Dawn. With Seo Hoyuns help, Jeong Dajun severs ties with the corrupt entertainmentpany and will work hard to be a source of support for the members. Main scenario 33%plete! Proceeding to the next main chapter.] I felt uneasy. Strangely, the phrase proceeding to the next main chapter didnt feel as weing as before. Maybe it was because a warning light turned on in my head, realizing I had given these guys more affection than I thought. Dajun, dont trust me too much. But I wont change. After all, I had to leave this ce. As if I never existed in this world, as if I had nothing to do with these guys from the beginning. Looking down at Dajun, who naively trusted me and made up his mind without knowing such a truth, I mumbled. Hyungs kind of trash. [1] In case youre wondering, Hoyuns name in Korean is , while Hojins is . They both share . [2] Hes probably referring to Babam Bar (). Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, mimimi, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 77 Chapter 77 This chapter is generously sponsored by mimimi. Hello, Im the Visible Radio DJ Yu Jia. Todays guest is someone who has worked with me on a program before. At the end of this promotion, I appeared on a radio program. Yu Jia and I werent particrly close, but since we were acquainted, the other members of The Dawn felt more at ease and were immersed in the broadcast. Todays guest is the rising idol group, like aet, The Dawn! Hello! Rising dawn! We are The Dawn! Visible Radio has many advantages. Fans could see a more rxed and friendly side of uspared to regr broadcasts, create videos known as taming clips, and even perform live. [Oh Ive been waiting so long for today] [Wow, Seo Hoyuns clothes are bright today] [I love the cardigan] [What, did you give up on ck clothes?] No I still like them But there was no choice. The members knew that fans wanted me to wear something other than ck, and I pleaded with the wardrobe staff multiple times that I absolutely couldnt wear ck today Eventually, I wore slightly brighter clothes. I dont really know why this was so important, but Well if they like it Yu Jia smiled happily as she looked at the chatroom filling up faster than usual. The radio broadcast went smoothly under her skilled leadership. Right~! I heard you prepared songs. Can we hear a verse from each? Preparing something whenever appearing on the radio was customary, so we practiced thoroughly. You cant find love here, but you can put your love in. [?????? Is this a dream?] [Am I really hearing Put Love from Seong Jiwons mouth?] [Jiwon, I love you ] The song Seong Jiwon sang was by a foreign female artist. The song had a sweet voice, soft beats, and lyrics with various nuances, making it a hot topic. The chatroom was filled with sounds of fans swooning as Seong Jiwon sang the song with his attractive voice. Thank you. Seong Jiwon sang with full immersion, then blushed andughed shyly as the song ended. Next to him, Jeong Dajun adjusted his headset and gave a thumbs-up. I sang a carefully-selected song and turned my head, only to lock eyes with Yu Jia. ? I felt a strange vibe for a moment but Yu Jia quickly moved on with her following remark, disguising it naturally. Perhaps because of her acting experience and years of radio broadcasting, even the fans didnt notice anything. [Hoyun, your song selection is fantastic. How did you think to have a male idol sing this???? A Disney medley from a male idol, this is insane And such a nasty personality too Ah, a princess with a nasty personality is the best] [Ah, Daepaseong is doing well these days] After various conversations and corners, we sessfully ended the radio broadcast Yu Jia approached me as if waiting for the camera to turn off. Seo Hoyun. Yes. Its heartwarming to see you getting along well with your members. Thanks for your consideration. Were doing well together. Oh, my? Although her words were empty, Yu Jia still smiled brightly. But then, she looked at me meaningfully for a moment, which was unusual. She was an experienced actress who had been in the entertainment industry for years. She seems to be hinting at something. Is there something you want to say? Ah. Feeling somewhat exposed, I tried tough it off. But Yu Jia seemed to realize something and gave an awkward smile. Um~, not yet, I guess. Huh? Its nothing. Just be careful with your members. Yu Jia left with cryptic words and disappeared to talk with the staff. Kim Seonghyeon gestured to me to hurry up. Lets go. Yeah. That felt strange. We walked to the van, and everyone seemed tired as they dragged their feet. Its the end of thest schedule. Time for a break. A break? Really? A break? Seong Jiwon repeated Kang Ichaes words and tilted his head in confusion. This was even a little scary to me. We have to practice. Are you not releasing the next album? Did you want to be a singer? Everyone was shaking with excitement. Kang Ichae was so shocked that he clung to Seong Jiwon almost as if begging him. Hyung, please stop Weve only been able to sleep for two hours these days. It seems youre grateful and want to work even harder. Alright. Why is everyone being like Seo Hoyun? Hey, what does that even mean? I wrapped my arm around Kang Ichaes neck, teasing him as we continued to the van. To be honest, until that moment, I never expected that the reason behind Yu Jias words would suddenly approach so quickly. Once all the members had boarded the car and before the engine started, the manager handed me something from the passenger seat. Hoyun, take a look at this. Huh? I stared down at the item I received unexpectedly. Wow, its a script. It was a script, something anyone whos worked at a broadcasting station would have seen. The title, Please Take the Camera, was obviously a sequel to the recently popr Please Serve the Cider.[1] The manager smiled slyly and said, This is a script by that really famous writer, Kim Sukhui. So, what about it? Gasp, the writer of Please Serve the Cider?! Jeong Dajun suddenly appeared, excitedly reaching out his hand toward the script. I pushed his forehead away and red at the manager. Through the rearview mirror, I could see the manager was surprised. Hoyun, you know. The manager seemed to be trying to persuade me, giving hints as gently as possible. Your talent is too precious to waste. What talent do I have? Your face? It took a while for the manager toe up with that answer, even after rolling his eyes around. And there was even a question mark attached. Nonsense. Its not that I didnt understand the CEOs intentions. If the series became a hit and the members gained public recognition, the group would naturally be affected too. So, in the long run, it wasnt necessarily a bad idea. However, we were still rookies. I was an outsider in the middle, and it hadnt even been a year since our debut. Its too soon. Regardless of the album promotions being over, there was no need to risk tearing the fandom apart with hasty individual activities. Theres a character named Lee Jeonghun there, and the CEO said its perfect for Seo Hoyun. Please read it at least once! I said I wont do it Hyung! Wow! At least read it. Its by Kim Sukhui! Jeong Dajun, who had been pushed away and leaning against the chair, looked at the atmosphere and suddenly got excited again as he shoved his head forward. At least Kim Seonghyeon, who was considerate, covered his mouth and dragged him away, signaling me with his eyes. Take your time talking. I was grateful for that. Just read the script once. Its such a waste not to. Hmm If you do well, you might really pass and get the role. Do I just have to read the script? Yeah, of course! Reading the script wasnt tricky in the first ce. But I had to hold back on purpose and dy it a bit. I hummed as I watched the manager anxiously tapping the steering wheel with his fingers. Then, please do me a favor. Uh, what is it? Please arrange a meeting with the nning team. Huh? Our eyes met through the rearview mirror, and the manager looked puzzled. I have a n I want to do. You guys dont have much time left for your next album, right? When will you find the time?? Of course, album promotions were the centerpiece and highlight for idols. However, it would be too sad to say that that was the end for us. Its better without a hiatus. If an idol was very active, they might make aeback up to three times a year. In other words, once every four months. Including preparations, four months go by quickly, but in the end, fans see them only during the active month. We have to make time. During inactive months, it was vital to continuously give fans something in other ways. That way, they didnt have to wait that long. The reason Lee Jihyeon had a hard time was also because ofmunication problems. You have to ride the wave when ites. Can I ask for it by tomorrow? Um yeah, of course! Ill talk about it on my end first. Thank you. From the start, it seemed the nning team would grind their teeth, saying, Seo Hoyun is making work again, but Ill give you money, guys! They could receive a bonus. If they got a financial reward, their anger would quickly subside. After finishing what I had to say, I shook the script. Then Ill read it. My manager, fearing I might change my mind, quickly nodded. Lately, hes been listening very well. I stroked my chin as I looked at my manager. One more road manager wasing in. The nning team was also carried by Lee Jihyeon, and, from what I heard, they even made an exclusive A&R team[2] like the bigpanies. People really need to explode periodically. I smiled proudly. Thepany had been running in decent shape since I pushed them using the contract issue with Jeong Dajun. I made it a point to keep nagging every time I met them. And one more thing. I nced at my manager. Hmm, Im in a good mood today~. He is so innocent. How much more could I take advantage of him? I tilted my head slightly as I looked at my manager. If our dear manager was only innocent, I would have kicked him out long ago Upon thinking carefully, I slyly asked. Manager, did you say you have a family? Yes! My lovely and respectable wife, and Grace Rosie~. Grace Rosie? Thats the name of our Shih Tzu. He had a better naming sense than Joo Woosung, who named his pretty cat Nyangnyang.[3] But Hoyun, why are you asking?? Ahaha, I was just curious. Well, anyway, it was good. For the things Id ask in the future, a person with a wife (and a pet dog named Grace Rosie) was more suitable than a single person without anyone to be responsible for. I chuckled and turned my gaze out the window. Arriving at the dorm, I was lying on the couch. I tried calming my mind, but Jeong Dajun was constantly fidgeting. Um, Hoyun Read it. Kyaaa! Its an honor! Jeong Dajun rushed into his room with the script. Under Seong Jiwons strong insistence, the other members dispersed into their rooms quickly after deciding to take care of their own business and go to the practice room together. As I was left alone in the quiet living room, I whispered. Hey. [You want the stats?] Give me a sign if you understand. Did I really have to call it a stat at this age? [Seo Hoyun, a really rude and selfish idol who always does things his way. Singing: A Dance: B+ Variety: A- Acting: B- ???: ??? Charm: B+] Did the variety skill increase a bit? This activity itself wasnt bad. It was quite an achievementpared to the growth of other peoples stats. Dance could be left alone for now, and the remaining question marks still havent appeared. I didnt even n to improve acting. Should I take a shower first? Uh-ah! Even though Id have to shower again after going to the practice room, I decided to shower first because I felt ufortable. As I raised my head, Jeong Dajun was staring at me intently. Hyung. Wow, shit, what a surprise. In the meantime, Jeong Dajun had already finished reading the script and was holding it preciously, kneeling in front of me with a lost expression. Why, why are you doing this? Get away from me. No, this is Jeonghun. Lee Jeonghun. What was he talking about? Who was Lee Jeonghun? Ignoring him, thinking that it would be better for my nerves, I was about to go take a shower when Jeong Dajun grabbed the hem of my clothes and stretched it out. Lee Jeonghuuuuun! Its a perfeeeect match! What are you talking about? Hyung, listen. Ive read up to the middle, and I swear to God, the person in this script is soooo much like you. The personality, the way of talking, its just like you. Get lost. Kkuaak! Its too simr! Can you see this? Look, the goosebumps on my arm! Jeong Dajun raised his arm to show me, but I pushed it away, uninterested. Please act! This is a waste of talent! What is he talking about.? I didnt have any intentions of acting anyway. However, the following words that came out even surprised me. Please, I beg you, be PD Lee Jeonghun! What? [1] I realized after doing this chapter that I had been somewhat inconsistent with tranting this title. Please Serve the Cider is a literal trantion of . But a more natural English trantion would be Please Serve the Refreshment or Please Serve the Satisfaction since Koreans often use cider (as in drinking it) to mean something refreshing or satisfying. [2] A&R stands for Artists and Repertoire. They are responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists [3] Woosungs cat is named , which can be tranted roughly to Meowmeow. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, mimimi, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 78 Chapter 78 Campaign sess; enjoy your story storm! PD? Yes! The main character is a variety show PD at a broadcasting station. Only then did I be a little interested. As I met Jeong Dajuns gaze, he quickly handed me the script as if urging me to read it first. I had promised to read it, so I might as well take a look. As soon as I took the script, Jeong Dajun smiled slyly. Hyung, I bet your opinion will change once you read it? I scoffed, of course. There is no way. . . . Well, maybe there is. Despite being exhausted after practice and feeling like my body was melting away, I couldnt put down the script once I started reading. As a result, I had to head to a meeting with the nning team a littleter in a drowsy state, having not slept for several hours. Darn it. How is it, hyung?! Its so much fun, right? Uh, yeah, its fun. It was, indeed, fun. There was a reason why Jeong Dajun had finished reading the script in the morning and eagerly asked for the next one. While Korean dramas usually focus on preludes rather than climaxes to captivate viewership ratings, this one evenly sprinkles breadcrumbs throughout to maintain constant interest. Moreover, while maintaining the authenticity of the broadcasting station, the parts that needed to be quickly passed through were smoothly filled with fiction so as not to lose tension. This was a story with two main protagonists disguised as a romance. The male lead, a rookie PD who joined the broadcasting station following the female lead, was originally from a chaebol family (an essential element for drama ratings). But the male lead hid his feelings from the female lead because his chaebol family ruined her family. Writer Kim Sukhui, shes like a genius, right? Shes a genius. I said it in detail, but that wasnt the important thing for me. Right! Right! And isnt Lee Jeonghun really simr to you, hyung? Hmmm. Yes, that was very troubling. I slowly touched the corner of my mouth. Jeong Dajun, do you think so too? Yes? Of course! The character, Lee Jeonghun from Please Take the Camera, was not much different in age from the 33-year-old second-hand rookie protagonist, Yu Jeonghwa. He was a ratings-guaranteed PD who had taken the most elite course by graduating with the highest honors, entering thepany at the top, and not hesitating to do dirty deeds. A character with a nasty personality who could do anything for ratings Yeah. Doesnt this sound very familiar? Ah, Im getting a caffeine rush! Before we leave, lets watch the summary video again! Sure~. After whining for a while, Jeong Dajun disappeared into his room, asking for a summary video to be watched on his phone. As I was left alone, the system window popped up. Ding! [I think I know what Seo Hoyun is thinking.] What a timely entrance. I stared at it and gave it a shot. Hey. I asked while flipping through the script. This is just me, isnt it? Thats right. PD Lee Jeonghun? Dont be ridiculous; this is just a copy of my life. Of course, since its a drama, things like family background had beenpletely excluded, but this nasty personality was definitely me. Its one thing for speech and characters to be simr, but theres no way the upation and actions could be this simr. Whats this? You know, dont you? Theres no way this could be a coincidence. As I stared at the system window, there was no answer for a moment, and then it appeared again. [Seo Hoyun.] What? And then, suddenly, it sent me a link. It was the first time it showed me something using the search function instead of a dialogue box, so I was slightly surprised. [High self-esteem people have narcissism. What is the treatment?] [Hello!! (emoticon) Today, I will tell you how to treat narcissism! (emoticon) Many people around us are subtly affected, arent they? (emoticon) Sometimes it can be embarrassing~ (emoticon) So today, lets learn how to treat narcissism!! (emoticon)] Was this really supposed to be a treatment? The more I looked, the more pointless the text seemed. As I opened my mouth in disbelief, a system message added onestment. [You seem to be overflowing with self-love Try reading this once!! Rmended!!] In other words, regain a healthy life by preventing excessive self-consciousness. I red at the system message and sighed, bowing my head. This little It fed me a hearty serving of spite. I dropped the script and tapped the table. Really? Youre trying to sell me this nonsense? Well then, should I, a narcissist, personally find out if Im truly overflowing with self-love or not? [Yes?] Im asionally baffled too. If I could confirm whether its genuine or not, I might be cured, right? Upon saying that, the system message went quiet. It had been throwing up pointless blog lists like a phone, but now it ran away when cornered. I became more certain with this strange reaction for the first time. How should I find out? There was no way to tell by merely pestering Kim Jaeyeon, and it didnt seem like there were any more hints to gain from rereading the script. So, the conclusion was one thing. Do I have no choice but to ask the writer directly? I organized my thoughts and put the script back on the bookshelf. Jeong Dajun came out of the room after seemingly watching the video and looked at me with envy, but I had no intention of letting it go. Just then, the members who had finished getting ready for work came out of the room. Hoyun, whats the meeting you set up with the nning department for? To create our own YouTube content. Huh? To exin to Kim Seonghyeon, who tilted his head as if asking what I was talking about, I kindly borated once again. A rural healing program. Huh? Kim Seonghyeon asked as if it was nonsense, but I just smiled. Why was it like this? Actually, I really liked healing programs. *** Rural healing program. It was a concept that had been popr in South Korea for nearly 20 years. Yep? Can you say that again? So, when the nning team, who wore an expression that said This again? heard my n, they made a rather strange face. The rest of the members seemed to spread their wings of imagination and looked excited. Alright, go ahead and enjoy now. A rural healing program. Ah You mean our own content? Yes, Id like you to upload it on our official The Dawn channel. Aside from the youngest in the nning team, Lee Jihyeonand of course, her expression wasnt particrly good eithereveryone elses strange expressions turned into Do we really have to do more now that weve just finished our activities? but I stood firm. Can I ask why? The team leader let out a sigh, then raised a hand and asked, as if resigned. This meant Lets at least hear the reason since Seo Hoyun will eventually push for it anyway. I smiled shyly. I want tomunicate with fans Its not working, huh? I was quite sincere, but their reaction was too cold. Alright, I know the reason already. Is the bait from the album-rted activities enough? We have to eat and live even during our off period. Yes. Now, lets put that aside. Whats the important point of this content? Kim Seonghyeon, what do you think? Yes? Kim Seonghyeon blinked. Dance practice? Wrong. Singing practice? Wrong!! It seems like the wrongs are getting more exciting? That was an illusion. Now, lets show a model example. Lee Jihyeon. Yes! Give me a model answer. If Lee Jihyeon likes idols, what exactly does she want to know? Im into 2D these days. I know. Just try talking about your recent favorite. Lee Jihyeon hesitated and then began to spit out words one by one. I What they eat these days, what they like Everyone nodded in agreement, but Lee Jihyeon couldnt stop there. What their height is, how much they weigh, whats on their ylist, what umbre they use when it rains, how they hold chopsticks when they eat. Im suddenly pissed off. Why doesnt the writer give us those hints? Yes, thank you. Thats already enough. No wonder those hints werent given. What? What did I just hear? With those who couldnt imagine the content opening their mouths in shock next to me, I quickly stopped Lee Jihyeon from talking and started to wrap up. I thought I should show them a better example. Its about showing The Dawns daily life. Like what Lee Jihyeon said, what kind of food we like, what songs we enjoy, what we do on our days off I think its a good ce to show that. Lee Jihyeon continued to grumble beside me, frowning and saying, The writer is too mean, but Kim Seonghyeon still seemed not to understand and tilted his head. Then how can a rural healing program show to the fans the daily life that they wanted to see? Me! Then, Kang Ichae raised his hand. Yes, Ichae. I think I know what Lee Jihyeon is talking about. A self-sufficient rural healing program! What do you mean by that? Wouldnt they want to see us picking wild herbs, chopping firewood, cooking, and ying together? Wow, thats exactly it. How can Ichae get more perfect. Dont praise yourself. Kang Ichae let out an exmation, patting his own shoulder. And then, he sent a mischievous nce at Seong Jiwon, who could only let out a smallugh. Were nning to proceed with a pilot program first and, if the response isnt bad, make it a regr program. That means the location the shooting equipment Please prepare it within a week. Excuse me? Please prepare it within a week. I smiled brightly. No matter how difficult they made it, I could handle it even more. Nothing is more fun than pushing someone! Honestly, there were only a few people in the nning team, enough to count on both hands, but since they had to handle all of Daepaseong Entertainments celebrities, I didnt think the work would be light. But I was also 120% sincere about making The Dawn sessful. If you want to raise an idol, you must do this much, of course. Ignoring the nning team, who seemed to want to spit on me to feel relieved, I looked around at the members. Ill talk a bit more. You guys go ahead. Uh, hyung. Can you handle it? Id rather you not be here. Itd be distracting. Wow, thats cold! Go. Pretty Ichae will leave first, feeling hurt~. I need to prepare the T-shirt Ill wear during the shoot! T-shirt? Look forward to it~. Kang Ichae winked as he got up from his seat first. Seeing his intention to leave discreetly, I let out a hollowugh inside. Your intuition is seriously impressive. By now, all the members had be experts at reading the atmosphere, but Kang Ichae was undoubtedly the best among them. Good work, everyone. Good work~! The members and some of the nning team left in a hurry. Our manager, the nning team leader, Lee Jihyeon, and I were the only ones left. I checked to make sure that the members had definitely left. Thats suspicious. The nning team leader caught on to something and cautiously looked around before speaking. What is it? Im just surprised that they brought such a in concept. I mean, rural healing is definitely a steady genre, but the person who suggested it was Seo Hoyun. I cant imagine him thinking of such a calm concept. Why, I like healing stuff. Ahaha. People usually want what they cant have. Right? Thats true. Maybe the team leader wants it these days too? The team leader awkwardlyughed in stato, Ha. Ha. Ha., but then stopped. And then he carefully asked. What are you aiming for? Do you want the fans reaction to be like, Hoyun suggested this healing concept, wow. Hes even perfect at nning for genius idols? Come on, team leader. Wouldnt it be more like, Hoyun seemed not to be into it, but it looks like he actually wanted to do this healing variety show. Yeah, let our baby do whatever he wants? Ding! [Thats a really usible reaction, isnt it?] Exactly. It seemed like the nning team had been diligently monitoring these days. I didnt think that far, but its not bad? Im really curious about why Seo Hoyun is like that. How on earth did he grow up to be like that? As I murmured while stroking my chin, the nning team leader and Lee Jihyeon gave each other knowing looks. I held back from saying that if you grew up working your bones off to raise a younger sibling ten years younger than you, youd end up like me. I got back to the main point. Anyway. Read this once, and lets discuss it afterward. I pushed the proposal forward. As the nning team and the manager read it, their expression changed rapidly. The content was about leaving everything to the vivid reactions on the spot, without any specific script and only a rough outline Do you know why I sent the members away? I added a spoonful of tantalizing MSG to spice things up.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 79 Chapter 79 Is Seo Hoyun really a devil? Wow, this is such an unexpected surprise. Ahahaha! Its summer, after all~. Everyone was excited, their eyes sparkling. I covered my mouth with my hand and narrowed my eyes. Im really, really looking forward to it. Hes really, really crazy. Thanks for thepliment~. I stood up in a good mood, as the additional proposal was epted without much opposition. As I left the meeting room, my manager looked at me disgustedly. Hoyun, you will be punished someday for this. Should I buy a lottery ticket? What if I get struck by lightning? If you get struck by lightning, youll die, Hoyun But isnt it better to tell them now? Its more fun if its a surprise. I wont mention that this was some kind of revenge for thest surprise. I think Kang Ichae noticed. Even if he went wild, he was still in the palm of my hand. My manager hesitated. Still. Ah, manager. Ill do that. Huh? Ill go for the Please Take the Camera audition. What?!! My managers eyes widened. Thanks to that, the recent worries about the Seo Hoyun Rural Healing Program Incident werepletely erased from his mind, and he immediately rejoiced and made a fuss. Why?! Why did you suddenly change your mind? The script was interesting. I spat out nonsense as I brushed my hair back. There was no way Id go just because the script was interesting. Even if the script was interesting, I wouldnt have considered attending the audition if I didnt know anything about acting. But I have something to check. No matter how much I thought about it, that character Lee Jeonghun bothered me. Seeing how the system window only shuts up in times like these, my suspicions grew deeper. How on earth did he use my life? If I go to the audition and meet the writer, Kim Sukhui, I will have a chance to find out more after speaking with them. But Ill have to approach the person I dont know slowly and cautiously. Well, Ill at least check out the first audition. The CEO and my manager have been so concerned, so I should try it, right? Wow, Im a bit touched. Why? Youve thought about us and didnt just assume that wed do whatever you wanted as if you were the most selfish person in the world! I thought you didnt listen to the members and acted like a dictator, always doing whatever you wanted! Yes. My manager wiped his tears away with a handkerchief. I answered briefly, feeling slightly annoyed, and then walked away. I can see it, I can see! The face of the future great actor Seo Hoyun!! You really have the look of an idol, but strangely also that of an actor. Really, truly! Manager, enough now~. Sorry~. After the content filming was done, I headed straight to the audition venue. My manager chuckled as I sorted out the schedule and tasks in my head. You dont really have to worry about the audition. This is just between you and me but the lead role for that drama has already been secured. Its ourpany. What? If things go well, the CEO might even put in a good word for you with the dramas production team during your audition! Thats what people call nepotism: Inserting supporting actors next to sessful leading actors. It was one of the things that a dramas production teams hated the most. Hmm. I didnt really want to go that far. No, in the first ce, there wasnt a star in this agency that had that much influence to swing around. Wait a minute. Who in ourpany? I asked after recalling the thought. Who is it? Ahaha! You know that person too~. A wave of uneasiness brushed past my chest. The moment that unexpected name came up, my face distorted in shock. *** Hello~. Hello! We (excluding me) were filled with excitement as we headed to the countryside farm. Unfortunately, it rained all morning, so our huge van moved slowly on the narrow dirt road, causing us to arriveter than expected. When we arrived at the filming location, the rain stopped as if it had been waiting for us, and the sky cleared up beautifully. Jeong Dajun arrived earlier and was busy preparing for the shoot with the nning team. He didnt even think about opening the car door and hurriedly waved his hand. Kyaaa! Its a vacation~! Its not a vacation but a content shoot. However, I didnt bother to correct them. The countryside air filled with the scent of grass, and the humid summer breeze felt rxing. The members who got out of the car a beatter were too excited to notice their surroundings. Wow! Theres a field here too! Are we going to cook with this and eat? How did you even manage to get this ce? I borrowed it from a variety show location. It seemed like the team leader had put in some effort. Iughed discreetly, but no one noticed. Should we make bibimbap? Oh, thats nice, thats nice. Do you know how to start a fire? Anyone got a lighter? Suddenly, everyone looked at me. I dont have one, okay? Im proud of you. Ignoring Jeong Dajuns strangely generous gaze, I crossed the threshold of the old but neatly arranged country house. It seemed they hadnt set up the camera yet Should we do it here? I tapped on the ground with a satisfied smile. I could just tell them to set up here when the timees. Oh, what memories. Looking around the room, I found LP records neatly arranged on a small bookshelf. Next to it was a turntable. I looked at the familiar song titles one by one, and as I moved to the right, the LP records became more disheveled. When I lifted a few, I saw a hidden pack of cigarettes in the corner. Someone from the variety show staff or cast who filmed here before must have left it. What are you doing? Aw, man, you scared me. After taking it out and organizing the LP records, I was mindlessly looking at the pack when, suddenly, Kim Seonghyeon appeared in front of me. You. Ugh. Did he misunderstand? Quickly, I threw the pack of cigarettes away and raised my hands, as Kim Seonghyeon was the one who had been most adamant about quitting smoking. Im being wronged! I know what youre thinking, but its really not like that, okay? Seo Hoyun. Kim Seonghyeon stared at me for a moment, then let out a short sigh. He carefully nced outside before cautiously closing the door. If you want to just smoke one. What? I wont tell the others. Ding! [????] I was startled, and so was the system alert. That Kim Seonghyeon? The one who insisted on not spreading any rumors about idols and always warned me against smoking was telling me it was okay to smoke one? Speechless, I stood there dumbfounded Me, me um. My voice trembled for a moment. Um, hyung Ah, I couldnt do it. I tried to hold back myughter, but I couldnt. I clenched my teeth and threw out a joke. Hyung, if you close your eyes just once while I smoke! Puff would you let it slide? Why is the door closed again? The smell would give it away anyway. I found the non-smokers way of thinking so hrious that Iughed. Kim Seonghyeon clenched his teeth; he must have realized I was teasing him. So annoying, seriously. Seonghyeon~, can I have one hit? What about a two-hit? Fine, fine. Just go over there. Uh~, what about three hits? Get out. As I continued to tease him, Kim Seonghyeon got annoyed and picked up the cigarette pack that had fallen on the floor, throwing it into the trash can. Then, realizing something, he hurriedly picked it up from the trash can. What are you doing, Kim Seonghyeon? If this gets caught on camera, therell be more rumors. Wow~! Kim Seonghyeon had learned a lot. Annoyed, he went outside, and I followed him to the door. Kim Seonghyeon! What? He turned around sharply, full of trust towards me. I crossed my arms and leaned my head against the doorframe, smiling cautiously. Please dont tell the others. Im begging you, Mr. Seonghyeon. I really hate it when you dont miss a single chance to bite at me for every word I say. Kim Seonghyeon left with a dismissive look. As he went outside and handed it to the manager, I couldnt help butugh. I guess I went too far. But I could proudly say, I quit smoking! Amazing, Seo Hoyun. As expected, its me. I neatly put away my lingering attachment to cigarettes, and as I wanted to y some music, I checked if the turntable was working when a staff member came in with a camera. I confirmed through the crack in the door that the manager hastily shoved the cigarettes into his pocket before I ced the LP on the turntable. ~? Nice song. With the soft sound of rain, the gentle LP sound flowing into my ears, and the members who were fun to tease, I leaned back against the wall with a satisfied smile. Ah, this was a healing program indeed. . . . Ta-da~! As I left the room after ying the song, Kang Ichae was, for some reason, proudlyying something out on the floor. Our cute Ichae ordered these! Lets put them on and film our V-Live! What is this? I was already getting anxious. Kang Ichae proudly picked up a white T-shirt and threw it to each member. Try it on. I prepared heartfelt messages for each member. I looked at the shirt he gave me. He said he had prepared a message that suited each member. On my shirt, there were theserge texts: Troublemaker Ding! [Ah] [Crazy] [I really, really, really like Kang Ichae!!!!!] System windows shouted, and Kim Seonghyeon, who had been harshly teased by me earlier, put on his shirt while pping. I really love it, Ichae. Right?? He had Light written on his shirt, so he had noints and obediently put it on. Uh? Theres something written on the back too? As I nervously looked at the back of my shirt, there was a message saying, The Best Aggro King. I grabbed Kim Seonghyeons shoulder, spun him around, and saw Youll need LASIK from the dazzle if you keep looking, good job! written. Did Kang Ichae have any sense of being an idol? The person who made the shirts was standing confidently as he nonchntly wore his shirt with The most handsome written on it. Kang Ichae, wheres your conscience? Why? Youre the most handsome? Aaah I knew youd say that. Today, as always, Kang Ichae bragged proudly and turned around. [Stop being so ugly with jealousy~] I was getting tired of this Next to me, Seong Jiwon, who was wearing a shirt that said Buddha,ughed softly, making me feel even more wronged. Why is he fine? Im a troublemaker, but hes a Buddha? Look at the back. Huh! On the back was the phrase, Softly Execute.[1] I see. Right? And Seong Jiwon also had his game nickname, Lets practice, guys! written on it with his face. As I stared at it nervously, Jeong Dajun, who had already put on his Gangster Mouse shirt, burst in. Oh! I didnt see the back! Whats written on mine, hyung?? Turn around. I gave up on arguing and just watched Jeong Dajun spin around before me. Jeong Dajun definitely put this on without reading the back. It was written like that. I was lost for words, yet Jeong Dajun ran around like a puppy wanting to see his own message. Hyung, what does mine say?? Puhahahaha!! Kang Ichae, who was holding his sides andughing, was the real troublemaker. [1] In the raw, the word (Buddha) is broken down into : (softly) and : (execute). This seems to be a pun by Ichae.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 80 Chapter 80 What do you want to eat? I saw some greens in the field here. We were talking about making bibimbap like I mentioned earlier. Sounds good. I really wanted to throw away the T-shirt Kang Ichae had specially made, but the production staffughed until they were exhausted and insisted I wear it. They must have thought it was a surefire hit, but their grudge against me seemed to be the main driving force. In the end, I obediently wore the Troublemaker T-shirt and started cooking. Do we have kimchi? What kind of question is that to ask a Korean? As we were always serious about food, we had a very serious conversation while efficiently dividing the tasks. Jeong Dajun lit the fire on the stove after borrowing a lighter from the staff, then poured clean water over the washed rice. Kang Ichae searched for kimchi, and Kim Seonghyeon neatly sliced some pink sausages Then Ill go pick some young radishes with Hoyun. Take care~! I was d I dressedfortably. The rain had stopped, but the humidity in the air made me sweat as I walked a few steps, even though I was wearing a T-shirt and knee-length shorts. The camera staff quickly followed me. Its my first time picking young radishes. Really? What? Have you done it before? I used to live with my grandmother. She did a lot of fieldwork. Seong Jiwon, who had arrived at the field and put down the basket, naturally wore work gloves. The staff went past me and got very close to him, looking for a good shot. I could bet that they would add subtitles like Main Vocals Unexpected Charm. Here, you too. Thank you. I put on the work gloves and stared nkly as Seong Jiwon squatted down and began to pick the radishes diligently. What do I just pull it out by grabbing the top? But only the stem came out when I did it, not the root. Seo Hoyun. Woah, that surprised me. Feelingpetitive, I was concentrating on the task when Seong Jiwon suddenly came to my side with a stern expression. No need to call me by my full name and look so serious After calming my startled heart, I turned my head, and Seong Jiwon showed me how to pick the radishes. Dont just grab the top. Hold the root and pull it out gently. Not with a snap, but with a gentle tug. Snap tug? Tug. Snap? Just go. Ding! [Ah~, its been a long time since Ive seen you so bad at something~] It was my first time doing fieldwork, so it was understandable I closed my mouth and pulled out the radishes by holding the root and snapping them out as Seong Jiwon showed me. Then, I started humming a song I had heard earlier on the LP. Those childish days of mine~ How much~. Could they have meant~. Hoyun its not meaningful. Seeing Seong Jiwon so annoyed was rare, so I sang even more enthusiastically. As I bravely finished the first verse, with encouragement from the staffs gaze, Jiwon sighed deeply and quickly moved his hands. Finally, after finishing the song, I took off my hardly dirty work gloves and proudly wiped my forehead. Satisfied~. Seong Jiwon, who was holding a full basket, ignored me and walked past. As I followed him, the delicious smell of food wafted in. Hyung! Youre back? Were making ham and egg pancakes! Once we returned and cleaned the young radishes, we mixed them evenly with the cooked rice and transferred them to arge pot. But strangely, there was too much rice. Whats going on? Why is there so much rice? Its all your fault. The young radishes are like a mountain. A mountain. Seonghyeon, why are there so many sausages again? We dont have enough tes. I just kept making them? Ah, these kids Theyre really Korean. At this rate, it was not enough only for five people but for fifteen. I quickly counted the number of staff members. It should be enough to feed everyone. Make it smaller so we can all have some~. Hurry up and mix it. I mixed the cut young radishes and kimchi with sesame oil and red pepper paste. The savory smell tickled my nose. I fed a mouthful to Jeong Dajun, who was drooling next to me while mixing. There was so much that my arm got sore from mixing, but I managed to fill the bowls. There were really fifteen servings, so I handed the rest to the staff. Thank you for your hard work~! You should eat before you work. Oh, have you already eaten? No, not yet. Then its a good thing we made a lot. Since it was a small to medium-sized entertainmentpany, the nning team could not staff every position, so there were not only acquaintances but also film and broadcasting major college students who wanted to gain experience. I didnt know how sad it would be if only the cast ate well and the staff just watched with grumbling stomachs When I first started, I remembered how I ran around the filming site on a single triangle kimbap, and my eyes teared up a bit. Ding! [Options:
  1. Its bibimbap made by Hoyun
  2. I, uh, I really like the fresh green young radishes. Enjoy it (green drinks. ver)]
Its bibimbap made by Hoyun. Th, thank you? The flustered staff members fixed their cameras and awkwardly received their bowls. Yeah I was grateful they didnt say anything weird. We also set up a table and ced bibimbap, ham and egg pancakes, and spoons on it. Wow, its really good. Have our rice-making skills improved? Its all because of Seo Hoyun. You know how much he nagged us to eat properly. So, you dont want to put fried eggs on top? Im sorry! Everyone quickly bowed their heads. The highlight of bibimbap was, of course, the soft-cooked fried egg. I cooked them separately beforehand and ced one in each members bowl. Its good because its fresh. Its a bit hot, but the wind is blowing well. Itll get cooler if we stay still. Thats what my grandma always says! Seong Jiwon shivered and rubbed his arm. Looking at the members, I felt a little better. Ding! [You look happy. Is it because the kids are eating well?] No. I was looking at them with warm eyes. Im looking forward to itter. [Wow] The system window grumbled. What? What did you want? What? Im full~. After eating the rice, we also finished the ice cream that we had put in the refrigerator beforehand. The concept was healing variety, so it proceeded without any particr mission. Thats when nning team member Lee Jihyeon came forward and handed out nk sheets of paper to the members. Everyone, we still have some time before dinner, right? Yes. Why dont we write a time capsule in the meantime? My eyebrows twitched. I didnt think I wrote that kind of n Catching my hint, Lee Jihyeon quickly understood. Its for killing time. Its good. If that was the case, I could see her ambition to make use of even the smallest gaps in time to create touching points. The members, who knew nothing, looked innocent and had a conversation. Time capsule? Whats that? Its a letter you send to your future self. I used to do it a lot when I was young. Ah~, that. Lee Jihyeon smiled and said, In the time capsule, you just need to write a simple description of yourself and The Dawn in 5 years. 5 years? Not 10 years? Yes, 5 years. Ten yearster, most of the members would be in their 30s, and it was even uncertain if this lineup wouldst. The intention was to look back at our peak and reminisce. Wow, thats smart. I nodded my head and slowly took the paper. Some members wrote thoughtfully, while others wrote excitedly. But staring at the nk white page, I couldnt think of anything to write. I scribbled some pointless words towards the members and hesitated for a moment. Will I still be here in 5 years? No, that was unlikely. ording to the system, there was a high probability that I would leave this world and return to my original world once the main scenario was over. So far, it has taken me only half a year to resolve Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajuns scenarios. Since two more members were left, I estimated it wouldnt take more than a year, even considering some leeway. Well, it might take a bit longer for The Dawn to be a top-tier group Anyway, I didnt n on taking up to 5 years. I sighed as I stared at the sentences I had written and crossed out two lines. Then I added below: Return everything to the way it was. I didnt want to live like this. It seemed I had been too immersed in this short six-month time frame. It didnt matterter when the camera would zoom in on the paper since they would probably interpret it as Our Hoyun wants to find his original motivations. I approached the other members while holding the folded paper. Hey, what did you write? Wow, ack! Jeong Dajun quickly covered the paper with both arms and hid it. Then he peeked his head out and red at me as if I was being a scoundrel. Hyung! Dont look. Seriously, is it a diary? I became a little curious since he hid it without any real thought. When I went to Kang Ichae, he rolled his eyes, folded the paper, and waved it around. Do you want to see? Yeah. Then show me yours too. Do you not want to? Kang Ichae, who had be more eloquenttely, failed. As expected, Kim Seonghyeon waspletely defenseless. I stealthily approached and snatched the paper. Hey! Ignoring the flustered Kim Seonghyeon, I slowly read the content. Still humble and wishing for the fans to be happy~. Ugh, dont read it out loud! Ahahaha. You rascal Your T-shirt really suits you. You shine bright, Kim Seonghyeon. I was doing something fitting for the T-shirt. There was more content below, but I couldnt see all of it. I returned it with a smirk and looked at Seong Jiwon, who had already finished writing and was folding the paper. Hoyun, what did you write? Nothing special. Okay, everyone, please put your papers in this box~. The staff approached when they saw that everyone had more or less finished writing. We took the offered box, neatly ced the papers inside, and then gathered in the yard. Shall we bury it here? How deep do we need to dig? Just dig a little, not too deep. While answering, I gently shoveled the dirt and buried the box. Alright~, well do some individual interviews now~. Yes~. They requested individual interviews as if they couldnt miss the emotional points. It seemed they wanted to take us individually, as they called me first. Ill be back. Who wants to watch a horror movie with Ichae here~? Is there a horror movie too? Wow. As expected of Kang Ichae. He noticed everything and set the atmosphere by himself. Well Even so. Iughed cheerfully. Yeah, hyung, Ill be back. Hyung, bring a Melona~. I ignored Jeong Dajuns habitual ice cream nagging and went outside. Just then, the rain started to drizzle again. Turning my head, I saw Lee Jihyeon across the room, gesturing quietly with her index finger on her lips. We do need to record the time capsule video but we should give Seo Hoyun a more special interview. Of course. Jihyeon and I exchanged a sinisterugh. As soon as we sat in front of the camera, we changed our expressions to look indifferent. The interview began.
  1. Seo Hoyun, how do you feel right now?
I feel great. My heart is fluttering.
  1. What will Seo Hoyun look like in 5 years?
Hmm. Ill probably be teasing my dongsaengs.
  1. Lastly, say something to the members who will watch the video.
Guys. I smiled kindly at the camera. Dont think youre the only ones capable of pulling off a surprise. Jihyeon raised her thumb, approving. Ding! [Wow youre so two-faced] Yeah, I was looking forward to it too. After finishing the cut, I opened the door, and the guys were startled. Wow, give us some warning before youe in! Really scared me. Why are you so scared? Were at the climax of the horror movie. Kim Seonghyeon grumbled. I sat down next to the guys, who were already munching on heaps of snacks. Kim Seonghyeon, go and record your cut. Why dont I want to go alone? Seeing him anxious, I felt satisfied. The horror movie had already passed the first half and was making eerie noises. Jeong Dajun, trembling with fear, stubbornly squeezed between me and Seong Jiwon. Go away. I dont want to!! I dont want to be at the end. It feels like somethings going to grab me. Even if youre in the middle, youll still get grabbed. Uwaaah! As I spoke, I secretly pulled on the back of Dajuns shirt, making him scream and jump. Dont live like that. Youre really bad, hyung! I enjoyed listening to Dajuns constant grumbling. Seong Jiwon was surprisingly the mostposed, and Kang Ichae let out a scream mixed with excitement Things will change from now on, kids. Be back soon~. Jeong Dajun was thest one to go. Uhuhuh, Ill be back There are staff outside too. Ah, right thats true. Even so, in reality, Jeong Dajun was the embodiment of fear. I eagerly poured water into my ramen noodle cup and waited like I was waiting for three minutes. Exactly 2 minutes and 41 secondster, I heard Dajuns scream from outside. Waaaaah! Wow, Jeong Dajun was faster than a ramen noodle cup.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 81 Chapter 81 Waaaaah! The members who were sprawled out jumped up at the sound of the youngests voice. Everyone hurriedly opened the door and looked around. As expected, there was no sign of the staff who should have been present. Where did all the staff go? The eerie silence in the room, where only the equipment remained, made everyone tense. Kim Seonghyeon frowned and was the first to step over the threshold. Lets find Jeong Dajun first. Yeah, lets search for him first. I winked discreetly at the camera, which was following behind the members. Suddenly, Jeong Dajun came running from the field where we got the radishes earlier, screaming maniacally. Aaaaaaah! Ugh! I couldnt understand why he wasing out of there when he said he was going for an interview, but Jeong Dajun looked more like a ghost with his messy hair and pale face and screaming in the middle of the night. Kang Ichae grabbed the disheveled Jeong Dajun and asked worriedly, Dajun, are you okay? Hyung Why did you scream? What happened? The wind was blowing just right. Hyung, no, thats I saw a ghost, and there were no staff members around. Take your time and tell me. I went to do an interview, and there was no staff in the room over there. So, I looked around the yard and wondered if they were in the field, and dont be surprised. Jeong Dajun hated scary things to the extreme, so he probably didnt spend much time looking for the staff, yet his face was extremely pale as he trembled and spoke. I think I saw a ghost. Ahahaha. Huh? It didnt look human at all. It was really white, and then it disappeared in an instant. You must have seen it wrong. Im serious! Sigh I scratched my head as if I was troubled. Then I pretended to make a phone call to someone. The staff arent answering either. Are we the only ones left? They probably went to get some supplies. Wait here. Ill go look for them. Dont leave me alone! Jeong Dajun began to cling stubbornly to Kang Ichaes waist as soon as thetter spoke. Kang Ichae slowly peeled off Dajuns arms, which were clinging like an octopus. Stay here with Seonghyeon and Jiwon. Ill go with Hoyun. Lets go, Kang Ichae. Alright. Ugh, ugh, ugh. After struggling tofort Jeong Dajun, who wanted to stay surrounded by the members for a sense of security, I left the room with Kang Ichae. Phew We moved a little farther away. Only the two of us remained in the dark, rainy field. Kang Ichae nced at the house and then turned to me. Hyung. What? Im curious. Kang Ichae adjusted his umbre and chuckled. Did you really want a surprise that much? Did you really want to trick them? I stopped walking, looked at Kang Ichae, and smiled as our eyes met. Thats why I dont like kids with quick wits. Ahahaha. When did you know? Since you mentioned the healing variety show? Since then? Youre amazing too. Isnt the wind great? Yes. There was no way PD Seo Hoyun, who was called fanged smile by cast members for his evil editing, would simply make a healing variety show in the countryside. Well, he could make one if he had to, but it wouldnt end with just the stars ordinary lives. Though it was a bit embarrassing to say with my own mouth, I was a specialist in creating explosive broadcasts. A surprise special disguised as a healing variety show! Special Produced by Seo Hoyun. Kang Ichae as the assistant director(?). Starring Seong Jiwon, Kim Seonghyeon, and Jeong Dajun. I was already smiling, thinking about the edited version, when Kang Ichae chuckled and posed another question. If one is in the field, where are the others? Field. Bathroom. Back storage room. You prepared very thoroughly. Of course, its obvious. I raised my index finger and turned my head back. So, Ichae, listen to this? Iughed brightly. By now, there should be a scream from the bathroom. Aaaahhh! Kim Seonghyeons scream burst out. And by now, there should be a scream from the warehouse too. Aaaagghhh! Again, Jeong Dajuns scream burst out. Huh. Its not Seong Jiwon. I thought Seong Jiwon would scream too Although my n went a bit awry, it didnt really matter. Ah, how amusing. They scream well. It must be quite a relief, right? Kang Ichae clicked his tongue. Hyung, how could you What did the world ever do to wrong you? Presumably expecting hidden cameras everywhere, Kang Ichae held his tongue. Seriously, Im also wondering why I went so far. The rain slowly stopped. As I folded my umbre and walked towards the warehouse, the members with pale and frightened faces huddled together under a single umbre. Ah, how cute. Original contentpleted! With excellent timing, the staffughed and popped out of hiding. Just likest time, they had a surprise cake. [Its summer -Hoyun~] Entertainment show alsopleted! Congrattions on safely finishing the Ocean Train promitions~! Surpri~se~. Thest word was mine. As I approached them with a beaming smile, Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun furiously hit my back. Laughter exploded from the surrounding staff members. Especially when my back made a rich, cracking sound from their smacking, Lee Jihyeons expression gradually became satisfied. Yes, seeing the culprit suffer must have been refreshing for the stressed-out office workers. Its you! Its you!! I knew something was off!! Ow, it hurts, it hurts. Even though I was being hit, I couldnt help butugh. However, the only w was that only Seong Jiwon maintained a calm expression. The others were all surprised, so why was Seong Jiwon so calm? Noticing my gaze, Seong Jiwon tilted his head. What? Why didnt you scream? He seemedpletely fine. Seong Jiwon slowly blinked his eyes and responded with an odd reaction. Ah um. I usually get very scared with these things. Seong Jiwon smiled faintly. But theres something scarier than ghosts in this world. What is it? A hiatus. Debut cancetion? The atmosphere on set turned solemn in an instant. Please edit out the debut cancetion Whether we should call it a hiatus or not, we all averted our eyes from Seong Jiwon, who had spent seven years as a trainee before his debut fell through at thest minute. We quickly changed the subject. Well, youve all seen it here. However, Kim Seonghyeon, who had no other topic to discuss, spoke awkwardly while looking at the staff members disguised as ghosts. They were also part of the staff. Although it was a bit rough, the makeup was good enough to surprise them with a jump scare. Youve worked hard. You were so, so professional, and were sooo grateful. Jeong Dajun gritted his teeth and said this. Of course, his swollen cheeks only made him look cuter. Beside me, as I watched the scene with a pleased expression, Kang Ichae tilted his head. Huh? But why are there only three of them? Why? Werent there four? The sudden remark made the atmosphere on set tense once again. Kang Ichae muttered while looking at the staff members dressed as ghosts. I actually met one more person while going to do an interview earlier That person was more realistic, so I thought, Wow, they really put a lot of effort into it, but? Um? I tilted my head. The staff members started murmuring. What are you talking about Everyones here. Really? Not four people? Three people. Kang Ichae opened his mouth wide in disbelief and then looked at me. As I nodded seriously, he furrowed his brow and stuttered, Then, that was really Uwaaaah! Dont say it! Jeong Dajun screamed and rolled on the floor. Jeong Dajun, the human vacuum cleaner, made an appearance. I cant sleep here! I cant! Well, youll have to go up alone and leave us behind, then Kyaaaaa! Jeong Dajun screamed, begging us to stay with him, and even the staff gathered around, their faces full of pity. Just when the chaotic atmosphere seemed to be settling down, Jeong Dajun turned up our song on his phone. The members started singing live as if trying to ovee their fear. You alone are my only answer You are my key You, who Ive been constantly searching for You are my key. A live performance here? Their voices were so powerful that any ghost would have run away. I took advantage of the noisy situation to slip away from the other members and gestured to the cameraman as I moved. While doing that, I caught Lee Jihyeons attention, who had been standing next to the storage room, and she followed me behind it. Kyah, PD Seo Hoyun! Lee Jihyeon raised her thumb. Your acting was daaaeebak. Thank you so much. Your makeup and acting were great too. There was a man in there wiping off his white makeup with a makeup remover sheet. The ghost that Kang Ichae had seen before. Wow, I didnt expect to fool even Kang Ichae like this. Is there anything I cant do? Aegyo? Why are you doing this to me? As I grinned mischievously, the camera staff filmed me while holding back theirughter. The stressed office worker Lee Jihyeon giggled. It was the final secret weapon that only a few staff members knew about. Please say a word to Kang Ichae. Ahahaha. As the camera zoomed in, I winked with one eye. Ichae~. Hyung feels great! Isnt it really refreshing now? Ding! [Kyah~! Trash!] PD Seo Hoyun has created another perfect program! *** [Title: Whats up with the amount of contenting from The Dawn this time? Its divided into three parts! 1st part: nning + Arrival and ying LP video 2nd part: Making bibimbap + Writing time capsules 3rd part: (spoilers)] I was already shedding tears of satisfaction as I watched the first and second parts [This healing concept was suggested by Hoyun Our genius idol is perfect even in nning Its the first time weve seen such a well-nned video (excluding the Shining Star, which makes me swear just by mentioning it f*ck) I was in tears thinking that Hoyun actually wanted to do this kind of healing variety show (A picture of Seo Hoyun ying the LP) Oppa Do you remember? We were in the student council together during the festival We kept making eye contact (No oppa, sorry, Im just a young niece) (Bibimbap picture) But their bibimbap Its like a school cafeteriaTheir hands are too big In the midst of all this, Hoyun says Its bibimbap made by Hoyun~. Fuck, does Seo Hoyun get ckmailed sometimes? I dont know why he keeps doing this, but Im grateful (continued) Spoilers from here (Spoiler alert) (Spoiler alert) (Spoiler alert) (Picture of Jeong Dajun screaming) Sur. Prise. Prank. Special. This wasnt a rural healing special but a surprise prank special!!! nning Team: Was it because you were caught off guardst time? Seo Hoyun: (Quickly) No. nning Team: That response came out too fast Seo Hoyun: No. Seo Hoyun seems to hold more grudges than expected. Anyway, after eating, they were watching a horror movie (Screaming Jeong Dajun pic) Jeong Dajun was really scared, shedding tearsHe said he wouldnt watch it andy down, but there were tear stains on his pillow. So hrious. (Good acting Seo Hoyun pic) Jeong Dajun: It didnt look human at all. It was really white, and then it disappeared in an instant. Seo Hoyun: (Annoyed) You must have seen it wrong. Jeong Dajun: Im serious! Seo Hoyun: Sigh. Jeong Dajun: (Sulking) At that moment, Kang Ichae followed and talked to him, but I guess they edited out the conversation We only saw the installed camera (Kim Seonghyeon startled at the bathroom entrance pic) (Seong Jiwons calm face pic + Niagara Fallsposite) And herees Seong Jiwons famous quote collection >>>> But theres something scarier than ghosts in this world a hiatus<<<< There was a woman here who suddenlyughed and cried at the same time (Spoiler warning) (Spoiler warning) Seo Hoyun: Good job. nning Team: We didnt know youd even fool Kang Ichae. Seo Hoyun: (Laughing) Seo Hoyun briefly appears during nning. Q: Why do a surprise prank special? A: (Laughing) Its summer. (Seo Hoyun ncing at the camera and smirking pic) >>>Ichae, is it really cool now? <<< >>>Ichae, is it really cool now? <<< >>>Ichae, is it really cool now? <<< Screaming at the end Seo Hoyun, you were really mean. Even thinking back on it, you were mean Seems like he prepared a lot Our rabbit, dont go like this Now Im a bit scared of this moe.] [Title: Hey, but whats so scary about this that the kids are scared So, Im going to sleep hugging our puppy Dajun tonight Lets hear Dajuns opinion Dajun: Ah, damn it] [Guys, I didnt mean to prove it like this (Cryingughing emoticon) Its hrious that Seo Hoyun did all of this while wearing that Troublemaker T-shirt] As the members btedly found out the truth and kept hitting my back, I still felt a lingering awkwardness, but the reaction was good, anyway. However, the reaction that seemed to end here soared explosively again with e post. [Title: Fuck, what is this in episode 3? It seems like something white is staring from behind Hey, why is this happening Hey, dont do this to me at dawn] And then another post followed. [Title: Emergency, its barely noticeable for 0.5 seconds, so it passes quickly (Picture of the tree) . Tell me its a staff No, this happened after Kang Ichaes surprise ended Please be aware, fuck Ah, sorry] Soon, YouTube was flooded with provocative titled videos like White thing appears during an idol broadcast, whats its identity?! and Male Idol Sees a Ghost During a Broadcast. Unintentionally, whether its a real ghost or not, the view count of episode 3 hit 1.2 million as ordinary people flocked to watch. A whopping 1.2 million. The manager looked at it and prayed to all the gods for a moment. Please give thanks to the ghost. No, what good will that prayer do? I might really get punished. Seeing my dumbfounded expression, the manager hurriedly stopped the car and turned his body toward me. Can you do well today? Yes. Uwaaah! Im more excited! Today is finally the first audition. Yes, I heard that so much I was tired of it. The manager seemed to have no doubt that I would pass. If you do well, its the second round! And then the final!! Actually, I had a lot of thoughts about this part. At first, I didnt care about acting, and I just needed an excuse to meet Writer Kim Sukhui. But then I wondered if Kim Sukhui would willingly converse with me if my acting was too terrible. On the other hand, with my B-level acting skills, it didnt seem like I could beat existing actors, so why bother being conspicuouslyzy? Yes, well, Ill try my best. So, I thought carelessly. I didnt consider that even if my ability was at B, the character and the person could have extreme chemistry, resulting in a synchronization rate beyond my ability.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 82 Chapter 82 Hoyun, dont be nervous! Dont shake! Just be yourself, and theyll like you! Oh, do you need some calming pills? As we headed towards the audition waiting room, I nced at my manager, who kept expressing his worries. It seemed like he needed the calming pills more than I did. When we entered the waiting room, I could feel the aspiring actors scanning me from head to toe. Sticky, mocking gazes followed. It was as if they were saying, Oh my, an idol has arrived, huh? What will the drama be about today? Feeling slightly excited, I turned to my manager. Manager, my throat is a bit dry. Could you please buy me some water? Of course!! He quickly seated me in a corner and rushed out to buy water. The drink was just an excuse; I really just wanted to get rid of him. Since entering the waiting room, I had been receiving prickling stares. Clearly, these people recognized my face. Some who didnt know me took a quick nce and moved on, but those who realized I was an idol returned unpleasant res. Moreover, this audition was for the famous Writer Kim Sukhuis work. As aspiring actors or rising stars, they wouldnt want me to snatch their opportunity away. For now, I decided to quietly open the script. In the first and second episodes, my character, Lee Jeonghun, didnt appear much. The most he did was sh with the protagonist a few times. Hmm. It didnt really matter since I had already read the scenes. As I casually flipped through the script Hello? At the moment when I was lost in the script, I heard a voice seemingly directed at me. Youre Seo Hoyun, right? Wow, straight to the point. I finally looked up and saw a man with a neat impression. He was smiling brightly, but his eyes revealed his irritation and contempt. He looked familiar. My name is Lee Kangseok, an actor. Ah, Im Seo Hoyun. I heard youre doing well these days So, youre trying your hand at acting now? It seemed like nothing at first nce, but his words had a subtle sting to them, especially in this waiting room full of cutting gazes. Ding! [Why is the entertainment industry always like this?? Is it hard to go even a day without causing a fuss??] Well, I was having fun. Today, the system was annoyed on my behalf. I raised an eyebrow at him in response. Lee Kangseok I remembered his face from beforeing here. We hadnt worked together, but Id heard rumors about him. A brownnoser. It had been a while since Ist encountered this kind of attitude in the industry, so I faintly smiled. Should I show you how to act? It seems like you need some practice before the audition Oh~. Ah, I dont think I have time to help you with this audition. Maybe contact me sometime. I dont think I can help you here Oh Wow, that might be possible~. In truth, I didnt need or even think about passing this audition, so I casually answered and let his following remarks go in one ear and out the other. Or rather, I pretended to let them go. Thanks to that, Lee Kangseoks face boiled with anger. Ding! [Subtly serving revenge like a pro] Um, Lee Kangseok. I nced at him. Since he made my boring time more enjoyable, I genuinely and encouragingly clenched my fist. It was a fighting pose. Good luck with the audition. I hope you pass. = So I will fail in the first round. ?? While Lee Kangseok was still stunned and had even forgotten to be sarcastic, a staff member opened the audition room door and came out. The actor who had gone in earlier appeared behind them. Seo Hoyun, pleasee in. Yes. As I stood up, I gave a small smile to the still-stiff Lee Kangseok. The staff unintentionally drew peoples attention to me. He looked around at the atmosphere before shaking their head and pushing me into the audition room. A long table was inside, and five people were seated in a row. The director, the PD, the AD, the rest seemed to be studio staff, and one was the writer. Hello, Seo Hoyun. Kim Sukhui, the writer. The one who wrote the script for Please Take the Camera and created the character of Lee Jeonghun. Hello. I greeted her and walked to the center. My name is Seo Hoyun. *** Hes here!! Three of the production staff did not like Seo Hoyun from the beginning. The writer, who had been expressing positive feelings towards Hoyun from the start, and the staff member, who brought the idol to try to raise the ratings, didnt seem to mind. However, Director Yu was disappointed. So, an active idol finally enters my directing life!! Hoyun lowered his eyes and waited quietly. His face, cleaned of stage makeup, was much neater than expected, and his coldly raised eyes were tense. But the director decided not to be intimidated and to try and provoke him. Ah, youre from The Dawn, right? Ive enjoyed watching Shining Star. = Why did an idol like youe here? Really? Thank you. = Hi A light quarrel ensued before the audition began. The studio staff led the proceedings, and Director Yu grumbled while flipping through the script. I dont know if youve read the script. You must be busy. Director. The AD quickly tried to stop him, but the director had already made up his mind to be provocative. The atmosphere in the audition room became tense, but Seo Hoyun calmly answered without any reaction. Yes, Ive read it. Okay, lets start then. As soon as the studio staff finished speaking, Seo Hoyun ced the script on the floor. The staff member picked up the microphone again. Arent you going to read the script? I memorized it. Ugh, he must have been watching a drama somewhere. The director didnt usually have a negative view of people who tried to appeal to themselves like this. At least they were diligent enough not to mess up the shooting. But if that person was an idol, it was a different story. He just didnt like everything about him from head to toe. He couldnt let an idol ruin the perfect script and the perfect cast (including Min Jiheon and Yu Jia). Honestly, at first, Director Yu wasnt very happy about Yu Jia either. She was not a bad choice, but she was also a singer. But the reason why he changed his mind 180 degrees about Jia was because of an indie film she appeared in a few years ago as a supporting actress. Because of its low budget and newbie director, the film couldnt be released for various reasons and was only screened in a few small theatresst year. Yet, it received rave reviews and was even invited to prestigious international film festivals. Film critics, especially, unanimously praised Jia. The image of Jia, the cute and lovable queen of romanticedies, was still vivid as she stared at the dawn with her clear eyes on the stairs of a semi-basement. That was really wow, amazing. Director Yus ability was acknowledged by everyone. But he was also very stubborn, had strong preconceptions and prejudices, and had a firm philosophy about acting. He couldnt ept someone he didnt acknowledge, even if they were just a supporting actor. Sigh ratings are the real enemy, the enemy. The director clicked his tongue. Initially, the character of Lee Jeonghun, who Hoyun was auditioning for, was set as a 33-year-old genius, a famous producer who had earned all sorts of genius titles. But here they were, putting a 23-year-old idol who debuted just over a year ago, or rather, a few months ago as Seo Hoyun, into the candidate pool for that character. The calm acting without depth, which didnt match his experience and was unrefined, could easily seem ridiculous. No matter if Min Jiheon ising, do we look that ridiculous to them?? Damn it! Lets start from here. Yes, thank you. The scene of Lee Jeonghuns appearance at the broadcasting station was when the protagonist, Yu Jeonghwa, greeted him enthusiastically. But Lee Jeonghun responded indifferently and talked to other staff members instead. It was a part where Lee Jeonghuns impudent personality was strongly revealed. Next to them, the AD slowly read Yu Jeonghwas lines. Hello, Senior Lee Jeonghun! Seo Hoyun slowly turned his head. Until then, Director Yu had been looking closely at the script. The AD read the lines like reading a Korean textbook. I saw you earlier on the rooftop! Im Yu Jeonghwa, who joined as a new recruit! Ive been watching the one you directed as an AD, Please Be a Cook, very attentively. Ah, yes. The one who is good at social life. Ah, ahahaha. Voice. The director suddenly looked up. The AD, who had been tilting his head slightly, also took over the lines of the minor role. Have we decided on the location? Ah, no. We havent decided yet. You still havent chosen one? What the, the diction is good. It was neither too heavy nor light. It was the exact voice you would hear all the time in a broadcasting station, dry but exuding the fatigue unique to the ce. Seo Hoyuns eyes lingered in the air as if looking at an invisible person in front of him before dropping. What have you been doing all this time, then? Well, the thing is, the budget for thest location didnt match our expectations so we might need to look for more options. Wow. Seo Hoyunughed brightly. Its the first time Ive seen someone embezzling their sry like this. !! Why are you telling me this now when were already short on time and still havent chosen the location, not to mention the insufficient budget? For a moment, the writer saw the Lee Jeonghun she had imagined pass by. Seo Hoyun perfectly reproduced the impudence of Lee Jeonghun in the script as he twisted his neck with a click. Uh, uh, that. Thanks to that, even the AD in front of him was genuinely terrified. Im sorry! Its not my fault no, it is! Yes! Thats your fault, too! Uh, ugh!! Please, stop! He continued saying the same words. Amazing! For the writer, it was indeed an overwhelming moment. Her created character was alive and breathing right in front of her!! In the end, the lines of the minor role, who burst into tears and ran away, flowed out of the ADs mouth with great vitality. Seo Hoyun finished his tirade, swore under his breath, and sighed deeply. He looked tired. Thats Yu Jeonghwa, right? Yes, yes!! Its not easy to be selected as a new recruit. You must be talented. So Well, I mayck experience, but Im confident I can work hard if you trust me. Yes? As Seo Hoyun continued indifferently, he suddenly looked up. Yu Jeonghwas lines continued innocently without any hint. I, starting from today, will be working under you, director!! Yeees?? Seo Hoyun, looking alternately at the AD and the empty space (presumably Yu Jeonghwa), closed his mouth tightly after opening it a few times in disbelief. The story was that a director on bad terms with Lee Jeonghun intentionally assigned the leastpetent new employee as a personnel supplement, iming it was a personnel reinforcement. Unknowingly, Director Yu had be absorbed in Seo Hoyuns more natural portrayal of Lee Jeonghun. The script was up to this point Originally, it should have ended there. Im going crazy. For real. However, Seo Hoyun did not finish with just that but went further. As if he couldnt stop, as if he was really immersed in the role. It wasnt the truth. It was just that the memory of being annoyed had slowly resurfaced. This is how you get screwed over. Huh?? Seo Hoyun bit his tongue. He frantically searched his jackets inner pocket before stopping and pulling his hand out. Seo Hoyun sighed, seemingly annoyed, and swept his hair back, then smiled brightly. Everyone forgot that Lee Jeonghun was a jerk of a PD, and they became engrossed as they looked at him. Jeonghwa, newbie. Yes, yep?! Shall I buy you a coffee downstairs? What do you like? Coffee? Yes. Have something expensive. Its not an opportunity you get often. Coffee? Ah, yes! Seo Hoyun, lets stop here! Seo Hoyun, holding back swearing, turned his body to face the end of the ADsmand and bowed his head. At that moment, Writer Kim Sukhui raised her hand. Lee Jeong No, Seo Hoyun. Yes. Undoubtedly, the figure standing before him after bowing was the idol Seo Hoyun. But why did he look like he was wearing a more fitting shell as Lee Jeonghun? Director Yu released the breath he had been holding because of the sense of incongruity. On the other hand, the writer asked a question with a bright smile. What were you looking for in your jacket just now? It wasnt in the script. Writer Kim Sukhui was very curious as to why Seo Hoyun had made such a move. To that question, Seo Hoyun answered very calmly and naturally. Cigarettes. Excuse me? Everyone was momentarily dumbfounded by the unexpected word from the idol. The writer, who regained her senses, followed up. Why were you looking for a cigarette just now? Seo Hoyun stared at the writer, then rolled his eyes as if slightly troubled. And eventually, he answered bluntly. I was frustrated. Why? Theres so much work piling up, but the new person wasnt someone who could be immediately put to work. On top of that, were already short-staffed I wondered if the HR team was crazy for really sending someone like this just because a director ordered it I think it would be better for Yu Jeonghwa to be in a rtively peaceful weekday morning entertainment team rather than this crazy survival variety. Thats why I felt like looking for a cigarette. Was this a response that coulde from a 23-year-old idol? But why did you put it away? I thought about it and held back because its a broadcasting station. If that director was really in front of me, I might have smoked it. Just to show him. Is he crazy? The director looked surprised at the perfect response, as if it was scripted. No, whats with this seriously annoyed look? Feeling puzzled, the director asked once more. Then why did you offer to buy coffee? Huh? Oh. Seo Hoyun rubbed the back of his neck. I cant win anymore, so I was trying to be a little nicer, so he wont run away. Newbies tend to run away if they are treated like this. To put shackles on a newbie (to be a ve), you needed to buy them lots of delicious food and be nice to them for the first month, then once they became somewhat used to the job, you casually scold them with a smile and gentle words. Theyd then calmly and quietly get used to the facts. Getting loud makes them feel inferior. Unbelievable. The writer held back herughter and directed the following scene. Episode 1, Scene 26, meeting with the main character Min Seungtae. Yes. Afterward, Seo Hoyun did another excellent job. His precise diction came out naturally yet urately, and it had a charm that captivated the audience. Most of all, that expression. The face that seemed to say I want to go home quickly, but since no one else is doing it, I have to finish this and go looked like a real veteran with a level 99 office worker vibe. Wow. The director silently admired him. For someone who hadnt experienced working in an office to have that kind of expression, it meant they had extraordinary observational skills. It was truly a great misunderstanding. The director watched Seo Hoyuns acting intently. And just as the AD was about to call the scene, the previous audition participants had been ordered to do Episode 2, Scene 7, the full-fledged quarrel between Yu Jeonghwa and Lee Jeonghun. Wait. Yes? The director stopped him. Seo Hoyun, who had been standing still, slightly furrowed his eyebrows. Lets do some improv acting instead of using the script. That was equivalent to the directors rebellion. The directorughed bitterly to himself, grinding his teeth. No matter how hard Seo Hoyun had prepared, he couldnt possibly perfectly mimic PD Lee Jeonghuns garbage-like behavior (drinking, smoking, swearing, threatening) without a script.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 83 Chapter 83 Improv? Yes. The director stared at Seo Hoyun with wide-open eyes. If youve read the script, youd know that PD Lee Jeonghun is smart but rude, speaks bluntly, and loves making fun of others. Hes a top-notch jerk. And thats not all. He sometimes resorts to threats without caring about the means. . In short, hes a trashy person. Is that so? Seo Hoyun muttered hesitantly. Yet, no one refuted the directors words. The writer even proudly agreed, saying while giving a thumbs-up, Thats right, hes aplete piece of trash! So, Id like to see how close Seo Hoyun can get to PD Lee Jeonghun. Um. As I said earlier, PD Lee Jeonghun drinks alcohol and smokes cigarettes. Plus, he has a foul mouth. Hes the kind of person who does everything people say not to do. Yes. Frankly, alcohol and cigarettes were merely offensive elements, so even if PD Lee Jeonghun had such a setting, there was no need to act out those parts for the role. However, the director just wanted to test him. Lets see how far he can go. He wanted to see how far this brave and powerful-looking idol could go. Ive offended him! In reality, Seo Hoyun was already disgusted by the directors tant fronting, but the director, misinterpreting it as him being pressured, proudly said, To be honest, it might be a bit rough for an idol to take on this role. Im fine with that. Although Seo Hoyun wondered if he was being too eager, his response was half out of hope that he would pass the audition and half out of wanting to impress the writer as a passionate rookie. Unaware of this, the director was touched to the point of being choked up. He still wants to try acting even if it hurts his idol image Thats incredible. The misunderstanding only deepened. While the desire to give this fearless and desperate idol the role of Lee Jeonghun grew stronger, the director quickly shook his head. If its okay, could you show me some of your acting as PD Lee Jeonghun? Excuse me? Swearing, alcohol, cigarettes everything PD Lee Jeonghun loves. Director! Beside him, the AD looked over with pleading eyes, but it wasnt enough to dissuade the director, who was determined to test Seo Hoyun. He probably cant do it, right? However, Seo Hoyun merely tilted his head slightly. Should I start with swearing? Yes? As the production staff was taken aback, Seo Hoyun hesitated for a moment before pulling a chair to the center and sitting down with his shoulders straight. Who should I direct the swear words at? The department head. Their rtionship is bad in the setting. Ah. Seo Hoyun chuckled. He touched the corner of his mouth and nced at the director momentarily. Swearing at the department head. Yes, just say whateveres to mind. Casually. Alright. I apologize, but please keep everything I say here a secret Im still an idol, after all. What kind of amazing thing was he trying to do? The director slightly furrowed his brows, and in that instant, Seo Hoyun broke hisposed sitting posture, crossed his legs arrogantly, and looked up at the ceiling. Um Department head. Seo Hoyun curled his lips as if he was thinking of something. Our department head. And then, he opened his mouth. (beep) like (beep-)brains stuck on (beep) ratings, I know, he should hide it, but he dares topare that program to mine, even dares to then he asked for more (beep) staff, saying its not enough, while all the (beep) work from elsewhere is being piled on us, he gets to eat all the benefits while closing hid mouths and pretending to be (beep) innocent, it makes the viewers feel (beep) Is that enough? What did I just hear? Yes, its enough. It wasnt too bad. Yes, I understand. The director looked extremely flustered but tried to act casual as he shakily sipped water. His hand trembled and spilled some, but he wiped his chin as if nothing happened. Well, that could happen. Anyone can curse well, even if its not specifically PD Lee Jeonghun. It wasnt a vulgar curse, but rather a curse that seemed to express a PDs desperation in Yeouido For now, he could do it well, yes. Seo Hoyun stared quietly at the shaken director and wiped his chin. If its not enough, should we try the version of an overbearing star instead of the PD? No, no more! Thats enough! Yes. Seo Hoyun closed his mouth neatly. Then, the director quickly moved on to the next topic. Lee Jeonghun is also famous for his drinking skills! Not only is he a heavy drinker, but he also knows how to handle alcohol after meeting various types of people! It seems like a lot of detail has been added? Even though Kim Sukhui, the writer watching with interest, whispered from the side, the director remained firm. The AD nced at the director with a bored expression. Theres no way theyd ask him to prove his drinking skills by suddenly drinking alcohol during the audition, so how could they ask him to show that? However, the director was truly a formidable lunatic. Alright! Seo Hoyun! Please show us your drinking skills! Its, its a setting! What were you telling an idol to do right now! The AD scolded the director in shock. But Seo Hoyun was Seo Hoyun. After hearing that, he calmly stood up and picked up a stic soda bottle. Ill borrow this. Ah, do you have a paper cup? Yes? Oh Yes. With this, hmm Although the neck is a bit short, it should work. Please hold the paper cup. Seo Hoyun casually opened the soda bottle, snapped his wrist mboyantly, and poured the drink into the paper cup from a distance. !! What is this?? It was pure astonishment. The director stared wide-eyed at the paper cup in his hand. Seo Hoyun tilted his head slightly and murmured. Hmm, as expected, the neck is too short. If it were a soju bottle, it would be cleaner. Yes? Next, please. Give me the paper cup. And he even managed to sessfully pour the drinks into the AD and the writers paper cups with his brilliant alcohol skillsno, soda-pouring skills. What on earth is this?? An idol who knew how to unt alcohol skills?? Everyone drank the drink in the paper cups with bewitched expressions, but Seo Hoyun simply closed the cap without drinking. Details? Could it be a detail representing PD Lee Jeonghuns personality, who learned drinking skills because he didnt want to get drunk? It was just because Seo Hoyun didnt want to drink, but the director, now thoroughly enchanted by him, misunderstood it in his own way. However, since he had worked all night and gone through a lot of trouble preparing for the show, the director couldnt readily admit it. Alright! Since he prepared a scene anyway, he wanted to use it even if it was a waste! The director clenched his eyes tightly. Then, cigarettes! They say PD Lee Jeonghun smokes at least a pack a day!! His lungs are as ck as his personality!! Director!! It kinda hurts. Seo Hoyun muttered under his breath, but everyone was too excited to hear it. The AD poked the directors side in annoyance. Do you want him to smoke here?? Are you crazy? Its indoors! No, just pretend! Just pretend! Ugh well, fine. Seo Hoyun, youve shown us everything else, so can you at least pretend? Here, Ill lend you my cigarette. Despite it being the most straightforward request so far, Seo Hoyun stared strangely at the Malboro Gold that the AD held out to him. And then, he fell silent with a slightly awkward expression. Huh? It was a strange urrence for Seo Hoyun, who had never refused a cigarette until now. Seo Hoyun deliberately turned his gaze away from the cigarette offered by the staff and asked, Um, can I not a real cigarette, but use candy instead? What? I have candy. Well, okay. Wasnt it easier to act with a real cigarette? Did he dislike cigarettes? Regardless, it didnt matter. It was his choice. Just as the AD was about to put away the pack of cigarettes, Seo Hoyun approached and asked him again. Can I borrow a lighter? Yes. Here you go. Seo Hoyun, bowing his head slightly, rummaged through his pocket and indeed pulled out a stick of candy. He then let out a deep sigh and said, Lets begin. Gulp. Everyone swallowed nervously. Whats so nerve-wracking about someone smoking a cigarette? Moreover, the guy was a 23-year-old idol who was not even holding a real cigarette but candy in one hand and a lighter in the other! Yet, everyones gazes were irresistibly drawn to Seo Hoyun. Huff Nheless, Seo Hoyun showed no signs of nervousness as he held the lighter he received from the AD in one hand and flicked it open with irritation. Fuck, its not working Then, he pretended to shield the lighter from the wind and tried it again. Finally, it seemed to catch fire as Seo Hoyun sucked the end of the candy so hard his cheeks hollowed out. He slumped into a chair and tilted his head. He stared nkly at the ceiling for a moment and exhaled a long breath as if blowing out smoke. Cigarette smoke? For an instant, the director, AD, and writer all had the illusion that they saw cigarette smokeing from the candy Seo Hoyun was holding. Just as if a halo erupted behind a handsome actor in a domestic ult movie, they all believed it As they all stared, entranced, Seo Hoyun flicked off the imaginary ash from his candy and muttered, Life is really Always so shitty Hes insane. It was just Lee Jeonghun. There was nothing more to see. This was just Lee Jeonghun. In the minds of all the judges looking at him, Seo Hoyun the Idol waspletely gone, reced by Lee Jeonghun the Genius PD. They couldnt help but think that he must pass the first round.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 84 Chapter 84 Wow Whether the director and the production crew were excited or not, I was already slightly regrettinging to this audition. I really want to smoke And did the AD even think I would smoke those absurdly awful cigarettes? As if life wasnt hard enough already, I had to resist the urge to smoke and resort to sucking on a candy stick, causing me to swear. No, Hoyun. You held back well. Anyway, I quickly put aside my sickening sentimentality and nced around, noticing that most people were either whispering with serious faces or checking their scripts. Among them, only the writer had a bright expression while the director was seriously looking at my profile again. Seo Hoyun, is this really your first time acting? Yes, its my first time. Thats unbelievable How could you be so natural? It was all just experience that brought out this acting In fact, I wasnt really acting but pouring out my emotions from real-life experiences Honestly, Im really conflicted. I didnt think a twenty-three-year-old woulde for this role Of course. Did it make sense? However, the director seemed to be considering his own touching points, like a judge in an audition program. Im a little shaken. You seem to have good observational skills. Thats an overstatement. The director, who muttered that I resembled Lee Junghoon in shamelessness, was already sending me love-filled gazes, which made me feel more burdened. Where did the initial atmosphere go? Everyoneughed like children in the warm atmosphere. I wanted to see more improvs, if possible, but were running out of time. Hmm Its a shame Hmm, I see. So, Im eliminated? Somehow, I got too immersed, but it was still better to be eliminated. The director stroked his chin, seemingly disappointed, so I waited patiently for his following words. It turned out to be unexpected. Have you finished all your activitiestely? Yes? We cant adjust the shooting schedule to the supporting actors. Yeah Im pretty much free now. Understood. Well keep that in mind. Thank you for your hard work, Seo Hoyun. I briefly thought about the meaning of his words, then bowed my head and left the audition room. Shouldnt he be a survival audition judge instead of a director? His nitpicking was no joke. Well, the feeling was a bit off, but there were still tasks to be done. *** Even though the audition was over, I deliberately hid from my manager and went to the broadcasting stations caf. I found out that Writer Kim had a serious caffeine addiction. After taking care of various things, I was feeling a sugar crash, so I ordered a mocha frappino and killed some time. Then, Writer Kim walked in. Wow! Isnt this PD Lee Junghoon? Ahahaha. Right on cue, Writer Kim started the conversation. I naturally threw away all the carefully nned lines in my head and greeted her with a bright smile. Hello, Writer Kim. You did a great job at the audition earlier. Is now a good time? Yes, of course. She even spoon-fed me. Well, I had to ept it. But a strange message popped up in the system window. Ding! [Manager is waiting! Please return quickly!!] ? I nced at the system window and sat down with Writer Kim, and we started chatting amicably. Im really grateful for your help earlier. It was my first time, so I was very nervous, but thanks to Writer Kims kindness, I was able to perform as prepared. Oh my, you have such eloquent speech. Could a nervous person show off their drinking skills too? Hahaha. Weughed heartily, and Writer Kim Sukhui smiled warmly. Thank you so much foring to the audition. What if you didnte? Actually, I pushed quite hard for you, Seo Hoyun, so I was really worried about what would happen if your acting skills wereckingbut it turned out to be a needless worry. Pushed? Yeah. Honestly, the production staff didnt like it, but you know why. They think an actors acting is safer than an idols acting. Of course, many idols are good at acting, but. Writer Kim Sukhui pointed her finger at where the audition had taken ce. I could already tell the answer just by looking at the directors expression earlier. Im stillcking a lot, but Im grateful you are looking at me favorably. Oh my, this response is exactly like Lee Jeonghun himself. Writer Kim expressed her opinion openly. She brought up the main point as I smiled and pondered her inexplicable favoritism. Actually, I referred a lot to Seo Hoyun in building the character of Lee Jeonghun. Really? I diligently watched all of Shining Star. It was really intense back then You got the nickname No Makeup and all. Of course, when building the character, I took bits and pieces from various people, but I strangely liked Seo Hoyun the most. Huh That was the first time Ive heard that. I a tad changed my thoughts. It could have really been a coincidence, right? However, some of me still doubted that creating a character simr to me was possible, not just in personality but in basic settings, just from a single show. So, I said to her, I thought you had a specific person in mind for the character of Lee Jeonghun because it was so detailed. Huh? Really? Yes. Like a real PD from a TV station, for example. I sneakily threw bait out there. However, Writer Kim just tilted her head andughed. Ahahaha, there was no exact motive. I just borrowed some personalities from people around me. Is that so It didnt seem like she was lying. As I was sipping my mocha frappino, the system window kept popping up, bothering me. Ding! Ding! Ding! Why is this happening? It was like a malicious program installed on aputer, constantly popping up, and I momentarily looked at it. I could ignore it, but all the messages wanted me to return. It was as if they were hoping I wouldnt be involved in this side of things. Anyway, Ill be looking forward to it. Of course, its not confirmed yet. There are some people who are skeptical about us casting you. Yes, I understand. I just want to push you as much as possible. I didnt want that Although I didnt n on getting involved in a drama as Lee Jeonghun, I couldnt help but immerse myself in it once I started. I wanted to pass the audition to the actor Lee Kangseok, but Writer Kim already seemed to have her sights set on me, even saying scary things like should we modify the settings a bit? I got nothing. Should I just let it go? As I was feeling a bit empty and touching my lips, Writer Kim added, But Min Jiheon is pushing for Seo Hoyun quite a bit, isnt he? Yes? I lifted my head in surprise at the unexpected remark. Thats impossible. We have no personal connection. Huh? At my words, Writer Kim seemed even more puzzled. She scratched her head. Thats strange. I thought Seo Hoyun and Min Jiheon were close friends. Why did you think that? Remember I said that I watched Shining Star. I actually dont know much about idols. I happened to go to the Please Serve Cider wrap-up party while worrying about my next work. When I mentioned that I wanted to create a unique character, Min Jiheon said Whatwhat did he say? He said that there were many charming friends on Shining Star. Among them, Seo Hoyun has a very unique personality, so give it a try What did you say? This was quite surprising. It must have shown on my face as Writer Kim awkwardlyughed. Well, I dont really know whats going on with young people these days Ahahaha! Anyway, I watched the reruns of the program diligently, and the character Lee Jeonghun came to mind, so the scenario was created in no time! Im grateful to Min Jiheon. Plus, I got to know a treasure like Seo Hoyun. Writer Kim patted my shoulder and stood up first as I tried to keep my expression in check. Ill be looking forward to seeing you again. Good news, I hope. Yes. Please be careful on your way. Although Writer Kim left with the warm hope that Id meet her expectations, my head was filled with confusion. Why, of all people? Min Jiheon. An actor I thought Id never have any connection with, as he was mysterious and I once a variety show PD. I remembered his distinctive talking stylesluggish speech in which he dragged out the ends of his words and his eyes cast down. Thest time I saw him, he acted uninterested in me, so I was going to ignore him and move on. This isnt normal. I gulped down the melted mocha frappino and got up from my seat when the system window popped up. Ding! [Do not meet with Min Jiheon.] Huh. The jumbled thoughts in my head immediately came to one conclusion, and I picked up my phone to search for his contact and sent a message. Me: Hello, Min Jiheon-sunbae. This is Seo Hoyun from the idol group The Dawn under the same agency.] Taking a moment to catch my breath, I added another message. Me: If its okay with you, could you spare some time to meet?] *** Min Jiheon. He could well be considered the most aplished actor in their 20s in Korea. After struggling in the theater scene of Chungmuro, he was cast in a Daepaseong Entertainment project by chance. He then gained minor poprity as a supporting actor in a weekend drama and made a name for himself. Afterward, his supporting role in a movie, which became an unexpected blockbuster with over 10 million movie tickets sold, led to a meteoric rise in poprity, and he became a Hallyu star as the secondary male lead in a primetime drama series. Of course, most of his subsequent works were hits. Although there were asional flops, there was no controversy surrounding him as the lead actor, as his basic acting skills supported him. [Did Min Jiheon receive a heavenly blessing? Why Acting skills] He was the sole pir of Daepaseong Entertainment, recognized by the majority of the public. Defining the rtionship between him and me would be merely exchanging greetings as sunbae and hoobae. But we were never close enough for him to favor me as a hoobae. Min Jiheon: Ahh!! What was this? Min Jiheon: Why are you texting me now? Haha What was this sudden familiarity? I headed to a small restaurant after receiving a brief message about the meeting location and at what time. I told the members and the manager that I would be meeting with my younger sibling, so I might be a bitte. Arriving first, I was guided to the reserved room and waited for a while before Min Jiheon entered. Hello~. Yes, hello. He was still blunt, but he seemed somehow more excited than usual. Whats going on? As I greeted him politely, I ignored the still-hovering warning window. Min Jiheon only gave me a slight smile, seemingly delighted, and opened the menu as soon as he sat down. Lets eat first. Yes, Ill eat whatever you rmend. Really? Then Ill order something appropriate. Min Jiheon called an employee and said, Please give us two sets of Course C, two servings of yukgaejang[1], three servings of tteokgalbi[2], two servings of abalone bibimbap, and three servings of galbijjim[3]. I cant eat that much. Oh, thats for me. I was about to order for Seo Hoyun separately. Youre going to eat all that by yourself? Yes. I recalled how Min Jiheons manager had jokingly called him a pig during our trip to Jeju Ind. He wasnt even an athlete; how could he eat more than ten servings in one meal when hes an actor? However, such a blunt Min Jiheon didnt affect the employees expression in the slightest. I quickly added another menu item, and the employee quietly closed the door and left. Min Jiheon spoke first. I really meant to contact you first, but I realized I didnt have your number. Ive only given mine. I was worried about contacting thepany. Didnt you say it was bothersome to contact? Ahaha, I must have said that back then. Min Jiheon closed his eyes andughed. Ive heard a lot about you, Seo Hoyunhere and thereand it was quite fun. I was also waiting for you to contact me. ? Did you go to the audition? He went straight to the point before the rice scoop was even ced. I didnt mind people with brief introductions, so I nodded. Thanks to you, I had a good audition. Ah, really? Min Jiheon-sunbae, Writer Kim said that you rmended me As I tried to get into the nitty-gritty, the employee came in and quickly set the table. The flow of the atmosphere was interrupted as the side dishes and main menu were spread out. The employee left, and I tried to start the conversation again, but Min Jiheons eyes sparkled too much as he picked up his chopsticks. Why did you Oh, why is this even more delicious. Why did you rmend me? Wow! What is this? Its delicious, too. Hasnt the chef here improved? Are you listening to me? Oops. He clearly wasnt listening. This kid. I was slightly annoyed, and Min Jiheon stealthily nced at me and pushed the side dish. Seo Hoyun, try this first. If you dont want to, never mind. Sorry. Its been a while since Ive seen such an unapologetic person. Eventually, I closed my mouth and stared at him quietly, and Min Jiheon grumbled quietly, saying, Even Mount Kumgang is a sight to see after a meal. Didnt you pick this ce to talk quietly? Um No, its just that this ce is delicious. He was telling me to just shut up and eat. I took a deep breath and calmed my heart. It didnt matter that he was the difficult type for me to deal with. Ill shake him up. No one in this world didnt have a dark side. If something awkward came up after exchanging a few words, I could catch the tail of the conversation and shake it up like a nket. Its delicious. Min Jiheon where was all that rice going? He ate endlessly. Even I, a rice lover, got tired of him and put down my chopsticks. I didnt really touch the food since I ate beforehand. In the meantime, I took a quick look at the system window. The system window was strangely quiet, which would normally have been buzzing with excitement and sending lots of messages. [Get out of there.] Nope, I dont want to. Judging by the system windows strange behavior, I was determined to dig deeper into Min Jiheon. I stared at Min Jiheon as he finally put down his spoon after scraping and eating from thest dish. Im sorry. I lose my mind when I see food. You seem to be like that. Youre honest. Min Jiheons eyes widened in surprise. The conversation may have seemed somewhat off, but it was good in any case. The conversation started again. Min Jiheon wiped his mouth and shook his head. Anyway you asked why I rmended you. Yes. Honestly, Im not that close with you, sunbae. Is that true? But I was curious why you went out of your way to do that. Maybe the CEO pushed you. Ah. There was no push from the CEO I was just curious. Thats why I rmended you. What were you curious about? If I knew that, Id know how the script and settings came to be, whether Min Jiheon knew something, and why the system window kept warning me. I didnt know what made himugh at my question, but Min Jiheon gave me a big grin. You know nothing.[4] Did I know nothing? What kind of nonsense was this? The employees cleared the table, and Min Jiheon sipped the tea brought in for dessert. He made a mischievous face and dragged on. Lets see~, you seemed older than me. As if he were a fortune-teller in a drama, looking at the protagonists fate. Can I call you hyung? What was this absurd nonsense? [1] Spicy beef (usually shredded) soup with vegetables [2] Grilled short rib patties [3] Braised beef short ribs [4] The raw was unclear if this was a question or a statement.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 85 Chapter 85 I failed to maintain myposure. If I were to be honest Min Jiheon was younger than me. But thats not possible now. Ive be younger. Do I look that old? I frowned tantly and acted as if I had heard a bad joke. Im twenty-three. Im younger than Min Jiheon. Aha, so youre twenty-three now? Min Jiheonughed as though hed heard something amusing. When hisughter subsided, he seemed momentarily lost in thought before crossing his arms and looking at me up and down. But his gaze was strangely chilling, as if he were looking at something behind me, not me About thirty-three? ! A red warning light shed in my head, and chills ran up my spine instantly. Regardless, Min Jiheon looked at me while biting his lip. No is it a bit more? Im not sure about this. Oh, it seems like I just made a rhyme, didnt I?[1] With a narrowed gaze, I watched Min Jiheon as he muttered, is it is it not Has he gone mad? Could he have guessed this just by throwing it out there? My thought process was slightly twisted, but as someone who had been a chatterbox for 32 years, I unconsciously let my mouth run. What are you talking about? Is this a candid camera? Min Jiheon, who had been mumbling to himself, just shed a meaningful smile. Youre back, right? With his eyes even more narrowed, Min Jiheon looked behind me as if groping for something. No, I didnt think it was possible, but was a camera installed somewhere? If I were to get caught talking nonsense here, wouldnt it be a disaster? Ill admit that youre really good at acting, sunbae. So, wheres the camera installed? Um hyung. First of all, I think I need to give you some additional exnation about me. Have you ever heard that theres only a thin line between a shaman and an entertainer? It seemed like Id heard of it before. But I didnt have the energy to listen to such nonsense at the moment. Min Jiheon ignored my tense gaze and continued his story. Im not a shaman~ My family is ordinary, but um, Ive been able to see many things that I shouldnt have. So, when I was young, I had a lot of trouble. Min Jiheon calmlyid out his story as if he was exining a character he was ying. If I dont disperse this energy somehow, malicious spirits will really rush in like crazy. So, thats why I act. What? Dont misunderstand. I really like acting too. Min Jiheon yfully tapped his cheek. Yeah, it seems like you really like it. So, is your next role as a shaman? Ahaha, my next project is Please Take the Camera. I havent yed a shaman yet. Min Jiheon justughed, like someone enjoying a night out. His gaze was still wandering somewhere other than on me. So, after seeing and experiencing so many different things your case was a first for me. It was a bit confusing after a long time. Ive never seen something like this before. I remembered Min Jiheons words when he looked at me back in Jeju Ind.[2] At that time, I thought it was just a simple provocation. Min Jiheon stopped his wandering gaze and stared directly into my eyes, muttering. Is it a person or a ghost? Ding! [WARNING! Im warning you. Get out now.] The system window disyed a strong warning that I had never seen before. Beyond the rising warning window, Min Jiheonsughing face was visible. What was your original job? How did you be an idol? Your skills were quite impressive. [WARNING! Im warning you again. Get out immediately.] The once-loose atmosphere tightened up in an instant. The dozens of system windows appearing in front of me lent credibility to Min Jiheons words. This was not a staged candid camera but an actual situation. It was time to change my stance. What is it? How can you believe that nonsense about seeing ghosts? Min Jiheon was an actor, a very outstanding one, even deserving the title of national actor. Fooling the audience came naturally to actors like him; how easy it must be for him to fool someone like me. I spat out my words while looking at him with a cold gaze. Stop the nonsense and get to the point. I needed to figure out how he knew my information. This was inside a game. So far, the only person who remembered me was my younger sibling. Even if he somehow investigated me, there should be nothing he could discover. Min Jiheon rubbed the corner of his eye and let out a slightly awkwardugh. Hmm, youre quite a scary type, huh? Its okay; I understand that its sudden and suspicious. But Im really just trying to help. At that moment, Min Jiheon gently touched the bracelet on his wrist. Showing it directly would be the most reliable, right? A ck bead was strung on the jingling bracelet. I caught his eyes, which were unusually wavering in the odd atmosphere. Youll want to know too. Yes? Im wondering what to show you But first, you need to agree. This might hurt a bit. Min Jiheon now spoke very clearly. It was unbelievablepared to the person I met earlier. I wiped my dumbfounded face. Heh. What was I doing here? I couldnt help but let out a hollowugh. Fine, I dont know what it is, but give it a try. You did a great job with this concept isnt the CEO behind this? Ahaha, I dont think the CEO knows. Anywayyou agreed, right? A wave of regret hit me instantly. I thought that following this chuunibyou-concept guy wouldnt lead to any answers. Still, half of me wanted to see how far hed go, and the other half wanted to cling to any straw for answers. I did say it might hurt I warned you. Min Jiheon rolled up his sleeve and stared at me intently while fiddling with the bracelet. Are you apologizing in advance? ? And the moment Min Jiheon shook the bracelet Ugh I felt a tightening sensation in all my blood vessels at that moment and leaned forward. The words flowed out of Min Jiheons mouth. Emptying the. What, what? A wave of pain surged up from my stomach as if being stabbed by sharp objects. I clenched my teeth and tightly gripped the table as I red at him. Min Jiheon was looking at me while also not looking at me. He was looking at something beyond, something unknowable. Its not a just because theres a His voice echoed in my ears like a slithering snake yet also muddled as if submerged underwater. With my ears feeling like they were filled with water, the system windows warning sound rang alongside the screeching noise. Ding! [WARNING!] Gah! Gulping, something lumpy rose from my throat. I hurriedly covered my mouth with a napkin and spat it out, but I had no idea what it was. My vision was spinning, and the pain was so intense that I wasnt in my right mind. Ding! [WARNING!] [WARNING!] [WARNING!] Considering the . Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong! Ding- ding- . An unbelievable incident urred. The warning window suddenly disappeared. Everything flowed like slow-motion in a movie. The emotionless face of crazy Min Jiheon looking down at me, the music quietly ying in the restaurant, and the countless system windows that popped up as if warning me before vanishing. Suddenly, everything felt so out of ce. The world I was standing in felt alien. No, it wasnt that. In fact, it wasnt that the world was alien, but I was the strange one. Like some foreign substance jutting out in a ce where everything was arranged in order, I, standing at the boundary of reality and unreality, felt nauseatingly terrible. Ding! [E R R O R] For a moment, my vision flickered. Screech! The steering wheel quickly spun past my eyes. The clear blue sky, my body leaning to one side, the static radio When I realized I was in a car it was already toote, as I crashed into the sharp debris. Crash! Ugh! I held my breath. My body that was floating suddenly plummeted, and the sense of reality quickly returned. Only my hands clenched tightly around the table were supporting my trembling body. Ugh, gasp, cough ugh, fuck. A car ident. An ident that happened ten years ago in the past. The car I was riding in with my parents me sitting alone in the backseat. That damned ident in which I instantly lost both of my parents. I clung to the table until my knuckles turned white and swallowed the trembling in my throat. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I muttered curses several times, not knowing where I was. As I coughed and covered my mouth, Min Jiheon urgently shoved a new napkin in my hand to block it. Blood stained the white napkin. Uh Min Jiheons voice, which had been groaning just a moment ago, was now clear. Uh did I go too far? Sorry, I didnt expect it to be this intense. Min Jiheon, looking slightly flustered, stepped back and covered the bracelet again. I gritted my teeth from the vivid sensations of the car ident and gasped for breath. Suddenly, blood flowed from Min Jiheons nose as well. Ah, but Im also in pain Wow, this is stronger than I thought. Ugh, cough Should we try more no. Min Jiheon muttered while closing his eyes as if feeling dizzy. I barely finished taking a deep breath and immediately grabbed his cor as soon as I grasped the situation. You crazy bastard!! Bang! The table was pushed, and teacups fell to the floor. Min Jiheon frowned and quickly tried to step back, but I pulled his cor tightly. You answer me properly from now on. Ah, wait a minute. Im not as gentle as you think. I know! I can see that already! Min Jiheon might have been genuinely scared as he squinted his eyes. Either way, I grabbed his cor again. How do you know about that incident? What did you just show me? I understand youre very angry, but grabbing my cor. Im really struggling right now No, you agreed earlier, remember?! Answer me right now!! Enraged, I shouted, and Min Jiheon finally opened his eyes, which were tightly closed. His eyes were still cloudy and shimmering. Geez, lets just calm down for a moment. Lets just leave it at that for now. Damn it. Min Jiheon said while releasing my grip on his cor. My insides were turning, and I felt like my brain was melting from the pain. I leaned on the table, gasping for air, and red at him. That son of a bitch Hey, Min Jiheon!!! Just as I tried to seize the opportunity to attack him again, Min Jiheons manager suddenly burst into the room with a loud noise. What are you doing here?! You need to board your flight right now, dont you know? Se-Seo Hoyun? As I kept silent and stared at Min Jiheon, his manager quickly assessed the situation and looked around nervously. But Min Jiheon concealed his earlier panic and answered nonchntly. Sorry, I was meeting an acquaintance. An acquaintance? Seo Hoyun? In the awkward atmosphere, Min Jiheons manager discreetly moved closer to Min Jiheon and quietly asked. Min Jiheon deliberately turned his body to hide the blood-stained napkins scattered on the floor and smiled at the manager. Shall we go? I was just about to wrap up. Of course, we should go right now! But why are you meeting Seo Hoyun? Are youclose? Well, no. Then why did youe without saying anything The manager nced back and forth between the two of us with a sly look. It seemed like he sensed something strange but couldnt quite put his finger on it. But maybe well try bing friends from now on. A hollowugh escaped. He was aplete lunatic. Anyway, we should hurry. Lets talk more in the car. Ugh! Why are these containers all over the ce? The whole floor is wet, be careful there! As his manager dragged him away, Min Jiheon hesitated a little and nced back at me. Min Jiheon. Mi-Min Jiheon? I called out to Min Jiheon, who was about to leave the room. His manager was shocked by how I called him, but I didnt have the time to care. [3] The vivid sensations of the steering wheel that twisted abruptly, the excessively blue sky, the screeching sound of the tires scraping the floorall of it was still clear in my mind. Youstill havent answered me. Im, Im really sorry, but not now I need to catch my flight. The manager stuttered and looked at me while Min Jiheon pulled on his arm. As a hyung, your audition sess must be guaranteed already shall we meet at the set? Ill tell you then. I wanted to grab him right away and scream at him for what he did. But I couldnt do that with watchful eyes around. My fists trembled with unreleased anger, and I heard his manager mutter as he left the room. So, so you were having ate-night chat? Audition practice? But what the hell is it? As the room door closed and I was left alone, I crumpled the blood-stained napkins and threw them roughly into the trash can. Fuck that fucking bastard! Even as I cursed like a madman, my mood didnt improve. I clenched my fist and red at the exit where Min Jiheon had just left. Set, my ass Do you think Id just sit still like this? My jaw trembled violently. [1] The rhyme appears to be based on the repeated syble . Jiheon says ? where (is it a bit more?) is followed by (Im not sure about this). The sound is repeated three times in two phrases. [2] See Episode 57. [3] Because Hoyun didnt use honorifics such as sunbae.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 86 Chapter 86 Kim Jaeyeon, is there really nothing? Theres really nothing! Why are you suddenly like this? People cant bepletely without ws. Did you at least try digging something up? Well, I tried digging, but After wiping a few drops of blood from the back of my hand, I put on my mask and left the restaurant. I chose the least crowded path and called Kim Jaeyeon as I walked. Fuck I flinched every time a car came by. They say tons of variety show offerse in because of how much he eats but he rejects them all. Thats all there is. Im going crazy. Ah, I didnt want to talk about it because I knew youd react like this. Min Jiheon was the real deal. That bastard showed me that himself. Seeing ghosts? That rumor wont be effective, right? Even if people knew Min Jiheon had a strange ability, it wouldnt really hurt him. Instead, having a rumor of being a club regr would be worse for his image. I didnt know how Kim Jaeyeon interpreted my annoyance, but he deted and said, Ill contact you if I find something. But I cant guarantee anything. Understood. Go and take a look. I hung up the call immediately, roughly stuffing my phone into my pocket. As cars passed by, I lowered my head and walked with long strides. Whenever a car quickly sped by the empty road the ident came to mind, my breath felt heavy, and my hands trembled. My younger brother No, no, never mind. The urge to check up on him welled, but showing him my current state would only cause more worry. He already embraced all the worlds worries theres no need to add mine to the mix. Lets go back. Sleep and thinkter. My thoughts were tangled, and I couldnt properly sort through the situation. I kept muttering curses, and I closed my mouth as soon as I entered the dorm. Kang Ichae, who had heard the door open, came out of the room with headphones hanging around his neck. Mom, the gorgeous 20-something rapper came to visit. Ugh. Did you have fun at the audition~? Kang Ichae was babbling nonsense like usual, but I was too shocked to think of a proper response. As I tried to pass by with a vague answer, Kang Ichae stopped and furrowed his eyebrows. ? What. Whats this? At the moment when Kang Ichae seemed to say something after scanning me up and down Why are you breathing so heavily Beeeeeeeeep! Shit. A car horn honked outside. I thought it was another hallucination, so I tried to hide my trembling hands and maintain my expression. Kang Ichae took a step back and nced out the window. Of course, there was a car outside. Whats up with that car? Kang Ichae could see and hear it too. Its not a hallucination or delusion. Uh, its its a bit noisy. Ugh. I tried to speak calmly, but no sound came out of my throat. It was a familiar sensation. I suddenly felt like I was screwed. Hey, Kang Kang Ichae, Ichae. And then I finally realized the state I was in. I was fine just a moment ago, but after hearing that car, my fingertips turned pale, and my breath hitched. Without even having the time to check Kang Ichaes expression, I asked for help. Just a moment, just a moment I, uh What is it? Tell me A stic bag, I needed a stic bag so I could breathe more easily My mind was so frazzled that I couldnt tell if what I was saying made sense or who I was directing my words to. Fuck Shit The sound of a horn kept squeezing through my fingers. It was a sound I had heard countless times, but it was so identical to the one I heard when I was twenty The sound of tires skidding, smashing into the guardrail, the echoing screams The scene I saw earlier shed before like it was real. Suddenly, something was pushed in front of my mouth. When I felt it with my hand, it rustled. It was a stic bag. Without even saying thank you, I snatched the bag, put it to my mouth, and repeated inhaling and exhaling. Slowly, slowly exhale. Remembering what the counselor had emphasized before deep and calm Fuck. Its okay, its fine My racing heart gradually calmed down. I crouched down, holding onto the bag as if it were a lifeline, and breathed. Honestly, I didnt know how long I had been like this. By the time I regained my senses, I was alone. The curtains were drawn, the window was closed, and the ring horn had stopped. The bag had the logo of the convenience store I often visited. I stared nkly at the crumpled bag and clenched my blue, bruised hand. It stopped. It seemed like I was okay now. After regaining my senses, the first words that came out were Fuck. As expected, it was a curse. At the same time, I crumpled and threw the bag into the corner. I felt like I was going insane. Fuck! Fuck! This disgusting! I screamed and spat like a madman for a while, then buried my face in my hands. That, that son of a bitch. Thats right, I could gain nothing by doing this. For quite a while, I did some deep breathing but finally stood up. As it was, I dragged myself to my room, sat on the bed frame, and sorted my thoughts. Pushed to the edge, my thoughts had lost bnce and spread all over, but now my clouded mind seemed to gradually return. And then I realized. Am I screwed right now? Kang Ichae saw everything. Kang Ichae Shit, if he told the team members about this, Id be finished. How could they ept me as a team member if I couldnt concentrate on anything because of hyperventtion? How could they trust and rely on someone so wed? I caused such amotion during Shining Star Now that it was revealed, I couldnt act boldly anymore. No matter what I do, everyone would obviously tell me to go to the hospital. I I didnt have time or leisure for that. At that moment, the door suddenly opened with a bang. Jeong Dajun, Kim Seonghyeon, and Kang Ichae entered all at once Jeong Dajun plopped down next to me and barked. Hoyun-hyung! Did you take good care of your dongsaeng? Wait, hey, Dajun, arent those my headphones? You said youd borrow them, but you still havent given them back. Hehe, hyung. Whats yours and mine between us? As usual, I watched the noisy members with half my mind somewhere else, but I didnt feel as uneasy or strange as before. Jeong Dajun grinned and bickered with Kim Seonghyeon. Yeah, theres no yours and mine only yours. Hehe, you found out. While admiring the headphones, Jeong Dajun suddenly turned to Kang Ichae. Ichae-hyung, who were you talking with downstairs earlier? Oh, that car with the ring horn? Seong Jiwon peeked through the open door and spoke. Ichae was really angry. Did you tell them to turn it off? The members gazes all focused on the silent Kang Ichae. I thought about whether I should say that at that moment that I was lying on the living room floor, holding a stic bag and putting on a show when No~. The answer that came was unexpected. Its just that the neighbors have no manners. Kang Ichae pretended not to know. Well, thats true. It was noisy. Everyone nonchntly moved on from that subject. Kang Ichae stood there, slightly annoyed, not even ncing at me. When my mind finally cleared, I roughly understood the situation. I guess hes trying to keep it a secret. He must have noticed my trauma after seeing me panicking when I talked about my parents deaths in the car identst time. It was a considerate gesture. But my mood was still terrible. What should we do today since its our day off? Should we practice more? Yeah, finally! Dajun has some motivation. Gosh! What did I just say? Practicing on a day off? Youve been brainwashed. I never thought that incident would affect me again. Who would have imagined that my trauma button would be triggered by the sound of a car engine, considering I even once had a thrilling joyride in a borrowed van? I wiped off the cold sweat trickling down my forehead andy on the bed. Honestly, I was exhausted. Its only natural. After having a bizarre experience and screaming my head off, I even had trouble breathing Jeong Dajun seemed to lose interest in his headphones. He tossed them on the bed and moved to sit in a chair, spinning around while hugging the backrest. Hoyun-hyung! Hyung, when will the resultse out? What results? The first round of drama auditions! I hadpletely forgotten. I let out a sigh and buried my face in the pillow. You did great, right? Hyung, youre perfect for the role of Lee Jeonghun! They should just ept you based on your looks alone! Just go and do as you always do, and theyll be like, Oh? This guy is Lee Jeonghun! Hes in!'' Hey, Dajun, calm down a bit. The other members sensed my bad mood and tried to restrain Jeong Dajun, but even though they tried to calm him down, he still couldnt take a hint and continued to be overly excited. If hyung really passes the final round, I should go visit and see Min Jiheon-sunbae~! Min Jiheon That bastard. I wont be satisfied even if I crushed his bones. But I was too weak to argue, so I just sighed and buried my face deeper into the pillow. Finally, Jeong Dajun seemed to notice something was off and stopped bouncing around. Dajun. Yes, y-yes? My voice sounded unusually sharp and rough. I didnt even look at Jeong Dajun as I spoke. Sorry, but could you leave? Hyung is a bit tired. I usually spoke harshly, yet I still cared about Jeong Dajun in my own way. I was never the type to act this weak, so Jeong Dajun seemed quite taken aback and didnt know what to say. Then he asked quietly, What happened? Normally, even if I got into an ident, I would have said, Its not like I caused it, and would have stroked his head to lighten the mood, but I didnt feel like it. No, I didnt have the strength. The other members noticed my condition was worse than they thought. After exchanging nces, they carefully pushed Jeong Dajun out of the room with a smile. Jeong Dajun, todays not the day. Please leave, please leave. Yes. Hoyun, rest well~. Although I thought I should go out and lighten the mood, I had neither the energy nor any excuses. What should I say? That I saw my parents ident again because of Min Jiheons power and had a panic attack? Thats crazy Never mind. Lets just leave it for now. No matter how much I considered them like younger siblings, they were still four grown men. They were simple-minded and would soon forget about it, bouncing around in the living room again. I sighed and pulled up the nket. Squeak. The door opened. Without opening my eyes, I could tell who it was just by the sound of their footsteps. Thump. Shuffle. Kang Ichae returned and sat on the chair, but he never asked me, What happened? or Are you alright? until the end. He just took a quick nce to see if I was alive and then went back to immersing himself inposing. It was only after a while that I managed to open my mouth after washing my face. Thank you. You saved my life, hyung. I tried to make a simple joke, but Kang Ichae said nothing. He just stared at the monitor, waiting for me to speak. But how did you know I needed the stic bag? I stumbled and asked for help like an idiot, and I wondered how on earth he understood what I needed. I thought he would say something like, I knew how to deal with it because its a supermon disease in dramas, or make up a light-hearted joke to lighten the mood, but Kang Ichae hesitated unexpectedly. And then he spoke very cautiously. My mom My mom went through the same thing. Neither Kang Ichae nor I could say anything in response, and our conversation ended there. And we knew. We knew that for as long as we lived, we wouldnt tell anyone about this incident and quietly bury it. The sound of the mouse clicking, the melody lines seeping through the headphones, and the faint conversationsing from the living room filled the silence between us. . . . A while after I passed out and woke up. Ding! A quest arrived.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 87 Chapter 87 Ding! [Quest Arrival!] When I came to after fainting, a blue system window was floating in the air. I blinked my eyes and jolted upright. The system window had returned. How did it No, it wasnt important how it came back. What mattered was that it had returned to normal after Min Jiheons incident. Why did you disappear? But there was no answer. It was evident that the system window chose not to appear on purpose. I sighed, staring at the screen floating in the air. Quest check. Ding! [Quest Arrival! Lets create a fan song together! The group shines more in group activities rather than individual ones! Lets make a surprise fan song for Noeul. Sess: 5,000 points awarded. Failure: If a fan song isnt made within two weeks, Dance stats drop significantly (B+ to D+).] I carefully looked at the quest window. Usually, I wouldnt suspect a hidden meaning in such a quest, but something felt off this time. First, group activities rather than individual ones. On the surface, it seemed like a perfectly normal questpared to the ones Ive received before. Individual activities in other words, they want to divert my attention from acting. While I did think group activities were more appropriate at the moment Why? If they wanted to discourage me from acting from the start, they should have stopped it when the offer first came in. In other words, a quest like this should have appeared when the CEO asked if I wanted to act. Or at least when Seong Jiwon asked about acting, and I resisted saying I wouldnt do it. But now? Besides, if they wanted to stop my acting activities, why not give a quest asking me not to appear in the drama? Or is it that they cant? For some reason, it seemed the system window also had limitations. Thats why it sent a quest with such a tight deadline, as if trying to disrupt my acting activities. In other words, Theyre nervous. It was a message to avoid Min Jiheon. The system window remained faintly glowing. But I didnt need an answer anymore. I had found the answer in its silence. I quickly got up and went to the living room. The members, who had been talking for a while, suddenly stood up when they saw me. Uh, um It would have been nice if they had forgotten about me and were happily ying, but these kind-hearted members couldnt do that. Which group would feel down just because one of the members was feeling down? Feeling down, huh? I clicked my tongue and sat heavily in an empty spot on the sofa. The members hesitantly sat down after me. Hoyun Seong Jiwon tried to say something but closed his mouth. He looked agitated and seemed to be holding back. Kim Seonghyeon quickly finished what he was going to say. The manager came by earlier. He didnt want to disturb you because you were asleep. Okay. You passed the first round of auditions. Now you just have to go for the second round. Normally, the members would have been happier and made a fuss. It was good news, after all, but they were carefully choosing their words because of what happened earlier. I snatched the drink that Jeong Dajun was holding and drank some of it. My throat was so dry that I gulped it down, making Jeong Dajuns eyes widen. Hyung, thats mine Jeong Dajun. Y-yes? I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Why are you being careful? Um, well? Didnt I tell you not to be cautious if you didnt do anything wrong? Why isnt it working for you now, huh? .? It took a moment for Jeong Dajun to process what I said, then he smirked. The jerk is back. No, its just his attitude disappeared again. Ah, right. The other members murmured. Jeong Dajun stuttered and suddenly grabbed me, pouring out his words. Hyung, um Please forget what I said earlier. I didnt mean that I wanted you to pass the audition to see Min Jiheon-sunbae. Of course, there was some fan spirit for Writer Kim Sukhui I dont know what it is, but if you dont like it, I dont like it either! Really? This innocent kid. I grinned as I looked at Jeong Dajun, who was fun to tease. Maknae, choose between Min Jiheon and me. Huh? Choose. After about three seconds, Jeong Dajun hesitated and answered. Its obviously you, hyung?? What kind of crazy thing are you saying? It was satisfying, but thinking about it, it was cheesy. I sighed and patted our bewildered maknaes head. He seemed to have been wronged, but I ignored it. So, should I go to see the second round of auditions? Yes. Its something to celebrate, but since Hoyun said you didnt want to do it, well respect your opinion no matter what. Okay, thats good. But if youre even a little hesitant Huh? Seong Jiwon suddenly stopped speaking in surprise. You said its good? Yeah. I picked up my phone and sent a positive text to the manager. I want to do it. Huh? Im going to act. Everyones eyes widened. Just a few hours ago, I didnt seem like I would do it at all, but now that I said I would, everyone looked at me with a questioning gaze, but I didnt intend to answer. I had already decided to y Lee Jeonghun. The system window was hiding something and extremely reluctant toward Min Jiheon. Min Jiheon knew something and could even temporarily remove the system window. So, the answer was clear. If I couldnt get an answer from the writer or the system window, I could use Min Jiheon to find out. How should I try it While searching for information about Min Jiheon online, I suddenly looked up at the members. Kang Ichae awkwardly averted my gaze, but For now, lets move on. There was something more urgent. Ah, lets make our fan song. ? Everyone was even more puzzled by the remark. *** [Seo Hoyun confirmed for the role of young genius PD in Please Take the Camera] [Seo Hoyun, transforming from idol to actor Syncing with Min Jiheon] As expected, Seo Hoyun showed a perfect fit as the PD in the second and third rounds of auditions, and he was unanimously epted. Moreover, to cram the 23-year-old Seo Hoyun into the role, Writer Kim Sukhui even lowered Lee Jeonghun PDs age to 29, adding all sorts of prodigy titles. Casting news spread quickly, as if someone had leaked the information. Lee Jihyeon, who had now be almost a full-time consultant for The Dawn, was worried when she saw the article. Yet she thought it was better to get it over with quickly, and she sent out additional press materials. When Seo Hoyuns personal fans read the article, they were stunned by the sudden news but quickly posted it on social media. [Hoyun is confirmed to appear as a genius PD in Please Take the Camera!! Hes such a perfect fit and I cant wait I support your first acting challenge! (Press release link)] And that post went viral like crazy. But there were more quotes than simple retweets. Depending on the situation, it sometimes worked differently, butthis time, it had a very negative effect. [?????????????? ] [Where did Lee Kangseok, who was supposed to appear, go??????] [Wow, Daepaseong is working hard Theyre trying to force Seo Hoyun in] [Its so funny that theyre even changing the character settings and age to fit Seo Hoyun in. Are you guys having fun forcing him in?] If it was just an acting challenge, it wouldnt have caused this much of a stir, but it was a role that was rumored to almost be confirmed for the rising star, Lee Kangseok. There had even been several news articles saying that it was close to being confirmed. The image fitted well, and the response was good, but when an idol suddenly came in, the reaction wasnt so good. In fact, it wasnt an issue that the casting was decided right before the deadline. It was that the characters age didnt fit, so they had to adjust the setting after casting, which led to an article reporting this, followed by ament from Lee Kangseoks management expressing their regret for not being able to take on the role, which, ultimately, attracted even more criticism. The individual fan who posted that message saw the reactions from Noeul and drama fans, as well as people who were just there for the fun of it. They then went to another private ount to post ament. [Hmm] Theres only one thing they wanted to say. [I got it, guys, Im sorry for being crazy Ah I actually know tlqkf] Still, they posted messages like Wow, Seo Hoyun is acting? This is going to be awesome, and I can see Seo Hoyuns face regrly for two months, I need to save new pictures. Of course, they also cried in the background, saying, Please stop, its scary. Noeul fans were only able to vent their frustrations on private ounts. [Sigh We know this is a stretch, too Ive been cursing all day at work, I must be crazy now] [What are you talking about? Seo Hoyun acting? He just cant let go of his acting ambitions~~~] [I can see it The future where people tell him to stop pushing idols and get criticized The signs of fighting with all kinds of antis and attention-seekers But shit we are die-hard Seo Hoyun fans, winter ising, lets fight, you bastards] As if to prove their words, sparks were already flying in themunity. [Title: Isnt Seo Hoyun being pushed into Min Jiheon this time? This time its too obvious, its annoying They even changed the age Amazing Seo Hoyun? Has he ever acted before?? Nope Wow I know I had high expectations because its written by Kim Sukhui, but now we have an idol on top of everything else] [Why not just say he wants to be an actor I knew his face was always expressionless, and he didnt want to be an idol, but I didnt expect him to reveal his true colors so quickly? Hell probably get anti-fans soon, so just die before causing trouble for the other members You fucker, do you think someone who hates being an idol would do everything? Hes famous for being really active inmunicating with fans, you should mind your own business] [Honestly, his schedule would be affected by acting activities Does he not care about the other members at all? Why did he debut in a group then?] [Isnt it too obvious that he doesnt care about group activities? Just leave the group #LookingForNoeul #Noeul_FriendApplication Shut up] As the anonymous ounts smelled blood and started appearing one by one, the fans felt sick but fought back as hard as they could Meanwhile, what was Seo Hoyun doing? Uh, why are you here? Cough, cough! Hey, everyone, get out for a second. He was in Lim Hyeonsus poorly ventted roon den (studio).
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 88 Chapter 88 What are you doing right now? Annoyed, I quickly sent the minors and the non-smokers outside and opened the window wide. Strong sunlight poured in, but Lim Hyeonsu didnt seem to care, continuing to sit in her chair with her legs propped up on the desk. She had a simr temperament to Kang Ichae from the beginning, but their actions were bing more and more alike. They must have absorbed each others bad habits after they became close. Its so smoky in here, and yet the fire rm isnt going off. I purposely chose a room with a broken rm to smoke indoors Are you crazy? Its my building, so its fine. Besides, were on the first floor, so we can just jump out the window if theres a fire. Fix it soon. Why is she like this? Lim Hyeonsu wasnt in a good state. I always thought she was a fool, but today, she was even stranger than usual. It was bearable after opening the window and letting out some smoke, but it was still too early to bring the members back in, so I just stood with my arms crossed and watched Lim Hyeonsu. Instead ofughing mockingly as usual, Lim Hyeonsu took her legs off the desk and averted my eyes. Whats going on? I looked at the ashtray next to her and sighed. Cigarette butts were piled up like a mountain, and several empty cigarette packs were scattered around. Even if you own the building, is it okay to do this indoors? Is it your ce to talk? You smoked here, too. Shush, you have a good memory. Is this a hearing? I did smoke her when I threatened her before. Lim Hyeonsu, who used toin that people who quit smoking got too cocky, sighed deeply, and fiddled with a cigarette pack. I dont know I want to smoke a pack or two a day and die early. I want to live a stylish life like an artist and die quickly. What? People in this industry tend to highly evaluate the talent of those who die young. Im going to shine all the way to the end and then just die. What do you think? Isnt it cool? Pathetic Has her stylepletely died? I sat down on the small chair next to Lim Hyeonsu and grabbed the armrest of the spinning chair she was sitting on. I didnt know what was going on, but Maybe I should try cheering her up. Dont die. Please. ! I want to use yourposing skills Lim Hyeonsu, who had been forcibly spinning around until then, suddenly looked at me with a touched expression. Until the very, very, very end. You fucking I gently smiled and said I wanted to exploit her for as long as possible, and Lim Hyeonsu pped my hand away and distanced herself. With that, I figured the joke went far enough. The atmosphere lightened, and I called back the members who had been waiting outside. Does it smell? Its okay! It didnt smell at all. Half-melted like jelly, the members, including Jeong Dajun, who was kind but couldnt lie, greeted Lim Hyeonsu with a nod and carefully sat on the sofa. So, why did youe? Please check our fan song. Haah Lim Hyeonsu sighed and leaned back on the chair,pletely drained. Normally, she would have cursed profusely but still got excited as she listened to Kang Ichaes song This time, however, she seemed oddly listless. Even the quick-witted Kang Ichae seemed to notice, hesitating as he took out hisptop. A momentter, Lim Hyeonsu rubbed the corner of her eyes and abruptly straightened her upper body. Alright, y it. Yes. As always, Kang Ichae obeyed Lim Hyeonsus words. The song he produced in a very short time sounded beautiful even to my tone-deaf ears. The song, reminiscent of a 1980s American high school setting, had a powerful upbeat and refreshing melody. Kang Ichae is quite a guy. After that incident, Kang Ichae seemed a bit depressed, but then he suddenly holed up in his room and obsessively dug into ssic movies. Afterward, he and Jeong Dajun conquered 1980s American movies and produced that beat while yelling, Im an American high teen, Im Kang Ichae-buster, and Ill go back to the past in a burning car, all of which were iprehensible. Honestly, as long as he produced amazing songs, I was willing to tolerate any nonsense he spewed. ? Kang Ichae, with the focused members beside him, nced at Lim Hyeonsu with slight tension. Lim Hyeonsu remained silent for a while after the song ended. ? Just as we started exchanging nces and gestures, her hand reached for the cigarette pack, then stopped. She blinked her eyshes once and spoke. Its not bad. Wow! Whoa! The members who didnt know much about Lim Hyeonsu just cheered at the fact that they were praised by a famousposer, but I momentarily lost my words as I looked at Hyeonsu. It seemed that Kang Ichae was also in the same situation, but he soon lowered his gaze andughed. We learned everything from our geniusposer~. Of course, where else would you learn? Lim Hyeonsu responded lightly with a joke and gave feedback while pointing at the program. As Kang Ichae listened to Hyeonsus voice intently, not missing a single word, the song became richer and more splendid whenever she touched theputer. I turned my eyes away as I leaned on the sofa and watched them. Min Jiheon. I had tried to contact him afterward, of course, but there was no reply. I couldnt see him at thepany at all. Whether the news of him going to China was true or not, I tried contacting him through a manager or thepany, but it was obvious that I wouldnt be able to properly talk that way. Biting my lip, I untangled my still-tangled thoughts one by one. Min Jiheon definitely knew something. Lets start from the beginning. He told me that I looked urgent when we encountered each other on Jeju Ind and at thepany. He then withdrew that statement, saying he must have seen it wrong. What exactly is urgent? Although its true that I was caught in this goddamn game and working my bones off for something that wasnt even in the n, there was definitely no time limit to clear this scenario. There was only a vague directive to be a first-tier idol. There were time limits asionally ced on quests, but I never doubted the reason for that because I thought those quests were reasonable in those situations. Wait. Did I miss something? What if the quest rewards, failures, and unbnced patches werent random but actually served a purpose? What if there was some information the system window didnt tell me about, but Min Jiheon noticed and then told me to hurry? What if there was a limit for him too? Eh. Even if thats the case, there were still many unsolved mysteries. How did Min Jiheon show me my traffic ident when he obviously knew nothing? Why did the system window have an error? And Someone tapped my shoulder just as I was about to get lost in my chain of thoughts. Hey, Seo Hoyun. Ah. It was Lim Hyeonsu, who stood with her hands in her pockets, leaning slightly forward. Excluding me, who was spacing out, the members were already standing up and greeting Hyeonsu. Why didnt you hear me talking when you were thinking so hard? I was cursing theposer. You little shit, really. As she shrugged her shoulders, trying to leave, Hyeonsu grabbed me. Wait a minute. I have something to talk about. Yes? Um, yes. Composer Cheongbeom! Thank you again for today~! Thank you! Yeah, go on in. The other members quickly greeted her and left, leaving me there awkwardly. Watching them go, I wished she had at least given me some snacks to recharge while I waited. Sitting quietly on the sofa, Hyeonsu seemed to be waiting for the members to leave. She then sat down heavily in a chair and took out a cigarette again. Really, arent you a little too impatient? Couldnt you hold it in for a moment? Fuck, give me a break.Life is so annoying, and I need to smoke. I stared at her nkly. Hyeonsu put down the lighter, exhaled the smoke, and looked up at the ceiling. Kang Ichae, Im really. Really, really, really envious. It was almost like talking to herself. It seemed like she was trying to hold it in, but the words came out forced. As I was about to frown slightly, Hyeonsu flicked the ash off and turned her gaze to me. Anyway, thats not what I wanted to talk about. I just wanted to chat. Why? You look a little sensitive. Me? No, I was now in a somewhat recovered state. I raised my eyebrows. Hyeonsu looked at me as she slowly narrowed her eyes. You looked sensitive since the beginning, but today, even more so. Whats the matter? So perceptive. I sighed and slid down on the sofa as if lying down. What should I say here? I have a slightly crazy sunbae at the samepany, and they showed me my trauma? Instead of saying that, I looked up and down at Hyeonsu. Hyeonsu seemed startled. I I quit smoking, remember? Ah, shit. I totally get it. Okay. Hyeonsu, a heavy smoker, nodded her head crazily. Seeing Hyeonsu stubbornly puff on a cigarette even in front of someone who found quitting hard, I couldnt help but burst intoughter. Covering my mouth and squinting my eyes, Hyeonsu clicked her tongue and shook her head. Dontugh like that; I might fall for you. I guess you already have. No, seriously, could you quit? Im over it. Why? I wanted to see it for a long time. Hyeonsu took another puff, put out her cigarette, and was about to grab another from the pack when her phone rang with a vibration. Huh? Thinking it was time for me to leave and escape this roons den, Hyeonsu murmured as she looked at the caller ID. Its Heeyeon. ??? Heeyeon? Whats up with her? And shes texting too. What kind of nonsense was this? Without even looking at me, Hyeonsu had already taken out a new cigarette, put it in her mouth, and was typing a reply with an awkward nod. PD Kim Heeyeon? Yup. Weve been getting closetely. We met at a drinking partyst time. Shes quite a drinker As soon as she closed her mouth, Hyeonsu snickered. Noticing the suspicious look in my eyes, she nced over and made a confused face. Why are you mad? Im not mad, okay? What reason did I have to be mad? But Hyeonsu continued to scrutinize me with her eyes narrowed, misunderstanding my intentions. She snapped her fingers. Why? Do you want to swear?? Damn, youre like a ghost. Yeah, youre right. All we do is talk behind your back when we meet. For a moment, I felt dizzy and leaned on my forehead. I really wanted to stop hearing about that now. Why couldnt I just block their numbers since I was such a loser Of course, Hyeonsu didnt know about my situation and rambled. Sorry, but I cant include you~. Ive been really close with Heeyeontely. Have you heard? Best Friend?! B.F.F! Our rtionship isnt something a loser like you can easily join Even Joo Woosung looked like he was being threatened by youst time. Im thinking of forming a trio with him. Shit If you know anyone else being threatened by you, let me know. Were recruiting new members. Hyeonsu chuckled and gestured for me to leave. I was going to go anyway! I got up abruptly, red at Hyeonsu, and left. Until I closed the door, Hyeonsu kept giggling at her phone. It was really annoying. Hyung! Over here, over here! Oh, perfect timing. Drink this! As soon as I walked out, Dajun waved his hand frantically with snacks tucked under his arm. Next to him, Jiwon handed me a Java Chip Frappino. Java Chip with caramel drizzle, mocha syrup, and espresso whipped cream. I thought youd want something sweet today. I was d my members had some sense. Thanks. I took the drink and slurped it down. As the sugar kicked in, my irritation subsided, and I became a little moreposed. Jiwon blinked and cautiously asked. But Hoyun. What? Why are you so annoyed? Im not annoyed, okay?? *** Seo Hoyun had already messed up (on top of other mistakes) to the point of no return but she still worked hard. Thanks to that, another video was quickly uploaded to The Dawns YouTube channel. [The Dawn? Will you go to prom with me? (Teaser)] The teaser suddenly appeared without any notice or even dropping a hint on V-Live. As soon as Noeuls fans clicked on the 20-second video, a series of highlights unfolded. ?? The video began with Dajun picking up a letter in front of a cab. Kim Seonghyeon shooting a basketball, Seong Jiwon picking out roses in front of a flower shop, and Kang Ichae leaning on an old motorbike while chewing gum appeared in session. The monotonous and refreshing beat changed into upbeat 1980s American-style music at some point while maintaining a trendy, sophisticated rhythm. Ichae indeed possessed a talent that could make Hyeonsu jealous. Lastly, under the purple lights, Seo Hoyun appeared, grabbing a standing microphone and smiling with a band consisting of drums, bass, guitar, and piano. Yes, Im asking you! The purple light shone brilliantly on his delicate, rich hair, and his slightly raised eyes seemed to fold yfully. He turned towards his youthful love as if slightly embarrassed and a little scared. Will You Go to Prom with Me? The short highlights yed, and the songs title was stamped on the ck screen. It was a fan song.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 89 Chapter 89 This chapter is generously sponsored by kingkoon. [Crack] [Whats going on? Crack! (Watching someone pick something up to eat and burst into mes, then joining them and catching fire too GIF)] The fan song teaser received quite a positive response. Upon watching the teaser, all fans were tearing their hair out. [Oh my, from, oh my, the high teen world] [This-this-this, that thing! Isnt it from the Shining Star Glow series!? Cab!!! Letter!!! Basketball!!! Euaaaaagggh] [Ah fuck, and its a 1980s concept too! This is for me, thank you] While everyone was losing their minds, a making-of film was uploaded one after another. The making-of film showed the members holding a meeting at Daepaseong Entertainment. We decided to make a fan song. p, p, p. The members faces turned red with apuse. A hint of anticipation and excitement could be seen. Jeong Dajun raised his hand and asked a question. Are we making everything ourselves? Yes. Excluding props and stage, we are responsible for the concept,position, and camera. Ah, alright! Then Ill record a guide with Ichae. Then Ill figure out the stage directions. Seo Hoyun naturally led the meeting, and the rest of the members volunteered to divide the parts smoothly, making fans bothugh and cry. [Its so nice here But Im a bit flustered since Ive been into K-pop for a long time. Do they really have to do everything fromposing to concept these days? Unexpected softie No, its just Daepaseong Entertainment is like this] [Tasting Shining Stars group project hard carry once again] [Daepaseong, are you out of money? Didnt you taste a bit of moneyst time??] In fact, Daepaseong had made quite a bit of money. Especially after the Jeong Dajun incident, Seo Hoyun genuinely advised (by cursing a lot) and even intimidated the CEO to carry out an organizational restructuring. Lee Jihyeon had a veryfortable budget to execute the concepts she wanted. However, whether they had a lot of money or not Seo Hoyun and Lee Jihyeon agreed on one point. Although it could be their personal taste, a fan song should have a taste that only fans and singers could feel. It meant that idols needed to show their love for their fans!! So, Lee Jihyeon quickly changed the original concept. [Oh, its going to be a self-cam vibe] [Ah Okay, okay, thats good] It was a self-cam atmosphere made by the members themselves. It matched perfectly with the beat Kang Ichaepleted. And Seo Hoyun sneakily sprinkled breadcrumbs throughout the making-of video. I cant wait to show it to Noeul. [Hoyun suggested making a fan song first, right?] [Kang Ichae seems a bit sensitive today and even more like a punk its driving the girls crazy] [Seong Jiwon, dont shine your smile like that if youre not going to marry us; its driving people crazy] Fans were overjoyed. For days, their hair was tightly clenched (and not so gently, too), and their teeth were gritted to the point of losing them because of the breadcrumbs they received. What do you mean Seo Hoyun didnt care about The Dawn? What nonsense was it that he wanted to be an actor rather than an idol! He was even nning it himself for the fans! Although fans kept posting that Seo Hoyun suggested making a fan song first, thinking of Noeul more than anyone else, as expected, there were people who openly attacked them. [Yeah~ Regardless, hes a crazy bastard for individual activities~] Of course, they were quickly silenced. Not only because The Dawn was just a prelude but also because V-Lives poured out before the fan song was released. [Aaah, Kang Ichae made the fan song concept like this: He got inspired by marathon-watching 1980s American movies; hes such a genius] [He and Dajun watched a movie together, popped some popcorn at night, and got scolded by Jiwon for overdoing it Ah] [Kim Seonghyeon was the best at skateboarding on set, even with extras This excessively set-up man is mine] [AhSeo Hoyun seems to be teasing the younger members while constantly sucking on red ginsengHoyun directly organized itThe most sensitive person when teased: Kim Seonghyeon >> (Slightly) >>>> Jeong Dajun The person who smiles and moves on: Seong Jiwon The person who doesnt get teased but teases back: Kang Ichae Jeong Dajun grumbles beside him, saying that if you make a mistake with Seo Hoyun, youre in big trouble because he never lets it go Kim Seonghyeon is already trembling and Ah Kim Seonghyeon is seriously sensitive] Moreover, breadcrumbs were constantly being dropped on set. If a troll appeared once, another breadcrumb would suddenly be poured out, another story revealed, and another photo released. Noeul was just busy devouring everything. [Wow, theres so much content here] [I admit] [Theres been non-stop activity and breadcrumbs since the beginning of the year Do the kids have three bodies?] Everyone was so distracted that there was no chance for anything to happen from the start. [The Dawn Will You Go to Prom With Me?] And not long after, the fan song MV was released. The video was like a 1980s movie, capturing such nostalgia in a beautiful way. With Lim Hyeonsus sophisticated beat that made one feel a bit empty,bined with the self-cam concept nned by Lee Jihyeon, there was no way it couldnt be good. Jeong Dajun, waving his hand with a bright smile at someone, walked down a hallway lined with long cabs, bustling with children. Stopping in front of one, he lifted his sports bag and opened the cab wide. [Hey, are you crazy?] There was a letter in the middle of it. [Starting with Jeong Dajun receiving the letter ah] [Gl-o-w se-rie-s] [Im going crazy This is insane Thank you for not forgetting Glow] In the Shining Star version of Glow, Jeong Dajun received the letter and ended with a rather ambiguous ending. Will You Go to Prom With Me? started from thatst scene. Jeong Dajun opened his mouth, stared nkly for a moment, then hurriedly pulled out the letter and read it. Blushing slightly, he leaned his forehead against the cab and mumbled. Ha, what do I do? Soon, the noisy surroundings quieted down, and the introposed by Kang Ichae flowed. The piano intro seemed bright and cheerful but also set the atmosphere. Soon, the screen darkened, capturing the back of someone riding a skateboard down a narrow street. Kim Seonghyeon, who stopped in front of a small, cozy-looking house, opened the gate and entered. He awkwardly looked at the mirror hanging above the shoe rack and scrunched his nose. Ha, okay. At that moment, the refreshing piano performance changed to an up-tempo beat typical of the 1980s. The uniform drumbeat and electric guitar melody enriched the song. Will, will you go to prom with me? Ive been rehearsing, but things arent going as nned Ah, lets try it again, with you, with me, by chance, ah, truly! Kim Seonghyeon seemed annoyed with the reflection of his irritated face in the mirror as the camera angle moved. Bang, bang, an old motorcycle zoomed past a yellow school bus. In what appeared to be a college parking lot, Kang Ichae, with his red hair, stopped the motorcycle and propped one foot on the ground, biting a candy. Then, he took an old camcorder from his bag and scanned the campus. Following that, Seo Hoyuns passing figure was briefly captured, and the screen shifted, showing Seo Hoyun wearing a hooded sweatshirt, like a real student. Hi, what you doing today, I tried to strike a conversation, but youre as prickly as ever today. In fact, theres something nice about it, Whenever I see your face, I just start tough. The camera shook as if Kang Ichae was ying a prank while filming. Seo Hoyun, slightly annoyed, covered the camera lens with his hand. Next, Jeong Dajun appeared with dark brown hair. Holding the letter tightly in his hand from the opening scene, he sighed in front of a flower shop. Whatwhat did you say? What is this flower called? Rose? Lilies? Freesia? Okay, whatever, give me all of them. Holding a huge bouquet of flowers, with some of them falling, Jeong Dajun left the flower shop. The camera then shifted to Seong Jiwon sitting at an outdoor caf table. The thin brown hair shone beautifully under the sunlight. Twirling a thick pen, Seong Jiwon nodded with a bright smile, his kind eyes narrowing gently. Buying a bouquet of flowers, I carefully pour my heart into a sketchbook With any luck, by this prom After scribbling something, Seong Jiwon stood up. He had a satisfied look on his face as he examined his sketchbook. In the next cut, the members were standing nervously at the doors of different colors. As if in a high-teen movie, the trembling before a confession was clearly portrayed. The moment the five members in prom suits knocked on the doors, The words Ive rehearsed so many times, now I want to tell you, I will open your door and give you The song paused for a moment as the door slowly opened, and Jeong Dajuns surprised face was seen as a closed-up. As if he had forgotten all the words he had memorized because the other person was shining so brightly. Okay, I forgot. The screen darkened again as if to take a deliberate break from the yful scene. Soon after, the drums rang with a thud, and the scene shifted to the auditorium illuminated with dim purple lights. ? As each member took turns ying the drums, guitar, bass, and piano, adding richness to the sound, Seo Hoyun stood in the front, holding a standing mic, slightly furrowing his eyebrows in the bright lights, yet still smiling. Then, the melody burst forth like an explosion. Will you go to prom with me? They had borrowed the image of a band often seen in high teen movies. Just moments ago, Seo Hoyun had been dressed casually, but now, he slicked back his hair, donned a double-breasted suit, and snapped his fingers. Behind him, Jeong Dajun, who had been (pretending to) y the drums, suddenly raised his drumstick-holding hand high. Say Yes! Beside them (ying for real) was Seong Jiwon, pressing piano keys with his long, white fingers and bringing his mouth close to the mic set up on the piano. Will you go to prom with me? Then, Kim Seonghyeon, while holding an electric guitar, leaned his upper body slightly toward the standing mic and smiled as he spoke. Say Yes! Watching him, Seo Hoyun chuckled and tilted the mic forward. Ahbabe please answer me, Ive been waiting a long time. Then, a shot of all the members appeared. An American band concept? Is this really the crazy official thing theyre serving us? The Noeul fans could only shed tears. Originally, the fans tear ducts would activate automatically just from seeing their idols smiling brightly. Seeing them happily smiling on stage like a page from their memories, they felt like they were going crazy. Will you go to prom with me (Say Yes!) Will you dance with me As the chorus ended, Kang Ichaes rap part began. The camera screen suddenly rewound quickly, showing Kang Ichae sitting outside the prom venue, nervously chewing on the end of a red stic cup. Ah~, I know I shouldnt be like this. He threw the cup toward the trash bin like shooting a basketball and stood up. His slightly yful behavior showed a subtle mixture of excitement and anxiety. But when Im in front of you, I want to act irrationally I wanna grab your arm and dance, my love, I wanna put my hand on your waist, my everything. Kang Ichaes rap skills, slightly off-beat to the rhythm, showed a marked improvement from before. I want to hold you tight, and pour out such words, But I have to hold back What can I do? I dont wanna get ditched, babe. Kang Ichae flipped his hair and sighed softly, a facial expression fans couldnt usually see. The boyish charm overflowed, making the fans feet twitch as they watched. I want to look good to you, I do. As the chorus began again, the camera showed the members dancing wildly and joyfully, as if they were really enjoying a party under the dim lighting of a school auditorium. Will you go to prom with me? (Say Yes!) Will you go to prom with me? (Say Yes!) Jeong Dajun yfully grabbed Kim Seonghyeon and jumped around while Seo Hoyun swayed his body and took swigs of a drink nearby. Seong Jiwonughed as he filmed the scene with an old-fashioned camera, and Kang Ichae sat on the auditorium stage, swinging his long legs. Ahbabe please answer me, Ive been waiting a long time. The upbeat sound of a trumpet yfully entered, and the camera zoomed in for a close-up of Seo Hoyun. He was leaning against the auditorium wall with his head tilted back and gaze lowered. Meeting the cameras gaze, Seo Hoyun showed anguid smile and sang the final lines. Yes, babe, Im asking you. The drumbeat gradually slowed down. Under the purple lighting, everyones backs were visible as they sang thest group verse with boisterousughter. Will you go to prom with me? Sounds of hurried footsteps and what seemed like motorcycle engines starting echoed as everyone rushed out of the auditorium. Vroom The motorcycles exhaust roared, and just like in a movie, the credits rolled, marking the end of the video. Although it was a suddenly produced fan song with a low budget, giving off a strong DIY vibe, it actually emphasized the unique freshness of the old high school teen atmosphere. [.] After watching the entire video, Noeuls fans remained silent for a moment. [I I just want to be a fan of Noeul forever.] [If I ever stop being a fan (of Noeul), Ill be done for. Got it?] When stans get too emotionally invested, they lose their vocabry. Noeuls fans could only express their direct opinions after watching the MV one more time. [Kang Ichae, motorcycle, fuck motorcycle, fuck motorcycle, fuck Shove it into the mouths of the punks riding bikes Yeah!] [Ah, Seong Jiwon, ah piano, ah piano, ah Shove it into the mouths of the elegant beauties ying the piano fucking yeah!] [Kim Seonghyeon skateboarding Ah I really dont know what to be afraid of Im watching his skateboarding tricks for the 300th time right now.] Within minutes of the video being uploaded, SNS was flooded with emotional reactions from fans. [I thought the fan song would be more of a K-pop bad style like You Are My Everything But then they came out with an 80s American high school band concept, whats up with that?] [No Guys If they release a fan song like this, what should I doAh And on top of that, the casting is perfect And whats up with Kang Ichaes rap? Is he kidding? Hold my arm and dance, put your hand on my waist Ah I cant take it anymore You can lean on me for support Shit, I admit it.] First, there werepliments about the concept of the fan song. Then, it went on with praises for the members. [Jeong Dajun is so adorable when he cant speak with the door open Ah He really looks like a baby squirrel, what to do And when he says, Say yes! and lifts the drumstick, its insane.] [Our rabbit tore it up, our rabbit looks crazy in a suit Ah Im so pissed off Why are you mad] [Seo Hoyuns smirk is seriously driving me crazy. The least likely person to call me Babe makes me want to sue.] [Seonghyeon, are you doing well? I went to your house to dance with you, but you panicked and called the police, didnt you? Ah, hows the prison? The food is good.] Already, clips from the fan song MV were flooding SNS. In particr, a short video of Kang Ichaes rap started spreading on TikTok, even though it hadnt been many days. Muggle[1] viewers who found the video without knowing it was a fan song were leavingments asking for the title. [Title: The fan song produced by a small idol group, The Dawn (ta-da-!) Will you go to prom with me? (Basically, it means lets go to the party or something like that) Its a 1980s American high school prom concept, but the members took care of everything fromposing to filming Its a bit low budget, but they used that to their advantage. The self-cam asionally appears, and if it wasnt for that, they wouldnt have been able to capture this atmosphere. It definitely has an 80s vibe, but the beat is super modern. I looked up whoposed it, and found that its The Dawns rap member. Im at the stage of just getting into them, but Im getting deeper Rap member is Kang Ichae, manypliments His name is Kang Ichae, thank you These guys They have the ability to survive even on a deserted ind Thats right, even if they were shipwrecked, Seo Hoyun would calmly find a ce to stay, and Kang Ichae would be fishing beside him Agreed. Jeong Dajun would carve SOS with stones, but when he checks the next day, the waves have washed it away, and hell copse in despair Im going crazy just imagining it.] Themunity reaction was good, as was the fan reaction. The appeal that the members thought of Noeul and made it themselves seemed to work quite well. Good. I had worked hard and had fun filming in my own way. I buried myself in one of the vans chairs, checked various sites, and sighed in relief as I put down my cell phone. . Even when I got in the car, I still felt slightly nauseous, but I tried to distract myself by listening to music or monitoring. Honestly, the fan song was well done. The hyperventtion symptoms hadnt reappeared since then, maybe because I was too busy to catch my breath. And today was an important day. Hoyun, fighting!! When I reach the venue, not only the writer and director I saw before but also the actors will be there. Dont be nervous! You got praised for your audition! You can handle this script reading! Dont be scared! Do I look scared? Uh, no. I stared at my manager, who seemed more frightened than me. It appeared that he wanted to say something else. He finally added another unnecessary remark. Min Jiheon will be there when you go, so hell take good care of you. Wow. I covered my mouth andughed. Im really looking forward to it. And then, I got out of the van and scanned the building. Today, I had morebat power than any other day. Ill somehow corner him and find out. What the hell did that crazy Min Jiheon do to me? [1] Muggle is a term borrowed from the Harry Potter series, meaning someone who is not involved in or aware of the activities or interests of a particr group or fandom. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, kingkoon, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 90 Chapter 90 This chapter is generously sponsored by kingkoon. Hello! Oh, Seo Hoyun! I entered with a bright smile. Arge U-shaped table was set up, and Director Yu was sitting at the center where all the actors could be seen best. When he saw me, he quickly got up and offered a handshake. Seo Hoyun~! You made it. Yes, thank you for having me, Director. My constant smile seemed to puzzle the director, but he quickly patted my back and brushed it off. As I quietly took my seat where my name tag was ced, the other actors starteding in one by one. Uh, hello. Yu Jia, ying the protagonist, Yu Jeonghwa, warmly greeted Director Yu and then sat beside me. Yu Jia-sunbae, thank you for thest radio broadcast. I held back quite patiently, didnt I? I was itching to say something to you. Yu Jia responded with a sullen greeting. A lot of people are expecting great things from Seo Hoyun. Composer Lim Hyeonsu and PD Kim Heeyeon too. I dont know what to do with myself when you say that. I was just lucky. I sneakily threw bait. Yu Jia seemed to have a good impression of me because of Todays incident. Oh. However, Yu Jia just tilted her head with a meaningful smile. Do you have a habit of showing off? I closed my mouth. Yu Jia was scary. I got goosebumps thinking Seong Jiwon would be like that with a few more years of experience. Yes, its a habit. Im sorry. Well, its not like I have anything to say about that. And Im not telling you to apologize. I mean, of course, Yu Jia would know. I gave her a big piece of my mind at the filming site. Yu Jia scratched her cheek and drove the point home. I wish I had more juniors like you, really. Instead of responding, I just awkwardly smiled. Then I turned my gaze, and right on cue, someone opened the door and entered. Hello. Oh, hello! Hes here. The bracelet jingling on my arm, the blood scattering like red flower petals, the ringing noise piercing my eardrums, and the vivid pain. I still get dizzy whenever I recall the scene of the car ident. Min Jiheon, please sit here. Did Ie a bitte? Im sorry. My flight was dyed. No, you came just on time. Min Jiheon took his prepared seat. Unfortunately, it was right in front of me. When I lifted my head, our gazes, and he gave me a kindly smile. Hello, Seo Hoyun. Thankfully, he didnt call me a hyung in this ce. That meant he was a cunning guy who appeared to be nave. I mean, if he wasnt, he wouldnt have been able to maintain his top-star status, regardless of his good acting skills. But Min Jiheon messed with the wrong person. I was Seo Hoyun. Hello? I was fully prepared to give him a taste of The Dawns official troublemaker. Lets try killing each other today. *** The script reading proceeded sequentially. Since I had already memorized the entire script, all I had to do was match it ordingly. My manager standing across from me stared at me with an expression of disbelief, as if saying, He didnt even take any acting lessons, but I ignored him. PD! PD Lee Jeonghun! Even during the script reading, Yu Jia was the type who acted just as passionately as on set as she vividly expressed each line. Can I talk to you for a moment? It was a scene where Yu Jeonghwa, yed by Yu Jia, followed my character, PD Lee Jeonghun, out to talk. I paused, turned my eyes slightly, and sighed thinly. Then, trying to hide my exhausted expression, I said, Yes, Yu Jeonghwa, what is it? Last time, about the location shoot. I looked into it more, and I think the Gacheon area would be a better fit for the mission! No, that wont work. Why? Yu Jia was taken aback by the firm response. Understandable. The location and budget had already been set. The location has already been decided and approved. The budget is all nned. Unless something goes wrong, theres no need to look for another filming site. But, still By the way, did you finish the task I asked you to do before? Yu Jeonghwa hesitated for a moment. I took the opportunity to smile slightly. Yu Jeonghwa, just tell me honestly. Its okay. You havent finished it yet, right? Haha, yes. Haha. I slowly repeated after her, then licked my lips. Ha-ha And now, with all the anger toward Min Jiheon, I unleashed all sorts of improvised acting that went beyond the script. Usually, everyones eyes were glued to the script during the script reading, but this time, everyone was staring at me, mouths wide open. Min Jiheons eyes sparkled, which only angered me more. After finishing my lines, I asked Yu Jeonghwa. Did you understand? Yes. If you understood, you shouldnt just stand there. Go do your work quickly! Yes. Then, I pushed the script away. Yu Jia trembled. It was as if she was possessed by Yu Jeonghwa, and she was the one who received such thorough scolding. The following scene was about Yu Jeonghwa badmouthing PD Lee Jeonghun while talking to herself. Oh, whats up with Lee Jeonghun today? Did he get pped and kicked or something? Yu Jeonghwa cursed Lee Jeonghun while trembling. Since my part was over, I let out a sigh and opened a water bottle. At that moment, I locked eyes with some of the other actors sitting across from me. Their eyes looked fed up. Where can the jerk who harassed celebrities go? Where else could the nickname Devil PD havee from? Of course, it came from me. They thought the idol who just got in because of Min Jiheons influence wouldnt be any good at acting, so they were surprised. Lee Jeonghun was just like me. I really cant live properly because of Lee Jeonghun PD And then, Min Jiheons character, Min Seungtae, came back. Although he was Yu Jeonghwas childhood friend, he was a cold and calcting character with a ridiculous setting of being a chaebol. In short, he was a cunning and two-faced character. As Yu Jeonghwa grumbled, Min Seungtae tilted his head. Why, whats bothering you so much? Its just that hes really crazy Hes always picking on me Lately, it seems like hes just enjoying it. Do you want me to do something about it? At his words, Yu Jeonghwa, still unaware that he was a chaebol, paused for a moment. Its a bit scary when you say that because it feels like you could actually do something. Jeonghwa, is there anything I cant do for you? His diction and voice were so perfect that they were bound to stick in your head whether you liked it or not. Moreover, every line felt different, even though his tone barely changed. Min Jiheon looked at Yu Jia with affectionate, sparkling eyes as if nothing was more precious in the world. Several cameras from different actors agencies and the drama team carefully filmed the script reading BTS without getting into each others shots. The camera in charge of the drama teams BTS focused mainly on Min Jiheons face. If I were to edit that footage, I would have added a disgusting caption like Min Jiheons loving gaze time andzily kept the close-up of his face for about 30 seconds. Thements would have exploded regardless. Stop showing off, kid. And dont use informal speech. Im your noona. Haha. I came into this job because I love it not for the money. Its not about the money. As Yu Jia kept mumbling, trying to brainwash herself, Min Jiheon eventually burst intoughter. The corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement, and even Director Yu had a very pleased expression as he watched the pair. Yeah, that must be nice. After all, Min Jiheon is like a guaranteed sess at the box office. I had to work hard to maintain my facial expression. And soon, Min Jiheons solo script reading began. I intended to ignore whatever came out, but I couldnt. So? His typically ferocious personality was nowhere to be found, and only his cold, constricting voice enveloped the scene. A supporting actor hastily grabbed Min Seungtae by the arm. Mi-Min Seungtae! Please. If its Min Seungtae you can talk to the chairman, right? Im really, really desperate. You know, I loved you so much when you were a kid. Ha. Please, just say that I didnt do it and that I respect the chairman. It was a scene where a director who hadmitted corruption within thepany desperately pleaded with Min Seungtae for help. Min Seungtae was a character who had no interest in anything in the world except for Yu Jeonghwa. Yet, for some reason, people clung to him whenever something happened, probably because he was the chairmans favorite. They thought he would be easier to deal with than the chairman. And they didnt even know that he was the worse of the two. Min Seungtae justughed. Sometimes its fun. ? Then he hummed. Yes, yes? What, what are you talking about? In front of others, you guys call me young master but behind my back, Im a fucking bastard, the worst scum on earth, and now Im Min Seungtae again because you need something. I have one name, but so many titles, right? Min Seungtae didnt seem to care about the director, who he once called uncle when he was young. It was the director who betrayed Min Seungtae first, after all. Under his cold gaze, contempt and a hint of disappointment could be seen. So, the one who belonged here was just Min Seungtae. Are you in that much of a hurry? Yes, yes! The supporting actor ying the director shook his head frantically. Min Seungtae looked at him, let out a short moan, and said, But Im sorry, I dont think its my ce to say anything. !! Good luck? Ill let the chairman you respect so much know that his cute little dog has something to say. Then, Min Seungtae tapped his cheek with a long finger and smiled brightly. You got a beating from your grandson. This drama was intense. Min Jiheons sharp gaze and sarcastic words disappeared as soon as that scene ended, and he returned to his usual dull self. I couldnt help but drool at the sight. Wow Jeong Dajun would love this. There was a reason why Jeong Dajun was so excited about Min Jiheon. He was indeed an expert in this kind of shameless acting or so I thought for a moment. Excuse me, the writer said that the next scene is being revised so lets try the scene after Min Jiheons! Yes. Min Jiheon then showcased a very, very heartfelt performance. I couldnt help but take another look at the part where Min Jiheon started acting. [Feeling Min Seungtaes oddness, Yu Jeonghwa became confused and told him to step back for a moment Min Seungtae: (Tears dripping) Noona. (Quickly wiping his tears.) Im scared. For me, youre the scariest in this world. (Gently pulling on the hem of Jeonghwas clothes) Dont dislike me.] The line was simpler than I thought. But seeing this, I reevaluated Writer Kim Sukhui once again. Pushing such a cheap character this passionately into romance? Moreover, just moments ago, Min Jiheon was talking about a bastard dog with enough crassness to surprise people listening. Was it possible to cry right away when there would still be lingering emotions and feelings? No? Could it be that if youre an actor, that level of skill came as a basic requirement? Since its just a script reading it doesnt matter if they dont cry. However, disregarding my doubts, Jiheon seemed to control his emotions as soon as the staff finished giving directions. He took a deep breath and bit his lip. His eyes, which had been nk after the previous scenes reading, welled up and turned red instantly. Noona, I And along with the lines, he couldnt hold back his tears. Drops of tears ran down his cheeks and fell to his chin. !! I was astonished. Min Jiheon was amazing. Ah, shit He hurriedly wiped his tears with his sleeves, but the tears continued to flow. He picked up the words as they came to him, fearing that if he didnt say anything, it would really be over. His chin trembled from the overflowing emotions. Im scared. Jiheonno, Min Seungtae shook with fear as he thought his rtionship with Jeonghwa would be severed forever as she continued to push him away. For me, youre the scariest in this world Noona. After licking his lips several times, Min Seungtae finally hung his head. In the original scene, he was supposed to gently pull on Jeonghwas sleeve. Dont dislike me. Hes crazy. At that moment, all I could see was Min Seungtae. As if he were an ardent viewer, the director teared up while looking at Jiheon and withdrew tissues from a box to wipe his tears. Whats more, Jiheon seemed to have no problem with this level of emotional acting. In the following scenes, he became a cheeky, snarky guy again, then a passionate younger man who could only look at one person, and once again, a cocky, annoying chaebol third generation Damn, he just flew. He deserves the title Young Boss of Daepaseong Entertainment, this guy. But my focus wasnt on Min Jiheons acting right now. I had something else to check. While listening to Jiheons following lines, I tapped the table slightly and summoned a small system window. Hey,e out and see. Enjoyed this additional chapter? Big thanks to our sponsor, kingkoon, for making it possible! If youd like to see more, consider sponsoring a chapter yourself!
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 91 Chapter 91 Hey,e out. But it was quiet. With that, I came up with a theory. Good job! Good job~ Wow, Min Jiheons acting is daeeeabak. Its going to be even more amazing on set. Huh, even more?? Everyone, from the actors to the staff, seemed to have a good hunch after finishing the script reading for Episode 1, as they all had bright smiles on their faces. People started getting up one by one, with some flocking to the director, some to Yu Jia, and the majority swarming around Min Jiheon, practically forming a barrier with their bodies. As I quietly tidied up my script and got up, my manager standing behind me, grabbed my shoulder. When I turned my head, he was crying. Ho-Hoyun sniffle. Yes? If I had known that you loved acting so much, I would have let you try it sooner You think I like acting? What was this? As I incredulously asked him, my manager nodded, and tears dropped from the corners of his eyes. His sensitivity was crazily at its peak. If not, how could you be so good at it! You havent even had an acting lesson, so you must have practiced by yourself all those times, right? Sometimes, I cant help but be amazed by you, Manager. How could he have such a misunderstanding? As I let out an exmation close to ament, my manager had already convinced himself and wiped his tears with his sleeves as he nodded. Did thate out after watching Min Jiheons acting just now? Director Yu was startled by that nonsense when he happened to pass by us. What? Seo Hoyun is crazy about acting? Yes, Director Just look at our Hoyuns script. Its all worn out. This part is practically torn. Thats because Jeong Dajun spilled coffee on the edge. The director looked at the worn-out script and sighed deeply. I didnt even know! I really thought you had no interest. My goodness, I was so prejudiced. Seo Hoyun, youre amazing~. Even Yu Jia chimed in. She hade closer without me noticing, and her reaction instantly created a warm atmosphere. I hurriedly opened my mouth, not wanting to earn a title like An Idol Crazy about Acting. No, no! Compared to the passion of others, Im reallycking. But when they heard my words, the gazes looking at me seemed even more dangerously adoring. How can this be, even being modest! Im really sorry, Hoyun Director Yu suddenly said as he wiped away the teardrops the size of beans with his sleeve, It reminds me of when I first started Stop it. I came to catch Min Jiheon. Everyone was forming an iron wall around me, cooing and echoing my words, making me wonder what to do. Min Jiheon, meanwhile, was trying to slip away through the crowd. Fortunately, the conversation shifted to Yu Jias debut days just in time. Ill be right back; I need to use the restroom. Ah, sure, go ahead! No matter what I said now, they would just look at me fondly. Leaving the awkwardness behind, I quickly stepped out and caught up with Min Jiheon. He already got so far in such a short time. Min Jiheon, just a moment. Huh? Min Jiheon, who had just demonstrated divine acting, smiled sheepishly back at me. Hello? Im not in the mood for hellos. I wasnt in the mood to exchange greetings with someone who made me want to puke blood. Since there were many people around, I lowered my voice and asked, Do you have some time right now? Even if I dont, Ill make some. Could we chat, just the two of us, without the managers? Instead of answering, Min Jiheon stared at me intently. I couldnt read what he was thinking, only that he was slightly perplexed. Did we agree to use politenguage again? I cant remember well. Lets speak politely to each other. Yes. Sigh Oddly, every time I dealt with Min Jiheon, I lost my patience, so I dragged him to a cafe on the first floor of the building. As it was an awkward time, there were no people except the staff. It was perfect for having a talk with this suspicious guy. We ordered drinks, and as I tried to clear my mind, Jiheon seemed rather rxed. No, rather than rxed, he appeared to be thoughtless. Why did you call me? Why? Are you asking for a reason? Um. Jiheon chuckled. Then our drinks arrived. The staff smiled at Jiheon as they ced our drinks on the table. However, Jiheons focus was entirely on his drink. Huh. He tilted his head as he looked at the Americano before him. Did I order an Americano? You ordered atte. Did I? Never mind, Ill just drink it anyway. Well, that wasnt the important thing. I nced at Jiheon with a skeptical look and asked, Who are you? Im Min Jiheon. Sometimes, I was proud to say I hadnt killed Jiheon yet. Not your name. What do you do? An actor Oh, thats not the answer you want. Finally, Jiheonughed awkwardly. What did you do that time? How did you know I was in a car ident? How did you know that Im stuck in this shitty world. Uh, wait, wait. Jiheon raised his hand to stop my words and gulped down the Americano. Then he sighed softly, scratched his head, and smiled at me after a moment of thought. Hyung Dont get mad after hearing this, okay? Let me hear it. Jiheon muttered something under his breath, then blurted it out. To be honest, I dont really know!! I clenched my fist tightly to suppress the urge to hit the table. Gritting my teeth, I quietly called Jiheon. You little bastard. So you did get mad, huh? Tell me quickly. Before I lose my patience. Actually, my patience was already at rock bottom. Jiheon definitely knew something, as it was clear that he saw something I didnt know about at that time. But Jiheon just swirled the ice in his drink with a straw and grumbled indifferently. Id like to tell you, but honestly, theres nothing to say. I really dont know. As Jiheon held his drink, a bracelet jingled on his wrist. I figured that the power he had that day originated from the bracelet. As my gaze focused on it, Jiheon turned his eyes to follow mine, then touched the bracelet. I rubbed my tired eyes and then blurted out. Jiheon, youre right. I was originally 33 years old, and of course, I wasnt an idol. As you know, Im not from here I dont even know if Im a ghost or a human. Itsplete bullshit. Hmm? Jiheon slightly tilted his head. His reaction was strangely ufortable, but I moved on. Listen well: To return to my original world, I have to clear this scenario, this quest. It hadnt been a problem until now, yet it was undoubtedly strange from the start. Why did I have toe here? What was going on with me? So, if you can exin what this system is What do you mean by returning to your original word? Jiheon interrupted my words and asked an unexpected question. I furrowed my brows, taken aback. The world I was in, of course. Ah~. Jiheon let out a bted exmation. Then he closed his mouth and looked me up and down for a moment. What was he on about? Anyway, your exnation Hyung. As I was about to continue, Min Jiheon interrupted me again. I was slightly pissed off but held my tongue as Min Jiheon cautiouslyughed. Well, Id like to help too. Its just that This is a bit too strange for me to help with This guy I stared nkly for a moment, then closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Calm down, Seo Hoyun. Right now, I felt like I had met a top-notch,plete creature for the first time in a long while. No, it was also because Joo Woosung and Lim Hyeonsu were such pushovers. Min Jiheon seemed to be no pushover, so I kept wavering I am Seo Hoyun. Im telling you, I am Seo Hoyun. Lets just do what Ive been doing until now, just like that. I took a break for a beat and looked straight at Min Jiheon. Huh, Min Jiheon. Dont you want to continue being a celebrity? Iid out the card of threat. Of course, I knew nothing about Min Jiheon, but Lets just throw it out and see. Are you going to be able to hide it forever? Honestly, it was a long shot, but I thought it was worth a try. Will you be able to hide it forever? ! Thats right. There was a reaction when I threw it out. Well, of course, there was no one in this world without a single speck of dust when you shook them enough. Min Jiheon stroked his chin with a troubled expression. Damn it I can keep quiet if you just tell me the answer I want to hear. Min Jiheon looked straight at me and sighed. Well, I guess I cant hide it forever. Finally, a response came. With a gloomy expression, Min Jiheon noisily sipped his straw. Actually I eat a lot. Minimum 10 servings. Ah As I red at Min Jiheon with my clenched hands trembling, he wore a distant gaze and started to list other TMI. (Though none of them were damaging, they were actually elements that would ignite a fans heart.) My mom thought I had a parasite in my stomach, so we went to every hospital we could find. But there was nothing. They said I was just fine. Hey. I was just a pig. The pig rested his chin on his hand-made flower stand and grinned. But hyung um, youre threatening me now, right? Do you want me to threaten you in reverse? I looked at him with an expression that said, Go ahead and fucking try, you think you can do anything? but Min Jiheon shook his head. What? No, I like hyung quite a bit. I really hope it goes well. I enjoyed watching the Shining Star rerun I support The Dawn and like Hyungs subtly slippery personality too. Slippery? If the system window could appear right now, it would have frantically disyed question marks. Thanks to that, my n to spread false rumors about Min Jiheon by manipting data flew right out the window. Anyway. I was just asking because Min Jiheon mumbled, making crunching noises with the ice in his straw. If you want to hear the answer, isnt asking for a favor more normal than threatening. I just thought that was the sensible thing to do He was talking about the standard,mon-sense thing one would hear, not something a crazy person would go for. After racking my brain, I realized that was the case. If I had nothing to threaten him with, it was best to just give him something to hold onto. But it was shocking to be pointed out in such amon-sense way by someone who looked like they had nomon sense. Should I give up on Min Jiheon and look for another, another more fascinating person? No, no. Wheres the guarantee that theyll know something if I do that? Min Jiheon really does have some skills. That damn bracelet and those eyes that asionally grazed me strangely were proof. An item? He was someone who could even make the system window malfunction, so it wouldnt work. And given his intuition, the chances of it being blocked if I tried now were even higher. In other words, he was someone immune to all the strategies I had at my disposal. I red at him and asked, What do you want? Then, lets try persuasion.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 92 Chapter 92 What do you want? You adapt quickly, huh? As Min Jiheonughed awkwardly, his manager suddenly rushed over. His manager always seemed toe running in simr situations with a simr expression. Min Jiheon! Hey, you! Ah, hyung! Min Jiheon greeted him with a big smile and a wave, but Kim Seongcheol, the manager, looked restless as he approached. Hey! Do you know how scared I was? I thought you disappeared again! You should tell me if youre going somewhere! Come on, like I would do that? Your history is quite shy, you know?! I felt a little guilty since Id forcibly brought Min Jiheon to the coffee shop. Come to think of it, I hadnt mentioned anything to my manager either. Anyway, why are you with Seo Hoyun again? About that incidentst time? Its okay. Although he tried to whisper quietly, I could hear it clearly. The two seemed to have talked about what happened at the restaurantst time. Ah, how can he survive in this world being so nave Nave? Really?? Why were all the managers of Daepaseong like this? Did Daepaseong have a technique for only hiring people who were either dense or too kind during the interview process? Kim Seongcheol, the manager, nced at me after hitting his chest a few times as if frustrated, then cleared his throat. Ahem, hello, Seo Hoyun. Are you crazy? What part of Min Jiheon was nave? He was someone who didnt even flinch at the evil aura of Seo Hoyun! I bowed my head to the manager while inwardly fuming. Min Jiheon, being himself, was not paying attention to his managers words and just kept smiling and speaking as he pleased. Im d you came, hyung. I wanted to ask you something. Huh What is it? Did I want something recently? What nonsense is that? Why are you asking me? His manager grumbled but thought about it for a moment, then tilted his head. Eating a lot? Going on a food tour across Paldo? No matter how much I do that, its never enough I want to eat all the food in the world before I die. They say even the ghosts who die eating have a fairplexion. That seems to be true. As Min Jiheon mumbled his chilling joke, his manager suddenly pped his hands. Ah! Getting rid of people who make you ufortable? Didnt you sayst time that you found that actor annoying? That they were too clingy. An actor? Who? Dont you remember? As I slightly furrowed my brows, his manager nced at me, seemingly trying to gauge my reaction. That person originally had Seo Hoyuns role I mean, the role of PD Lee Jeonghun. The one who kept following you around saying they admired you. Ah, that that person. Min Jiheon scratched his head and pped his hands. I could bet that he hadpletely forgotten about that persons existence. Just then, a gleam shed across Min Jiheons eyes. What? Min Jiheon smiled as if he had a great idea in mind. Hmm~, does hyung know that person? Who? Why are you like this again? Are you already immersed in your role?! Although Kim Seongcheol spoke while stealing a nce at me, he seemed to want to let it pass for now. If he didnt bring it up, I would pretend I didnt know and act ordingly as well. Whether the manager said it or not, Min Jiheon didnt care and just kept smiling brightly. That actor, Lee Kangseok, said the script was so good that he wanted the role. He really appealed to me about it But hes a bit burdensome, so I rmended hyung to the writer instead. Did you sell me out because you didnt want to work with someone you hated and not for my sake? Haha, he ended up doing some supporting role in a drama that will air at the same time as ours. How could he act like that? I think I might need some practice before going to the audition I then remembered the man who suddenly picked a fight with me in the waiting room when I first auditioned for the drama. A sigh escaped from me. It was because of Min Jiheon. I red at Min Jiheon for unexpectedly providing the cause of the fight at that time, but he just shrugged his shoulders. Then he rubbed his mouth and thought seriously. Hmm, should I really help you out? What do you mean? Well, since I like you Min Jiheon smiled mischievously and mumbled the words scenario and quest I mentioned earlier. So, its like that, right? Then, he suddenly raised his head. Hyung, do you want to try a quest with me? A quest? I can also call it a bet. Staring at him with my mouth slightly open, I couldnt believe what he was saying. If you have enough acting skills to surpass that actor and our drama gets higher ratings-if you can fulfill these two conditions Min Jiheon grinned. Ill tell you what I know. Is he crazy? How could I surpass an actor with my acting skills? Besides, the ratings werent something I could control. Even if the script was good and the actors acted well, luck somewhat influenced the ratings. I red at him, but Min Jiheon didnt care as expected. Lets say the ratings are like that. How can you tell that my acting surpassed that person? Ill be the judge. It wouldve been nice if you could win a rookie award, but unfortunately, theres no suitable awards ceremony now. With such an ambiguous standard? What if you, Min Jiheon-sunbae, change your mindter? Hey, thats a bit disappointing, isnt it? His lips that had been slightly upturned throughout the conversation dropped in an instant, and in the most serious tone he had used so far, Min Jiheon said, I dont joke around when ites to acting. There was a unique arrogance and confidence in Min Jiheons eyes that was only seen when he was acting. I tapped the table with my finger, weighing the conditions I had at the moment. Imat a disadvantage. First, did I have any leverage over Min Jiheon? The answer was no. Secondly, what if Min Jiheon changed his words? It wasnt certain, but my instincts told me Min Jiheon wasnt lying. Slightly crazy artists didnt lie about their areas of expertise. Except for Lim Hyeonsu. Thirdly, was it worth taking on this ridiculous quest to get the answer from Min Jiheon? What are you going to do? I raised my gaze and looked at Min Jiheon. The system window was still quiet. Before, it had warned me not to act and not to meet Min Jiheon, but now it was silent as if it waspletely dead. It must mean that there was really something to hide. Therefore, the answer was You. Of course, I had to get something from this guy. If you dont keep this ambiguous promise, youre dead. I was prepared to strangle Min Jiheons neck if he didnt keep his promise. When he heard my answer, Min Jiheon got up as if his work was done. I dont want to die, so I wont go back on my word. Call me if you need anything? Ugh Min Jiheon signaled his manager, who was observing both of us with a peculiar expression, indicating that they should depart. Lets work well together with Yu Jia in our drama. Yes, Im looking forward to working with you. Manager Kim Seongcheol, whose gaze had subtly dropped then lifted, trailed behind Min Jiheon as he departed. Finding myself alone, I subconsciously tightened my grip on the stic cup to the point it crumpled. *** Oh! Hoyun is here. Why didnt you answer your phone? Min Jiheons aggro removal When I returned to the practice room, Seong Jiwon was practicing again, drenched in sweat and smiling brightly as he greeted me. I casually put down my bag and replied, Did you call me? Yeah, others too, and the kids were really worried. Did he have anything to say? When I asked with my eyes, Seong Jiwon awkwardly changed the topic. Lets talk about thatter. How was the script reading today? It was fine. Hmm Seong Jiwon squinted at me. So much had happenedtely that all the members intuition was on par with ghosts. Ignoring his gaze on purpose, I took the script out of my bag and asked, So, why did you contact me? Well I was going to tell you when we were all together. Where are the kids now? Practicing in the recording studio! We need to prepare for our nexteback song~. They were so diligent. Actually, I wasnt really curious about Kang Ichae. That kid had already recovered mentally, so without even looking, I knew hed be holed up in his dorm or Lim Hyeonsus studio, praising each other as the best, the greatest, and the most genius while working. Ive already asked the manager about acting lessons. Since thepanys finances have improved quite a bit, theyd be more than happy to provide them. Acting skills No matter how I thought about it, the criterion for better acting skills than Lee Kangseok was too vague. I need something that Min Jiheon cant change. Something like that. As I pondered on a more certain method, Seong Jiwon kept fidgeting beside me. Hoyun, Hoyun You know Why? You look happy? Haha, does it show? Seong Jiwon smiled shyly and plopped down beside me. Todays our settlement day. ! Damn! I hadpletely forgotten about such important news. As a small citizen of capitalist South Korea, I quickly pulled out my phone. Did you see it? Haha, not yet. I dont know how much I havent received the statement yet. Do the kids know? Yeah. We were going to check it together when everyones here Oh. Just then, my phone rang. The manager posted a message in the group chat: Settlement has been processed, please check!! As soon as Seong Jiwon and I exchanged nces, the practice room door mmed open. Hyungs!! The first one to rush in was Jeong Dajun. Kim Seonghyeon followed him, wearing a hat pulled low and staggering in with a pale, ghostly face. Did you guys look at the settlement money? Hey, we said wed look at it together when everyones here! Ugh, Im sorry. My fingers were just too itchy! But thats not the problem! Jeong Dajun slid on his knees and performed a ceremony of blowing a hand kiss. Im happy to be an idol! Ill dance until my bones wear out, thank you!! Jeong Dajun, how much did you get to be this excited? Even the kind Seong Jiwon ignored Jeong Dajun. Why is he making such a fuss As I sighed and opened the bank app, Seong Jiwon took out his phone. It had been a while since Ist checked my tearful, empty ount. Checking it always made me angry and want to smoke Anyway, I wondered how much we had earned from our activities in thest six months. I had heard that we had passed the break-even point by a lot, but I thought maybe around 2,000. After I opened my ount, I doubted my eyes for a moment. It seemed Seong Jiwon had the same reaction. I quickly counted the digits. One, ten, hundred,. Hyung!! While I was startled and blinking after checking the amount, Jeong Dajun clung to me. His pure delight at encountering such arge sum for the first time was evident on his still-young face. Hyung, its awesome! Awesome!! Uh, yeah it is. I couldnt believe it, so I checked my phone again. We had passed the break-even point, and since they didnt charge us for training costs, it was an incredible amount. Wow even so. It was far from the guarantee we had been offered back when we were doing well, but this amount in just six months Its crazy. Were gonna earn even more in the future. Kim Seonghyeon had been quiet the whole time. He then walked over weakly and slumped against the wall. He rubbed his face with both hands and buried his face in his knees, speaking in a trembling voice. Seo Hoyun Why are you crying? Ah, please Annoyed by the joke, Kim Seonghyeon finally asked, Can I stop feeling sorry for my parents now? Ah. About six months ago, when I first entered this practice room, he asked me about the words Id thrown out full of spirit. Other kids go to college or work part-time jobs to make money, whereas we rely on our family andpany for financial support. I chuckled. You have a lot to be sorry for. You said it yourself. Back then, it was so hopeless Ouch! Kim Seonghyeon yfully hit me with the hat he was holding. But it really hurt. As the two of us argued, Seong Jiwon suddenly stood up and called somewhere. Hello, Grandma! Yes its Jiwon. Yeah, Im eating well. I wanna call too! Oh, right me too. Seeing that, everyone got up, grabbed their phones, and went outside. I stared nkly at the closed door, and a system window appeared. Ding! [Not gonna call?] Whats the point? [To your brother.] Pfft, no thanks. I knew that even if I bragged about making a lot of money, he would just worry first. The door opened again as Iy down on the practice room floor. Kang Ichae, chewing a piece of gum as always, came in. Today, he was chewing it very intensely. Hyung, whats up? Did you check your settlement? He seems too calm about it. Kang Ichae was the member who earned the most among us. He had written several songs. I thought the amount he received might be different when he just nodded his head. Oh, I saw it. Oh, you saw it? What the hell? So, everyones excited like puppies seeing snow for the first time? Kang Ichae was too indifferent. Wasnt it an incredible amount for a first settlement? No, even normally, it wasnt an amount you could easily touch. But Kang Ichae didnt seem to care much about the settlement. Hey down beside me and started ying a rhythm game on his phone. Did you do well in script reading? Of course. Yeah And after a long silence, Kang Ichae added nonchntly. So thats what happened.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 93 Chapter 93 What did you say? I asked, but Kang Ichae didnt answer and continued ying a few more rounds of his rhythm game. He soon wilted and threw his phone aside as he muttered, Im hungry I had a strange feeling that he was ignoring me. Keeping an uneasy gaze on him, I had a sudden hunch. Could this be a chance to win over Kang Ichae? Ding! [Im not exactly sure what youre thinking, but it doesnt seem like that.] Ignoring the system windows tackle, I cleared my throat. Ichae, you know Im always by your side, right? What nonsense are you talking about? Whenever youre struggling, Im always by your side, ready to listen. I dont need it, though. He didnt match my pace today and was quite cranky. Kang Ichae, staring intently at my rotting face, smirked slightly. I know youre ready to listen but you dont know what others want to hear. ! Even after that incident, Kang Ichae returned to his usual self without a word and yed around. I thought it was just passing by Wasnt it? Theres only one conclusion. Is this a sign of a breakup? An opportunity for our team to divide because of individual activities? Did Kang Ichae express his dissatisfaction because of the teams atmosphere or something like that? Paak! I sat up and threw the script exaggeratedly to the corner of the practice room. Kang Ichaes eyebrows wriggled. Should I not do it? What? Should I not do this? You dont like my individual activities? Ichae, just say the word, and Ill listen. As I tried to control the atmosphere and listen to anything, Kang Ichae, looking quite displeased, spat a hollowugh and stared at me. Youre funny~. Saying just the word. He fucking mocked me. Even if you make up your mind to do it your way, you still make a fuss about it. It hurts a little. It hurts because its true. And stop whining. Its annoying when you only do that when its not in your favor. Ding! [(omission)] The system window that had been cautiously watching my every move for several days was nowughing at me. This was the first time I saw the being abused like this, and I felt a littleno, very offended. Whether I was sitting helplessly or not, realizing that such coaxing wouldnt work on Kang Ichae anymore, he picked up his phone again. Ah Im really hungry. Kang Ichae rolled over while lying down, then suddenly got up. Wow, shit Kang Ichae was really cranky today. I couldnt figure out how to deal with his 21-year-old puberty, but his expression returned to normal. Was he over it now? Lets go eat with the members. Order whatever you want. I, not hyung, will treat you. Lobster, Almas caviar, Wagyu sirloin steak. For dessert, Hawaiian Kona coffee. Nope, he was still upset. *** Cough! Cough! Why is he acting like that again? Leave him be. He wants to make a toast. Even though his expression returned to normal, I had to appease Kang Ichaes constant whining with beef. Finally, we reached an agreement. Jeong Dajun, who was deeply immersed in a drama hed watched recently, stood up, tapping a ss filled with frothy soda using a fork. I sincerely thank everyone who came today. Maknae Jeong Dajun pays his respects. The hyungs pped their hands casually as they grilled the meat. Finally, after all the hard work!! We received a significant settlement. Sob, its so touching! I couldnt help but snicker at the sight of Jeong Dajun wiping away his fake tears with a thin recycled tissue he took from the table. Doesnt he seem to be getting more brazen as time goes on? Hoyun, youre not in the position to say that. Hes following your lead. They say kids should be careful even when drinking water in front of them. Seong Jiwon attacked, and Kim Seonghyeon backed him up. After taking a beating from Kang Ichae earlier, I now received a right hook, left hook, and jabs from Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon. Iforted myself by diligently putting beef in my mouth. I dedicate this honor to all my hyungs to Manager-hyung, to Smooth Executioner Jiwo-hyung, to Seonghyeon-hyung, who can cure myopia with a mere nce, to the most handsome in The Dawn, Ichae-hyung, and to the coolest, Hoyun-hyung! If I were to list all of that persons talents, there would be endless praises! Just one verse. I shoved a piece of meat wrap into Jeong Dajuns mouth as he was reciting a toast. Mmway, churs ~!! Cheers~ We all clinked our cider sses together. Since it was the day of the settlement, everyone was still a bit excited. Jeong Dajun asked with a mouthful of meat. Hyungs! Are you going to buy anything? I dont have anything in particr. Ugh, boring~. Being boring is the best, you know? It meant that there were no issues. At my response, Jeong Dajun burst into jeers and held a spoon like a microphone, shoving it in front of Kim Seonghyeon. Im thinking of paying off some of my familys debt. Eh?! Seonghyeon-hyung, you have a lot of debt? No, its not much. I have a lot of siblings, so there are some small debts here and there. Youre not going to use it all up, are you? When Seong Jiwon asked worriedly, Kim Seonghyeon waved his hand. No, no. Its not much, so I can pay it off. Ive asked my parents for a lot of help since I was a trainee So, Im just repaying them. What about you, Jiwon-hyung? Seong Jiwon thought hard. Then, he fiddled with his fingers and smiled faintly. I want to have a meal with my grandmother. Oh! Filial son, filial son! Ahaha. The conversation naturally moved to thest person, Kang Ichae. Pretending not to care, Ichae stuffed some meat into his mouth and tilted his head at the gathered gazes. I dont have anything particr either. Dajun, what should I buy for you? Eh? At that remark, Jeong Dajun was startled. Kang Ichae casually continued while flipping the meat. What do you want? Shoes or clothes? Hyung, I got my settlement too. Im fine! Ah, okay, okay~. Jeong Dajun sullenly refused the offer. As I put grilled kimchi in the wrap, I nced at Kang Ichae. He had been a bit strange since thest time. He had a slightly different sense of money than ordinary people Thats what I meant. Kang Ichae looked up, and our eyes met, so I naturally turned my head and asked Jeong Dajun. Dajun, what are you going to spend your money on? As for me! Jeong Dajun blushed slightly. Im going to put it in my savings ount! I have a savings ount from when I was in elementary school, where I collected my pocket money. Im going to put it in there! We all silently put meat and side dishes on Jeong Dajuns rice. Dajun was confused, not knowing the reason as we moved on to the next topic. So, when does the filming start? In three days. What? Thats so fast. We have to shoot for two months and then start promotions right away. What are you guys going to do in the meantime? For a moment, the members sneaked nces at each other and exchanged opinions with their eyes before putting down their chopsticks. Weeell, actually. What? Thats right~. What is it? Why were they dragging their words out nervously? What should we do? It seems like we can tell him now. Seong Jiwon looked at Kim Seonghyeon, who decided it was the right time and opened his mouth. Me and Dajun, we decided to appear on a dance variety show. Huh? Its a dance program The nning is really fresh. PD Kim Heeyeon rmended it, too. Joo Woosung-sunbae might also appear. Oh~. Just as we were about to p and admire, Seong Jiwon cut in. Actually, Im going to sing the OST for Hoyuns drama. Oh~? Then, is Ichaeposing the song? Wow, it was amazing. You know, when Ichae-hyung found out about the OST offer from Cheongbeom, he stayed up all night like crazy working on the beats and samples. He then went to pitch it. But why didnt I know? Ultimately, I, the genius Kang Ichae, seeded. Its a real mystery where this talentes from Dont try to make rhymes with your name.[1] Jeong Dajun disapproved, but Kang Ichae shamelessly added a few more rhymes, diligently chewed some more beef, and swallowed. Also, Im currently working on the title and B-side tracks for our regr album with Composer Lim Hyeonsu. Its already keeping me busy. Oh? Everything was good. Everything was fine Why was all this news pouring in all at once? I asked while scooping up some kimchi with chopsticks. Whats the matter with you guys? The members were taken aback. Are you excluding me? Why didnt I know? Ahaha! The members awkwardlyughed and scratched their heads. An expression that meant Whos going to say it? went back and forth between them until the Buddha-like Seong Jiwon spoke up. Well, actually, we talked about it a lot. What? Hoyun, we thought you might be burdened by acting as a personal activity. Well, wasnt that true? But we thought it would be great if you could try everything you want and can do. Thats right! Hyung! We have to try everything! So, its better to do individual activities separately and regroup for the regr album. The members exined further and burst intoughter. Jeong Dajun, who usually chattered away, seemed to have been frustrated by keeping this a secret. As soon as Seong Jiwon finished speaking, he brushed his chest andughed heartily. Kyah! We finally said it. We meant to tell you earlier but we missed the timing. Right. Finally, I understood how things were going. I caught Kang Ichaes eyes and realized why he acted as he did. I took a sip of water and let out a deep sigh. Thanks. ! You guys thought a lot about it I can finally rx and get things done. Everyones eyes widened, and they suddenly piled side dishes on my rice, just like we had done to Jeong Dajun earlier. Hoyun, dont you like this? Hyung! Hyung! You know mushrooms grilled in meat fat are the tastiest, right? Lets bnce the nutrients. Hey, a wrap. Eat some vegetables. Everyone, buzz off. Okay, Okay~, its okay to be grumpy today~. I had a sudden realization. Although it felt like I was carrying everything on my own, I relied on them in many ways. The choreography was always carefully crafted by Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun, the songs by Kang Ichae, and the team management by Seong Jiwon. I was just prominent in the visible parts. Even so, if they wanted me to ridefortably on their efforts it would be nice to take a break and blend in sometimes. Geez, Im making a big deal out of wanting to ride the bus. I shrugged my shoulders and quietly ate my meal. Kim Seonghyeon put another piece of meat in my rice bowl and snickered. Eat a lot, and Im looking forward to the drama, PD Seo. I couldnt help butugh at that. I never thought Id hear Kim Seonghyeon call me PD Seo. *** [Today is Hoyuns first filming Im so nervous] [Shit, I feel more nervous than preparing for my masters thesis presentation. What should I do? What can I do? Ill just go all-in on Seo Hoyun and abandon my thesis Ah, fucking straightforward ] The drama had already started filming three days before, but today was my first day on set. As I walked down from the van, it seemed the previous scene had finished filming as the staff moved equipment around. Hello. Seo Hoyun, hello! As I exchanged greetings with the staff, I looked around and saw that most of the other actors seemed to be wrapping up and leaving, as if the previous scene was thest one to be filmed that day. At that moment, Yu Jia spotted me as she passed by and greeted me casually. Is today your first day of filming? Hello, Yu Jia-sunbae. I wanted to say you must be nervous but Yu Jia chuckled and thenughed. Seo Hoyun doesnt seem like the type to get nervous. Good luck! I smiled awkwardly. Yu Jia was really quick on her feet. Well, if I had to admit, Im more worried about messing up than being nervous. As I took in more of the set, I found my ce at the table set for me, and the hairstylist promptly began working on my hair. Unexpectedly, Min Jiheon, the person Id resolved to put in his ce this year and who had audaciously dered himself the guest of honor, made an abrupt entrance. Seo Hoyun! He was still formal in addressing me when we were on set. Min Jiheon leisurely looked around the set. For a guy who couldnt distinguish between humans and ghosts, he had a rather clean gaze. It feels new seeing it from here~. Yes. I replied curtly, but Min Jiheon didnt seem to want to have a conversation and just sat down on the chair beside me, slouching in it. After a while, a staff member approached and spoke to Min Jiheon. Min Jiheon. Min Jiheon! Ah, sorry. Min Jiheon, having spaced out, responded a beat toote. As if used to this sort of thing, the staff simply gave an exnation, then walked away. Min Jiheon scratched his cheek and then slouched in his chair again. He looked like azy sloth, so I unconsciously spoke to him. Do you always have trouble listening? Is that what you really want to say? I feel like youre cursing at me with your eyes. Lets prevent excessive self-consciousness and regain a healthy life. I wanted to show this kid that useless article on preventing narcissism. Min Jiheon smiled awkwardly. Well, its not that I have trouble listening. Min Jiheon cleared his throat several times, then tapped the chairs armrest with his finger as he spoke. Its just safer to ignore things a couple of times first. Why? Min Jiheon didnt seem like the kind of guy who would bully someone, but I was curious and continued to ask. He murmured with a wistful gaze. Sometimes, I mean, very rarely, I have moments like that. If I identally respond, they really chase after you all the way home. Having them hold a grudge or steal my body while I dream is just the beginning. Once, they almost really stole my body. The atmosphere got chilly. Not believing him, I just moved my mouth. Is that true? Yeah. Jiheons life is surprisingly tough too. Min Jiheon, with his slightly drooping eyes, looked genuinely troubled, so I decided to let him use the third person this time. But, hyung, sometimes you look like that too, you know? [1] The word (mystery) in the sentence rhymes with (Kang Ichae).
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 94 Chapter 94 Me? Yeah! Its totally confusing! I would have ignored it as usual, but brushing it aside wasnt simple this time as it might be true. I narrowed my eyes and asked, Do I do I look like some kind of ghost or something? What the hell was he talking about to someone alive and well? Min Jiheon looked me up and down when he heard that. Then, with a serious expression, he tilted his head slightly, making me more nervous. Hmm. I dont know. You seem fine now. Just a little bit suspicious. Min Jiheon, your words keep changing, but theyre all useless, you know? Do you know that you can be quite harsh? Min Jiheon murmured, Too harsh, with a hurt expression. Seo Hoyun,e in now. Lets start filming! Yes. Leaving Min Jiheons annoying words behind, I stepped confidently into the camera frame. I checked my position first, and then Yu Jia entered. The scene of our characters first encounter. Ugh! Im nervous. What should I do?! If the director is this nervous, what else can we do? Seo Hoyun, its okay. Just actfortably. There wasnt much to say since the staff and the director were all trying tofort me. I just gave a faint smile when Yu Jia spoke to me. Hoyun, lets do our best. Please take care of me, sunbae. Once the preparations were done, Director Yu signaled from behind the camera. The AD came forward to mark the editing point and hit the te. Scene 15, Take 1! Yu Jeonghwa walked toward the rooftop railing and shouted cheerfully in sync with the timing. Ah! Lets do our best today too!! I didnt know why there always had to be a scene in dramas where someone yells from the rooftop to make a resolution. It was a scene where sheforts herself after making several mistakes at her first job and getting scolded by her seniors. Yu Jeonghwa took a deep breath and shouted again. Neers are supposed to make mistakes! Lets do better next time and hang in there! Hang in there! Hanging in there is the key to sess! Yu Jeonghwa, fighting! I heard that Writer Kim Sukhui had a tough working life, and her mindset seemed reflected in the dialogue by about 80%. Excuse me, do you know where the variety show department is? It was my turn to turn around when I heard that line. I nodded my head and replied slowly, Its on the fifth floor below. I remembered what the hastily hired acting trainer had told me to do. Think of the character in three dimensions and so on. I recalled the theories I had crammed into my head and opened my mouth. Yes, its on the fifth floor. There was a slight tremble in Yu Jeonghwas eyes. Hmm? Something caught my attention, but I controlled my emotions as the trainer emphasized and continued delivering my line. Are you a new employee? Yes, Im Yu Jeonghwa, assigned to the variety show department this month. Variety show department. Cut! When we reached that point, the director slightly tilted his head and called cut. ? I didnt understand why, and when I turned around, the director was frowning at the monitoring screen. Whats wrong? Hoyun, were you nervous because its your first time, right? At his words, a lightughter burst out from the filming set. Huh? I wasnt nervous at all. Yu Jia had now reverted to her real self from the character Yu Jeonghwa. She pped her hands lightly, trying to change the atmosphere. Hoyun, shall we try it again? Yes, Im sorry. Since there was an NG, I quickly apologized, and the director, who still had a favorable impression of me, waved his hand. Then, filming resumed right away. Are you a new employee? Yes, Im Yu Jeonghwa, assigned to the variety show department this month. Variety show department. Cut! The second take failed. Yes, its on the fifth floor. Cut! The third take failed. Whats going on? I was doing everything as usual. No, I was even trying harder than before. Confused and not knowing what to do, Director Yu spoke up. Um should we take a break for now? Feeling flustered, I hurriedly approached Director Yu after being kicked off the set. Director, Im sorry for causing so many NGs. Can you tell me what the problem is? Well, Hoyun. Its not a big deal. Youre doing a good job. Its just that. Yes? Its not the same as when I saw you at the audition or during the script reading. Back then, I thought, Wow! This is PD Lee Jeonghun~.'' Director Yu scratched his head. Right now, it feels a bit like youre just acting? Of course, its natural for actors to act. Director Yu shrugged, seemingly unsure of his own exnation. But he said there was no other way to exin it. Not understanding, I rewound the filmed scene to monitor it, and Yu Jia approached me. It seems like the director has high expectations. Im sorry, sunbae. After bowing my head in apology, I went to a corner of the set and quietly looked down at the script. I then recalled what the acting trainer had told me: focus on proper pronunciation and emotions. Strange At that moment, Min Jiheon, who had been watching from somewhere, suddenly appeared, slurping down his coffee. Jiheons appearance. This was crazy, seriously For a moment, I thought he and Kang Ichae would make a perfect pair. After finishing his coffee, Min Jiheon yawned. Seo Hoyun, did you get an acting trainer? Excuse me? That seems to be the problem. What kind of nonsense was that? Just as I thought his words were dragging on, he seemed to realize that not many people were paying attention to us, so he brazenly continued. Um I dont know what the trainer told you, but you just need to be yourself on the show. Youve been PD Lee Jeonghun all along. Why make thingsplicated? ! Wait, thats true? You look awkward because youre trying to act unnaturally. Its like putting an unnecessaryyer on top, blurring the essence. Hes right? The only thing worth listening to from the trainer might be well, your vocalization. Your diction is already good, but its different from the vocalization of most actors. Hes spot on?? Why are you staring at me like that? No, its just a bit shocking I thought he was always half-hearted and blunt, but when he talked seriously about acting, I couldnt help but be taken aback. Min Jiheon must really be passionate about acting Only when someone was deeply invested in something could they urately pinpoint another persons problem and give advice. ording to Jeong Dajun, his acting skills have recently soared to an almost divine level. He might have been possessed. I looked at him slightly differently, and Min Jiheon smiled awkwardly. Did I sound too much like a sunbae? But I find it burdensome to be admired too much. Im a bit annoyed by that sorry. Dont worry, theres absolutely no need to worry about that. Alright. Taking a deep breath, I calmed my nerves and stepped back onto the set. *** Yu Jia touched up her makeup and went back for the fourth take. Seo Hoyun had been talking with Min Jiheon and came back with a slightly sour expression. Are they not on good terms? But the moment his eyes met Yu Jias, his expression returned to normal. Yu Jia chuckled. Hes pretty good at hiding it, but he has so many enemies everywhere. Yet he doesnt seem to care much about it Yu Jia didnt think much of it. Since her childhood, she had been rolling around in the rough entertainment industry, so she could tell if someone was going to make it or not. Seo Hoyun clearly belonged to the former group. After all, hes the one who sets the stage, so theres no way hell fail. Still, Yu Jia always felt a strange feeling when looking at him. He was desperate, but he wasnt the type who was desperate for the thrill of the stage. But could such a person really dive headfirst into bing an idol? Sunbae, please take care of me once again. Me too. Interesting For better or worse, Yu Jia liked Seo Hoyun quite a bit. He was clean, didnt cross the line, and took care of his own business without being interested in others. Such juniors were always the best. Alright, cue again! As the te came down, she transformed into Yu Jeonghwa again. She got up with determination and grabbed the passing PD Lee Jeonghun. Excuse me, do you know where the variety show department is? PD Lee Jeonghun nced at her, and she couldnt help but be surprised. Underneath the slightly tired eyes, there was indifference. He really looked like a zombie office worker wandering around Yeouido. Yes, its on the fifth floor. As Yu Jeonghwa nodded her head in confusion, Seo Hoyunno, Lee Jeonghun looked at her ID card and asked lightly, Are you a new employee? Oh, whats this? Yes, Im Yu Jeonghwa, assigned to the variety show department this month. Ah. After hearing that, a trace of disappointment crossed his tired eyes. Variety show department Wow. Yu Jia was impressed. Im kind of jealous. It didnt feel like acting. Seo Hoyun was PD Lee Jeonghun. Even without any special lines, he was able to convey annoyance with just the phrase variety show department, as if he had already experienced that departments hardships. It was only natural. For Seo Hoyun, who barely slept when he was in the variety show department and always had a pillow ready to use in his office, it was a real-life role. As he looked at the flustered Yu Jeonghwa, Lee Jeonghun hummed and made a short sound. Then I wonder which show youll be assigned to It better not be mine, though. Show? Ah, yes. Sorry for thete introduction. Im PD Lee Jeonghun. Really?! Youre THAT PD Lee Jeonghun?! Do you know me? The person, who had a pretty friendly appearance, was the one rumored to be the difficult and often controversial Lee Jeonghun. Caught off guard, Yu Jeonghwas response was a stuttered, open-mouthed surprise. Seeing her reaction, Lee Jeonghun narrowed his eyes. That PD, huh. Im curious how a new employee who just joined heard about me. Shit! Yu Jeonghwa tried to be clever. PD? Yes? Are you not a celebrity? Yu Jeonghwa threw a Hail Mary, and after looking at her, Lee Jeonghun opened his eyes wide for a moment before bursting intoughter. His lips curled up, and his eyes twinkled beautifully as they turned into crescents. Your social skills are amazing. Congrattions. Youll do well wherever you go, Ms. Yu Jeonghwa. He seemed genuinely surprised at her ability to tter. Unable to respond to Lee Jeonghuns sudden pronouncement, Jeonghwa stuttered and looked at his radiant face. Lee Jeonghun bid her farewell and left the camera frame without waiting for a reply. He does seem quite rude As she was left alone, she mussed up her hair and muttered nkly, Should I bury my bones at this job? Jeonghwa had a crush on him. She just hadnt realized that she was destined to be grilled by the evil PD in the future Cut! The director gave a thumbs-up with a gleaming look in his eyes. A thumbs-up. It was an expression that only came out when the director was extremely satisfied. *** This is exactly the picture I wanted! Seo Hoyun and Yu Jia are perfect! The neers these days are really scary. Theyre like sponges, able to take instructions so easily~. Hahaha, thank you. Theres no acting hole! Min Jiheon, of course, and Yu Jia and Seo Hoyun, too! It feels rewarding to hold the megaphone~! After the first shoot, the director praised them until his mouth went dry. Min Jiheon, uninterested in such things, was just eating snacks in the shooting area. He ate about ten servings during thest meal I really understand why he said they took him to every hospital. I think I would have traveled all over the country to make sure my younger brother wasnt sick if he ate that much. How can you act so well? I heard it hadnt been long since youve taken acting lessons at Daepaseong Haha, no. Im just worried about causing trouble. Hmmm. Yu Jia, already good at acting and ambitious about her work, wanted to hear his know-how on how to improve further. However, Theres nothing like that. I didnt need to try to understand Lee Jeonghun. I just had to remember all the terrible experiences I had during my time as an evil PD. Every time I smiled innocently during the script reading, I was thinking about our department head when I was still a PD. But Director Yu and Writer Kim Sukhui misunderstood as they burst into a chilling scream, saying, Its really scary. Anyway, good job on the first shoot today! Id love to have a dinner party if I could, but we have a shoot at dawn tomorrow. Haha. Well have a party when the first episode airs, right? Thats true, hahaha! The director repeatedlyughed at the sessful shoot and disappeared. I greeted all the staff and actors and returned to the van. My manager wasnt there, as he was talking to some people. Ding! [Youre practically a free pass, a free pass! You act so naturally.] Its been a while since I saw the system message. I bit into some candy while looking at it. Did you enjoy the strike? [It wasnt a strike, okay?] Really? Then did you enjoy your vacation? Did you go to Hawaii or something? [Yes, it was great, I went surfing ^^] Surfing my ass After epting the acting offer, the system message seemed to hold a grudge against me as it gritted its teeth in response. I could feel it very clearly, even through the text. Lets get to the point. [] What are you, you little bastard?
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 95 Chapter 95 As if it really had emotions, the system window seemed flustered. It made a crackling noise like it was filled with static. As time passed, I became more convinced that this wasnt just a simple system but something. I deliberately endured the silence and waited, and in the end, the system window gave up first. A new window popped up. [What did you hear from Min Jiheon?] I thought it would just slip away again, but it didnt. Surprisingly, the system window responded with a question of its own. I looked at it and raised my eyebrows. Why? Whats bothering you? [If you didnt, theres no way you can bother this cute system window >_<] Out of habit, I rummaged through my pocket and took out a piece of candy. Didnt you hear earlier? Min Jiheon said hes going to shut you downpletely. As I said that and peeled the wrapper off the candy to chew on it, the system window couldnt reply and just crackled. It really seemed a bit flustered, so I touched the corners of my mouth andughed. Ahaha. Of course, Min Jiheon shutting it down was a lie. If the system window was always shut down and couldnt listen if Min Jiheon was around, it would have done something about it. But the fact that the system window didnt reply right away seemed like it was hesitant about something. Also, I had never heard the system window ask anything about Min Jiheon and me when it was gone. It was actually the opposite, for it was always hesitant to say anything, thinking I might notice something. It appeared to me that it just couldnt figure out how to answer my question. I think I can prove it. Why are you so stupid Huh? Back then, there was no doubt that it began to have some kind of reaction with Min Jiheon. Even after meeting Min Jiheon, the system window continued to be calm, with no noticeable reaction. So, I had two hypotheses. Whenever I confronted Min Jiheon, either the system was disconnected by a strange power or shied away from Min Jiheon and hid on its own. However, if the former were true, it meant I had to suffer the same agony I felt that day every time Min Jiheon was around. But what about now? I was sitting perfectly fine in the van and arguing with the system window so it was not that. Then there was only one conclusion. The system window was very ufortable with Min Jiheon, blocking itself when he was around. Whats really bothering you? Now Im getting so curious. [] Now that Ive proven my hypothesis, it was time to throw a bait. I put another piece of candy in my mouth. Youre attached to me. Thats undoubtedly true But how? What on earth for? The blue window only shook with no answer. I decided to ask this question more precisely. Why did Ie to this world? It was a question I hadnt been able to ask because I was so busy dealing with one situation after another. Whether it was the main scenario or whatever, Ive beenpleting quests as they came, but I didnt know why I was here in the first ce. I was moving forward with the hope that I could return to my original world But I hadnt asked why I was here in the first ce. Ive been running forward, overlooking the most basic thing. The system window seemed to be wavering as if it were pondering. I didnt expect it to answer obediently, so I was about to brush my hair when suddenly a message popped up. [Thats too mean] Sigh [Im working my bones off for Seo Hoyun and you always tell me off Do you trust Min Jiheon more than the system window youve been with since the beginning??] Just go away. It was pretending to be all balled up and acting nice. The text on the blue window wasnt enough for me to fullyprehend the system windows intentions. Therefore, I clicked my tongue and turned the window off. The moment I did that, a notification popped up urgently. Ding! [Min Jiheons Job: Actor Nickname: Scammer, Unbelievable Swindler, Shaman, Pig Characteristics: A scammer who deceives people and only takes their money. Dont be fascinated by what he shows! Warning!] I already know Min Jiheon is a scammer. Anything else you want to say? [No.] Then go surf or something. And then I very politely gave it the middle finger. As far as I could see, the system window and Min Jiheon were two of a kind. Just in time, my manager arrived and opened the drivers door. Ugh, Im still sweaty. Hoyun, how are you feeling? Im fine. Lets head back to the dorm. Alright, the best driver is taking off~. I leaned back on the seat, exhausted. Usually, the system window would annoyingly pop back up when I closed it, but it was quiet this time. I thought it had finally stopped, but I heard an ominous notification sound. Ding! [Choices:
  1. Manager-hyung, lets aim for the acting award #1
  2. Uh-oh, Hoyuns words are so.very.hard.to.write.
  3. Look at me. I am so beautiful and hot, young and rich.]
This was definitely revenge. *** Drama filming was one thing, and album preparation was another. If we wanted to make aeback in October, we had to record, practice, shoot, and take part in various activities before and after. Now I had to deal with Min Jiheon, manage the system window, and act on top of everything else. I was so worn out that I went to the practice room out of habit and Oh. I saw Joo Woosungs dumbfounded face. Why was he alone in one of Daepaseong Entertainments practice rooms? And why did the front desk let him in? Well. It was apparent even without looking. Just by looking at the back of his head, you could tell it was Joo Woosung. On top of that, there were rumors that we were close, and I could easily picture the smooth-talking Joo Woosung charming his way in. I tossed my sports bag into the practice room and asked, So, when did you join Daepaseong? Are you crazy? Why would I join a ce like this? Then why are you here being so sneaky? Woosung, who had gotten a taste of the capital from Koreas top entertainmentpany, alwaysined about Daepaseongs facilities whenever he came. So why was he awkwardly standing in this dark, gloomy practice room now? Woosung scratched his head awkwardly, realizing how ridiculous he looked. I have no activities no friends no girlfriend Just say youve run out of people to date, and youre bored. Thats true. Ive never been this bored in my life. Looking at how Woosung had been down these days I had a hunch that hisck of dating wasnt because of my threats but because he had dated everyone in the entertainment industry, and no one was left for him. Finally, everyone had escaped from this legendary jerk. I know what youre thinking, you little shit Oh, you do? Impressive. Woosung smirked at me and pulled out his phone, tapping away on it. I took a peek and saw [Wow, the ultimate god-like junior] saved as one of his most recent contacts. I dont remember texting you recently. Where did your conscience go? Its Seonghyeon. Woosung grumbled and finally told me why he came. You guys are preparing for an album, and Seonghyeon and Dajun are going on some variety show, right? I came to help. Ive already talked to Seonghyeon. Come to think of it, Im really an amazing sunbae, arent I? I sat down on the floor, leaving Woosung babbling nonsense behind. When have you ever cared for your juniors? From what Ive heard, Hi-Five, the junior group directly under Woosungs ckcall, was doing very well. The other ckcall members would at least take care of their juniors a little, but Woosung never did. But why was he taking care of The Dawn? I wondered if this was some kind of far-fetched n. No thats a bit too much. The Dawn was still far from being a threat. But I couldnt think of any other reason, so I asked. Are you going on that variety show too, Woosung? No, Im not going. Then why? Why the hell was he here then? As I kept asking and getting more confused, Woosung hesitated and sighed. just that What? Ive been reflectingtely and I wanted to check something Just as he was about to answer, the members all came bustling in. The cute rapper is here~ Oh! Sunbae! The cuter sub-dancer is here~ Ah, Joo Woosung-sunbae, hello! Youre here already?!! Yeah. The members now greeted Joo Woosung without being flustered, as if it was natural. Joo Woosung received their greetings with a nod. Kim Seonghyeon didnt even try to hide theplete joy written on his face. Hey, get up. Let me see the dance. Joo Woosung kicked me. I got up and practiced along with the beat, but I had difficulty keeping up with them, probably because they practiced like crazy while I was filming the drama. Joo Woosung sat on the sofa in the corner of the practice room, crossed his arms, and looked at the members with sharp eyes. Soon after, he managed to spit out some reluctantpliments with a face that was trying to suppress his annoyance. Not bad. He watched until the end. He then got up and corrected the members dance moves. Even with just a few words added on, it was fascinating to see how the members quickly adapted. But what about me? These days, my dance practice has been neglected because of acting. As Joo Woosung finished correcting the other members dance moves, he quickly turned his attention toward me. And sure enough, he nagged me like crazy afterward. What have you been doing all this time? Only acting? Please, just stop it! Enough! Hey, just give up, give up. Just admit defeat. With those words, I red at him as I caught my breath. You just came to tease me, right? Oh, you got me. I clenched my teeth and followed Joo Woosung grudgingly while cursing at him. I will definitely be more popr than Joo Woosung andugh at him! Ill show you what I was like during my PD days. However, for now, Joo Woosung justughed, looking at the pathetic me. What are you looking at? Do it again, kid. Yes. Oh, whats going on today? Wow, youre really fierce today. Moreover, Joo Woosungs nagging was overflowing today so that even the members trembled as they watched. My suspicion that he came to tease me because he was bored gradually turned into certainty. Only after several more attempts did Joo Woosung finally distanced himself with a reluctant face that said, Ugh, fine. As I staggered into the corner and copsed, Joo Woosung even advised Jeong Dajun and Kim Seonghyeon about their uing dance variety show appearance, proving that he was indeed helping his juniors. But what was that just now? As I barely moistened my parched mouth with water, Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun started dancing to a routine they had made for the variety show. ?? It was a b-boy dance routine choreographed to a strong hip-hop bass. The two seemed to have put much effort into it, as the choreography was shy, and the moves matched perfectly with the beat. Iy down, fixing my gaze on their dance moves, and Seong Jiwon sat beside me. Theyre really good, arent they? True I think theyll get even better if Joo Woosung-sunbae helps them. Could it be Joo Woosung, despite how he acted, had high standards. No matter how hard we prepared, he wouldnt even blink an eye and say, Youve worked hard, considering youre amateurs. So, I looked at Joo Woosung, anticipating his unpleasant words to the two But Joo Woosungs expression was strange. What? Were done here!! So, how is it, sunbae? Our groups two main dancers, panting with flushed faces, asked in unison. Only then did Joo Woosung snap back to reality and rub the back of his neck. Ah. Good choreography, um Really?! Yeah,e here. Lets fix this part. And Joo Woosung strode over, demonstrating the move himself. His poprity wasnt just for his good looks; he was truly amazing. I watched him as I took another drink. Somethings off. Lately, both Lim Hyeonsu and Joo Woosung seemed tock energy. After everything was done, I looked back and forth between the members thanking Joo Woosung and those practicing again. Joo Woosung walked towards me, looking somewhat in a foul mood. Ugh Checking on them just made me more pissed off. ? Damn, I need to go. To where? But he just ruffled his dark brown hair and started searching for something on his phone. I nced over and saw it was an airne ticket. What are you going? Its none of your concern. Did you get sshed with water again today? = In a bad mood? Fuck, I really did get my act together, you know? I was about to ignore him, thinking he wouldnt tell me anything, but Joo Woosung watched my face, nervously ying with his phone as if regretting his harsh words. I was entirely captivated by his pushover attitude. Just when I started to think that both Joo Woosung and Lim Hyeonsu could be Koreas most soft-hearted people, even towards those they bullied, I remembered something. Ah, thats right. Suddenly, Lim Hyeonsus words shed through my mind. Did you get a call from Composer Lim Hyeonsu? Eh? Cheongbeom-noona? Having roughly finished what he was doing, Joo Woosung put down his phone and looked at me with a face as if he had been hit by a sudden realization. He then tilted his head. Uh Yeah, I think something like that happened? For a get-together? Yup, how did you know? I closed the water bottle cap, took another sip, and wiped the corners of my mouth. Dont go to that. ??? Like Lim Hyeonsu, Joo Woosung looked at me with a face full of question marks. Why? Do you have something going on there? Nothing. Im just saying it for your sake, Joo Woosung. For my sake? What does that even mean? Although he quickly denied it with words, Joo Woosung mumbled like he had a good sense at times like this. Whos going to be at that get-together? Its only Shining Stars PD Kim Heeyeong and Cheongbeom-noona, right? You dont want me to go because its a get-together to badmouth you Ah! Joo Woosung suddenly seemed to understand something and opened his mouth. His face slowly turned angrier. Hey, fucker Do you think Im some fucking yer trying to hit on every girl with XX chromosomes?! But as expected, his thoughts went in the wrong direction. What the hell was he talking about now? Cheongbeom-noona and I have nothing going on, okay? And how many times do I have to tell you Ive made up my mind?! It wasnt about her, okay! Ugh, what should I do about this jerk, Joo Woosung? I said that because I didnt want to listen to the stories that were justing my way. I still had to deal with Joo Woosung since he was useful, so I inevitably had to continue meeting him If the three of them met happily, wouldnt I hear a lot of news about it? There would be no big problem if I didnt have to face PD Kim during Shining Star Season 2, but I said that because I hoped there would be no personal contact between us as much as possible. But Woosung, extremely sensitive today, must have misunderstood something and gone on a rant. Are you really living in the 21st century? Are we still living by the rule that men and women should not sit together? Seo Hoyun should have been born as a schr in the Joseon Dynasty. Ah, I didnt think like that. What do you mean? Its written all over your face. How could you even think of linking me with Cheongbeom-noona? Dont tell me Are you crazy?! Not that! Joo Woosung, youre the narrow-minded one. Youre making wild guesses from just one thing I said. I said not to go there because its a get-together where they badmouth me, not because I cant break my habit. Then I should go even more. Ill attend that get-together and seduce all the noonas. Hey! Have you gone crazy? Reserve your all-out for Pop Pop! Heyyyy? Crazy? Youre done talking back to your sunbae?! As I fought with Woosung in the corner, the members, who were practicing far away, stopped singing and stared nkly at us. Why is Hoyun like that? Seo Hoyun Has he gone crazy to his sunbae? Hyung, is something wrong today? Thats right, I must be crazy Feeling embarrassed for showing this side of myself in front of the innocent Jeong Dajun, I apologized first, ignoring the murmuring members. Ugh. Fine, I got it. I didnt do anything wrong, but Im sorry anyway, okay? Thats not what I meant. Youre even apologizing to that bitch? Thanks? Joo Woosung, who had been preaching about fixing his ways and bing a proper idol (whatever that entailed), scoffed with a solid misunderstanding and anger. I almost got flustered by his words, but I held back. How can I clear up this misunderstanding? Should I say Kim Heeyeon is my ex-girlfriend? No way. I could never say that. I quietly stared at Woosung, still whining about a guilty conscience with his splendid past. After its over, go eat out with the members or something. Buzz off. You like kimchi fried rice, dont you? Kimchi fried rice, my ass. Even though I mentioned what I learned from the trivia quiz, that guy was already sulking. Watching Woosung grumble about attending that get-together, I sighed. Yeah Congrattions, Joo Woosung. Now youre living a proper life
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 96 Chapter 96 Woosung eventually gave up on his beloved kimchi fried rice and left abruptly. Judging by his passport-rted grumbling, it seemed like he was heading overseas I didnt care to know and just hoped that he wouldnt be B.F.F with Lim Hyeonsu or (especially) Kim Heeyeon. Hello~. Ah! Seo Hoyun. On the other hand, the shooting went smoothly. Everything else was not going my way, so I headed to the shooting site in a bad mood. At least the staff weed me warmly. You came today, too! You dont have any shooting today, do you? Haha, theres one scene. I came a bit early to study as well That must be heavy, let me help you. When I took half of what the staff was carrying, they were obviously happy. Yeah, I know, Ive moved a lot of these Theyre really heavy. Is there anything I can help with? You bring happiness just by showing your face, Hoyun Ahaha. I often showed up at the filming set, so the staff seemed to be a bit more open to me, and I took the opportunity to throw in a bait. Min Jiheon-sunbae is filming today, right? At this point, I should be able to hear the staffs gossip about the stars and their bad behavior. Pretending to be innocent, I cleverly baited the question, but the staff just gave me a bright smile and a thumbs up. Yes! Today was also a huge sess! Min Dajung did what Min Dajung does. Min Dajung? Hes so nice that she got that nickname![1] Even after hes done filming, he would ask the staff how they were doing I decided to cut off the conversation as it wasnt going anywhere productive. Ding! [Unlucky, huh?] I admit that. I was about to leave after simply chewing on the message, but Min Jiheon was approaching me with an unusually bright expression. Hey! I had an ominous feeling and tried to quickly escape, but I failed. Darn it. Ding! [Have a nimble day!] Alright, got it. The system window was well aware of Min Jiheon but couldnt take a picture, yet it was so good at nagging me. The staff who had been moving the props had already gone off to their next tasks, so no one was around. Min Jiheon just grinned as we spoke openly. I even felt like there were sparkles around him, and, though I didnt know why, I could tell he was in a great mood. Why are you so happy today? Its annoying. Umwell, you see. He held a different kind of hotdog in one hand, a total of five, and a cup of coffee in the other. As I stared at him, Min Jiheon scanned me up and down and then blurted out nonsense. Are you a rabbit?? What the fuck? I asked back in disbelief, but Min Jiheon just took a big bite of his hotdog and continued his nonsense with a Dont you think you look like one? Somehow, I quickly pushed Min Jiheon aside and walked briskly towards the crowd where the manager greeted me in a fuss. Hoyun, surprise~!! ? Here! Take this! Manager, what on earth is this? Hurry up, stand over here! Feeling bewildered, I took the coffee. As I looked down, I saw a huge picture of my face on the cup holder, and below it was a sentence. Please take care of our rabbit? And at the very bottom, in a corner, I saw small letters that read From, the kids. I muttered, feeling a bit unsettled. I dont remember getting married and having kids. The members used the money they got from the settlement to send a coffee truck! Isnt it amazing? Instead of feeling any other emotions, my mind quickly calcted the cost of the coffee truck. Well, if they each chipped in, it wouldnt have been that much But why bother sending this? Leave this kind of thing to thepany. The kids kept insisting. They said theyd use their own money. Theyre still so nave This is the time to brazenly use thepanys money. Hey, I can see youre already feeling proud. Feeling embarrassed by my managers words, I touched the corner of my mouth. Well, it was touching. I took a picture in front of the coffee truck and sent it to the group chat. Me: Why are you all doing this? It hadnt been long since I sent the message when I got a reply. Kang Ichae: Seo Hoyun must be so embarrassed, right? Kang Ichae: He cant be honest today either, can he? Jeong Dajun: Oh Hyung At times like this, we have to revive your spirit with money Kang Ichae: Were notcking in attendance, but money~~ Jeong Dajun: This one too Kang Ichae: Jun, Ill wire you money with my yful side I ignored their bickering. Soon, a more productive message came from my same-aged friends. Seong Jiwon: We split the cost, so it didnt cost much! Seong Jiwon: Is the coffee okay? Does it taste good? Kim Seonghyeon: Lets just say thanks I sent a message saying it tasted good. I hesitated a bit, but I also added a thankful emoticon and closed my phone. Well, it was okay to ept this much. After all, its just one day for the food truck, and the coffee truck would only cost a few hundred thousand won. That was a mistaken belief. I was speechless as I looked at the coffee truck that came every other day. *** [OMG guys, Seo Hoyun got a food truck (Seo Hoyun is standing in front of the food truck, holding coffee) (Seo Hoyun frowning on purpose while looking at the cup holder) (Cup holder message: Please take care of our rabbit -From, the kids <>)] [Its so funny to see the post on Twitter >> Theyre not a kid anymore << Is the rabbit okay~?!!! Seo Hoyun seems to have given up already] At first, they were just pleased. It meant that the members were close to each other as they sent food trucks to one another during the drama shoot. Noeul fans smiled warmly and shared the post. [Its so nice to see our rabbit happy] [The fact that this is posted on their official Twitter page Seo Hoyun subtly wants to brag about his kids = Showing off the care they received = They must have received a lot of money = Theyre not a kid anymore = (Ichae must have written the message) Theyre close enough to bicker Ah, why is there no like button on Twitter, only hearts?] But the real trouble started after that. [Food truck sent by Joo Woosung Add one more kimchi fried rice for the annoying guy] [Hot dog truck sent by Cheongbeom I cant believe Im sending a food truck, eat well you food-chaser] [Seo Hoyuns Trash-Talking Club (Anonymous) All out shit] [Huh?] Twopletely mismatched people sent some too, leaving Noeul fans shocked. They still thanked them for taking care of their kids, but it felt a bit weird. [Joo Woosung and Seo Hoyun are real close friends I thought he had no interest in others and was only doing cliquey stuff/taking care of his juniors, but hes only like that with Hoyun How did they even get to know each other? A mystery of the century What, theyre neighborhood friends Still cant believe it] He was ckmailed. [I cant believe Im seeing Cheongbeom send a food truck in my life Where did the grumpy big sister go? Unnie Being grumpy is her charm Shes still very grumpy But how did they even get to know each other? Unnie was only ever at her studio] She was ckmailed. (2) Everyone didnt know what Seo Hoyuns Trash-Talking Club was or how it worked, but they all agreed that no one would send a food truck so publicly if they werent really close. Moreover, this wasnt even posted on Twitter and was more like a picture snapped as a sighting. They assumed that it came from a non-celebrity friend. [Wow, I thought Seo Hoyun would be a loner with no friends but he actually has friends But the people he hangs out with are always the same, so hes still a loner Even that is fine Plus, all the friends he hangs out with are loners I like it even more] Everyone tried tough it off and move on. But then, the members sent food trucks every other day. Seo Hoyun gave up on posting on Twitter every time a food truck came, and instead uploaded short vlogs on their official YouTube. [(Video of Seo Hoyun making a phone call) Seo Hoyun: Do you guys really want to do this? On the other side: (No reflection) Yep~! Seo Hoyun: Save your money Dont spend it on things like this.] Across the way: (Still not reflecting)(Innocence) Yep~! Seo Hoyun: The manager zooms in the camera whileughing like a boiling kettle Manager: Got fooled once Seo Hoyun: Enough. Its enough.] [Are these guys family? Yeah, they swore loyalty under a cherry tree. ] [Originally, Seo Hoyun used to have the upper hand over the other members But these days, the members have be a lot stronger and dont get pushed around. Ah, so Hoyun has kind of given up Probably learned from watching someone.] [Title: My sisters friend is a staff on the set and says Seo Hoyuns nickname is Emperor of the Food Truck. Hed really hate that nickname. He actually does hate it. Laughing so hard I nearly got a stitch] *** Hey, didnt I tell you to stop sending those? Ah, we really stopped sending them! Scolding Jeong Dajun, I walked towards the set. The staff members, having be ustomed to this scene, sent me warm nces as they sensed the situation upon hearing my voice. Whats with these looks? Then whats with that food truck over there? Seo Hoyun, we seriously didnt send it! Isnt it from Joo Woosung-sunbae? No, its not. I already asked him. Hey, why are you selling the sunbae behind us? Although Kim Seonghyeon was furious, he didnt correct it, and instead looked around. Finally, Seong Jiwon chimed in, admitting he had sent it andughed gently. But I still wished they would stop now. Tsk. As I finally reached the truck, I heard a strange sound. Ssssuuuunbaeeeenimmmm! It wasnt a stretched-out cassette tape, and, for a moment, I couldnt understand what was being said. I turned my head towards the familiar voice and saw someone approaching Min Jiheon, who was chatting with Yu Jia. I didnt know our shooting locations would ovep like this! When I heard about it, I was so touched by this incredible coincidence! As always, Lee Kangseok was living his life to the fullest today. I heard you like carrot cake, sunbae, so I made it myself. Yu Jia-sunbae too! Your first broadcast ising up soon, right? Oh, um, thank you. But you really didnt have to. No, its just a natural thing between fellow actors. Excluding me, his way of speaking to others was still friendly. Lee Kangseok even brought an elegant-looking spoon. Wow this guy is really something. Was it even appropriate for a supporting actor from a drama airing at the same time as ours to fawn over our lead actor like this? It wasnt just a snack truck. The fact that Lee Kangseok personally baked a cake for Min Jiheon sent shivers down my spine. I couldnt help but sigh at the impressive words written on it: To my respected sunbaes, always admiring, your hoobae, Lee Kangseok. Even when I was trying to butter up my director day and night with my passionate dreams for a program, I never did this much. Watching Lee Kangseok carefully offer the spoon, Min Jiheon gave a very awkward smile. Standing next to her, Yu Jia seemed unfazed, probably having seen many people like him during her long entertainment career. Umm. Min Jiheon, its spine-chilling, isnt it? Jiheon always got on my nerves so seeing him in a difficult situation was quite satisfying. However, being a naturally nosy person, I walked happily towards him as soon as I spotted the,. I dont know if itll be tasty, but Ah, Yu Jia-sunbae, what about you? Ah, well. The arrow spun towards Yu Jia. Her eyes expressed a slight disdain. As she awkwardly scratched her cheek, suddenly, Wow! I snatched the spoon held by Lee Kangseok from his hand and exaggeratedly took a bite. The sweet taste of the cake filled my mouth. It was really delicious. Spine-chillingly so. !! Lee Kangseoks eyes widened. Nevertheless, I praised him while chewing the cake. You did well~. Its delicious. But, but, but why did Seo Hoyun eat that? But theres a lot of carrots in it. Did you put too much? Even being able to criticize him! The respected sunbaes next to us gazed at us. Despite that, I scraped up the slightly heavy cream with a spoon and ate it all. This was made for the sunbaes Yes, you said it was for fellow actors. I put down the spoon. Im a hoobae, too The first broadcast is soon so Please look forward to it? By the way, I prefer in whipped cream cake. As I said it with a slight squint, Lee Kangseoks face turned pale, and he trembled. I stood there smiling, and Kangseok disappeared without saying anything. Min Jiheon looked back and forth between the direction Kangseok had disappeared and me, before finally opening his mouth. Is there a school that teaches how to give people a taste of their own medicine in Korea? Dr. Seos school! A guy who got a Ph.D. in hitting the right buttons. It wasnt something I wanted to hear from Jiheon, but I yed along. Jiheon couldnt help butugh. Yu Jia chuckled beside me, then leaned her forehead on her hand and trembled. Seo Hoyun is really Wow, this is talent Even Ms. Composer would like it, really. But she told me to get lost. Ahahaha!! Even though I said something obvious, Yu Jia burst intoughter, wiping tears from her eyes. At that moment, a staff member called her over to touch up her makeup for the next scene. Ah, its hrious. Anyway, thank you, Seo Hoyun. Youre wee. I nonchntly responded to her gratitude for getting rid of an annoying presence, and Yu Jia smirked before walking away. Meanwhile, Min Jiheon crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. Why did youe here? You hated seeing me so much, didnt you? I wanted to cheer up Lee Kangseok for once. Wow Youd even endure seeing me just to give Kangseok a taste of his own medicine? Whether I raised an eyebrow or not, Min Jiheon genuinely marveled. I sometimes admire you, hyung. You show me a side of you Ive never seen before. So do I, you crazy bastard. [1] Min Dajung = . The term in Korean can mean affectionate or sweet.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 97 Chapter 97 Seo Hoyun. Throughout the ovepping shooting schedules, Lee Kangseok took every spare moment to approach Min Jiheon with a mournful smile. Min Jiheon, who seemed like he could drink even a bowl of soapy water, appeared slightly ufortable. However, Kangseoks friendliness did not extend to me. As I walked by, trying to chat with the staff, I identally locked eyes with the gloomy Kangseok who had been waiting for me. Why are you treating me like this? What do you mean? Im trying to do well, you know. He looked visibly depressed. Was I supposed to praise him for trying to butter up Min Jiheon and Yu Jia? As I crossed my arms, Kangseok suddenly looked up. Everythings easy for Seo Hoyun, right? Excuse me? What nonsense was this? Being a popr idol, everything works out smoothly. Your agency is the same as Min Jiheon, and all your friends are sessful people. So? Whats the problem? Oh, Lee Kangseok-sunbae Do you consider all that when making friends? Kangseok muttered a curse under his breath. I could feel the burning emotion in his eyes. Inferiorityplex. And a victim mentality. How interesting. Ive seen a lot of people like this during my time as a PD. They med others for theirck of sess, saying it was because those on top were hogging everything. Well, it wasnt entirely wrong, but they also closed off their own chances of climbing up because of this unfortunate mindset. Such a shame. I wasnt that different from him, but I didnt really like his type. As I kept staring at him without a word, Kangseok suddenly dropped his gloomy expression and elerated. Youre doing well with acting, right? Huh? Im just worried because there have been controversies over idols acting skills. The first episode is airing soon, so hang in there. Ill be cheering for you. = Youll be fucked when the first episode airs He tried to sound cool and cultured, but he couldntpletely hide the sarcasm in his tone. What was the point of talking this way? Trying to start a fight in a public ce with people around was just proof of stupidity. Huh? Was this a self-introduction? I briefly contemted my actions and gave up on thinking, half-listening to Lee Kangseoks continued ranting. But isnt it easy for idols to have NGs? Im disappointed. Idols are just different from actors in tone. Thats why people should professionally learn how to act. It seemed like the conversation would drag on, but I needed to talk to the staff and get my makeup done soon. I scrutinized him from head to toe. An actor and one absorbed in the art. I diagnosed him briefly. People with acting sickness were tough and stubborn. There were many cases, especially among those who imed to love the arts. They believed they couldnt seed because they solely focused on the craft of acting while others made efforts through strange methods. But when idols join, the quality drops, right? Yes. Thank you for your support, sunbae. So, when will I get the cream cake to celebrate my first episode? Shit. Unable to withstand the provocation, Kangseok immediately cursed. Honestly, it was fun to watch. Well, at least Kangseok made some efforts, considering his character. He even made carrot cakes for his sunbaes. But if it were me, I would have given the cake to the PD or writer instead of Min Jiheon. Lee Kangseok-sunbae. Why do you like Min Jiheon-sunbae so much? What? Kangseok blinked for a brief moment. He looked very flustered but still answered. Well, um, hes popr now handsome kind innocent. And hes overflowing with consideration. ? Kind and innocent Were we talking about the same Min Jiheon right now? As I looked at him with a tired face, he became increasingly embarrassed. This guy, the way hes acting, is so wrong And then He mumbled in a gradually sinking voice. and because hes good at acting. Wow Min Jiheon was thought to be the only exception who had risen without any backing, solely through his acting skills. Is he the role model for those suffering from the actors disease? Min Jiheon was indeed a respectable actor. I scratched my cheek, feeling somewhat defeated. I pulled over a chair that was lying around and sat down. Next to me, Lee Kangseok regained hisposure and mumbled, But its a world where being a good actor isnt enough. I just nodded vaguely. Are you listening to me?? Of course. Im a supporting actor in a drama airing at the same time as Please Take the Camera. Theres a difference between me and a supporting character like PD Lee Jeonghun. Remember, Im a secondary lead. Of course, of course~. Lets see if you can be as confident after the resultse out. Ugh Yes. I walk confidently wherever I go~. After going along with his nonsense, I looked at his retreating figure,ughing and shaking my head. Well, from his point of view, it was understandable that he didnt like me. If an actor struck with the actors disease was trying to tter and stick to Min Jiheon, but then an idol suddenly went for acting it would be infuriating. However, it wasnt my concern. Im Lee Jeonghun, you bastard. Once he has seen the first episode, he wont be able to say such things anymore. After all, the supporting actor in the drama Im in was inspired by me This situation was so ridiculous. I turned, only to discover Yu Jia and Min Jiheon staring at me with great interest. Ahaha. It seemed they witnessed the entire situation. What are you doing here? Opening some popcorn. Honestly, this is even more entertaining than the drama now. My face must have contorted in anger momentarily because Min Jiheon subtly averted my gaze, and Yu Jia extended her index finger and said, Its fascinating how Seo Hoyun only attracts those kinds of people. Its bing a bit pitiful. Me? People like Lee Kangseok. *** Drama filming did not always have to proceed in the order of the script. Most of the time, the schedule was adjusted ording to location arrangements and the actors schedules. Even though the filming had been going smoothly, and most of the scenes from the script up to episode 4 werepleted Wow! Is that Seo Hoyun? Hello? The problem was that the drama was set in a broadcasting station. I unintentionally kept running into people I knew because we were filming in various parts of the station. While taking a break from filming, I was cooling myself with a mini fan to keep my makeup from melting. I was also drinking a beverage from a vending machine when I unexpectedly ran into White Cherry. After exchanging greetings with them, I thought they would move on, but surprisingly, they stayed. Are you filming a drama? Ah, yes. Oh~! Youre in a drama with Jia-unnie, right? That must be nice~. Isnt Jia-unnies personality so good? Yu Jiaughed at me yesterday for fighting But with Min Jiheon by her side, Yu Jia was like an angel. Yes, Im always indebted to her. Ahaha! And then sheughed again. I was flustered by such a friendly disposition from someone I hadnt really spoken to before. There wasnt even any connection between us. If I had to choose, maybe it would be Joo Woosung, who has been sulking and barely replying to my messagestely. However, since I was close to Joo Woosung (even though Im not) since they broke up on bad terms, I thought I would be on their guard list. What? I didnt know how to react since I usually didnt form rtionships for no reason. I just rolled my eyes, and the leader of White Cherry stepped in, smoothing things over. She let out a sigh and poked Han Chaeri. Hey, dont surprise him like that. Oh my, Im sorry. No, its fine. But do you have any business with me? If someone saw a sunbae apologizing to a hoobae in the broadcasting station and then they decided to spread weird rumors, it would be a disaster. Liz quickly conveyed her intention. We wanted to say hi to you since the Victory Is Mine incident. But none of our members had Seo Hoyuns number You dont seem to have many acquaintances, do you? So, were they saying I had no friends? Thanks to Seo Hoyun well, not exactly, but a few events were canceled after that. Ah. I didnt do anything deserving of thanks. Liz seemed to read my mind and smiled back as I tried to slip away with a faint smile. Noticing my awkwardness, she began talking about her own difficulties. Its a bit embarrassing, but I injured my ligament a few years ago. Its still hard for me to perform intense choreographies. There were many idols like that. It wasnt just that program; many idols had hurt themselves by overexerting on variety shows. As a result, they could no longer perform intense dances. Well, Ipleted my rehabilitation, so Im fine, but Ive always hoped my hoobaes wouldnt go through the same thing And now its be a reality, so I wanted to thank you. Do you know that video of you carrying one of your members is still a hot topic on YouTube? So cool. Han Chaeri, be careful with your words. Liz yfully hit Chaeris side, and Chaeriughed and clung to her. Unnie~, you know, most rookies wouldnt even think of doing that. Now Im a little more rxed, but I was too scared back then to do anything like that! Chaeri-unnie, you were just the same back then, right? Was I~? Han Chaeriughed heartily. It was just like her to pour water on Joo Woosung during thepetition. I then remembered the post she posted on SNS during Jeong Dajuns incident and lowered my gaze for a moment.[1] My hesitation was brief. Thank you for that time. Liz smiled brightly without saying a word. Han Chaeri, who had been watching me with a pleased expression, suddenly changed the subject. By the way, is that Woosung bastard doing well? It was an even more awkward topic. As one of Woosungs acquaintances, I wasnt sure how to respond in front of Han Chaeri, one of his many ex-girlfriends. I just rolled my eyes again, and she snickered. Ah, Im sort of acquainted with Woosung. You two are close, right? Were not close And Woosung has been really sulkytely. Um, I dont know. I dont really keep in touch with him Really? Han Chaeri shrugged her shoulders. He used to be quite unstable, but he seems to be doing better these days. Joo Woosung was unstable? I blinked my eyes at this unexpected remark, and Han Chaeri awkwardly scratched her cheek. Ah, I guess you dont know Well, I dont know why, but hes been more clear-headedtely. Its possible that Seo Hoyun might not know that. Huh? No, um He had a kind of meltdown No, I better not say anything. Chaeri stopped talking as she continued to have an awkward expression. Um, Im not the person involved, so I shouldnt be saying anything. It is not like he had an ident or anything special. Its just that hes received a lot of envy and jealousy because hes so gifted. As I processed this new information, Han Chaeri chuckled lightly. Anyway, please get along with him. Hes a bit of a bastard but a good guy in his own way. Speaking so casually, the ex-girlfriend closed her mouth tightly when her leader scolded her to watch her words. Chaeri, what are you doing holding up someone who is busy? Ah, um, Im sorry. I was just d to see you. No, its fine As I turned around, I could hear the whispers of the White Cherry members. But, unnie, are you really dating Joo? HimI dont you know? Ah Chaeri and her fellow White Cherry members disappeared without a trace. The lingering thoughts kept circling in my mind. I fiddled with the empty can that I had already finished drinking. I thought about how I had unintentionally started a quarrel with Joo Woosung before, so I sent him a message. Me: Where are you? Surprisingly, the reply came quickly. Joo Woosung: At work? Was this brat still upset? Soon after, a submissive reply came. Joo Woosung: Cali Me: Oh? Me: Why? Joo Woosung: Just because Joo Woosung: Hey, but this ce is surprisingly nice to live in?? Joo Woosung: It feels open What was he talking about? [1] See Episode 71
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 98 Chapter 98 I had just met Han Chaeli and considered telling him that his ex-girlfriend was worried about him but Joo Woosung, who calls himself the Female Terminator, looked so healthy that I didnt bother. As soon as I turned off my phone, the system window started talking to me. [Why did you do that?] No reason. The system window suddenly reappeared just as I was about to move on from those thoughts. [So, how do you feel about it?] Huh? [The treatment youre getting now clearly differs from when you were a PD.] I looked at the fluctuating characters in the blue system window and chuckled. Its really pushing it. Lately, I felt like I was ying push-and-pull with the system window. Its clear that something has been revealed, with Min Jiheon being the trigger. But it was still unclear what the system window was looking at, what was exposed, or what it was sensitive to. Now, it wanted to negatively evaluate my PD days and emphasize the undeserved kindness I was receiving now. Then, should I throw in bait? Carefully choosing my words, I made a cautious response. In the past, I would have just been cursed at on the inte, and that would be it. I swallowed phrases like Im always grateful and I want to stay here and keep experiencing new things because they would be too obvious. Its kind of refreshing, isnt it? [Excuse me.] Suddenly, the system window popped up with a ding. [Dont even think about throwing in a bait.] Aw,e on With a smile, I looked at the flickering blue window. The system window put up the letters in an annoying manner. [I can clearly see what youre thinking, so no matter what you say or what bait you throw, I wont answer from now on.] But you just baited me, too. Thats pretty two-faced. [I am!] Youre what? I scoffed. And a momentter, the system windows words and mine ovepped. [I am differ] Do you want to say youre different? Like some cheesy pick-up line? [Aaah] [This is so annoying] [Go away, thank you] And then, the system window went off. Indeed, its a very touchy one. Looking at it, I was sure. The system window wasnt lying just now. I threw the empty can in the trash and walked toward the drama set as I sorted things out. The chances are high that its genuinely looking out for me. The quests so far proceeded in a direction that was ultimately good for me. Of course, they were cruel and with big penalties. They were also sensitive to other peoples evaluations. Sometimes I ignored it because I didnt like its coercive nature, but anyway. What remained then As soon as I entered the set, Min Jiheon, who was checking the script, suddenly raised his head and called out to me. Ah, Seo Hoyun. Yes. Min Jiheon-sunbae. Then identifying false information is important. There was no need to go far. I just needed to confront the person standing before me since he knew my current situation best. Its our first shooting. Ive been looking forward to it. Please take care of me. Im not really. Haha, youre prickly today, too? Min Jiheon closed the script andughed. I maintained a safe distance and looked at Min Jiheons wrist. Hmm, good. Hes not wearing the bracelet. Min Jiheon followed my gaze and smirked. Hyung, are you scared? I really want to hit you just once! However, inner thoughts are one thing, and actions are another. I could keep a poker face against Min Jiheons provocations to some extent, as we shed quite a bit on set. I wanted to ignore him and move on since we had to shoot a scene soon, but I stopped for a moment. There was nobody around. Hey. Not doing anything and waiting quietly for a reaction wasnt my style. I turned around and approached Min Jiheon, who was looking at the script again. What are you scheming? In this case, confrontation was the answer. Huh? Are you trying to help me or hinder me? Why are you going around in circles instead of just telling me easily? Why are you so interested in me in the first ce? Ah~. Ahaha. Is this the start of our honest conversation? Alright, lets do it. Min Jiheonughed awkwardly and looked towards the set where the staff were busily moving around. He held his chin with one hand and suddenly said something unexpected. Do you think people can change, hyung? What? I dont think so. What am I doing? Min Jiheon quickly flipped through the script and closed it with a thud. I believe people are fundamentally selfish. I also believe that people cant really change. Its my fault for asking you. Im leaving. Talking with him always felt like wandering in the fog. I was about to leave my seat, but Min Jiheon turned his head. His eyes were not focused on me. It was another nce directed beyond me. Beyond? As I thought about it, I got goosebumps on my arm. But looking at you, hyung someone bet everything on the idea that people can change. So, at first, I was just curious if it was worth that much. Of course, now, not only me but many people like you. Im still curious, though. Min Jiheon lowered and raised his eyelids. The gaze we exchanged was too calmpared to the words he said. Are you worth that much, Hyung? I stared into his eyes for a moment and then raised my head. Feeling Min Jiheons gaze stubbornly following my action, I slowly said, What can I do? Ah Good. Its refreshing to speak out about what Ive been thinking. I smiled kindly at Min Jiheon, who lost his words and stared nkly at me. Lets go shoot, Min Jiheon sunbae. It was a signal to shut up and focus on our main job. Min Jiheon sighed, put his hand on his forehead as if it was unbelievable, lowered his head, and soon snickered. Hyung asked, and then when I answered, you do this. Really, you treat me so unfairly. And even elementary school kids these days dont use that phrase. Only we do, only we As I mumbled, What can I do? I moved on. *** Wow, its your first shoot with Min Jiheon. In the drama, Min Jiheons role, Min Seungtae, is a wealthy third-generation chaebol who deeply loves Yu Jeonghwa. However, he hated his father for framing Yu Jeonghwas father and causing his wrongful death. He tried to reveal the truth behind all the incidents but struggled with the fear of being rejected by Yu Jeonghwa. On the other hand, Yu Jias role, Yu Jeonghwa, aspired to be a PD who would only create fair broadcasts, like her righteous father, so she joined the broadcastingpany unaware of these facts. Unexpectedly, she ended up in the variety show department. In this scene, youll lightly tease each other, but please act carefully. Yes. The scene where Min Jiheon and I matched our breath for the first time wasnt the first meeting between the main character and PD Lee Jeonghun. It was a scene in episode 3 where PD Lee Jeonghun became aware of the past linking together the main characters. As a result, he started to watch Min Seungtae. The director exined while pointing at the script, This scene really shows Lee Jeonghuns character setting. He notices the clues to the case and subtly mocks Min Seungtae, but hes not a righteous character who would reveal it himself. This was so like me. Even Min Jiheon admitted it. Yes, well, thats the kind of person he is. I admit that I was worn out too. Hes a character who faced societal challenges head-on. Sometimes, hes so shameless that I want to grab and shake him by the cor! But this was a little upsetting, right? I went through the script again and entered the area where the camera was set. Min Jiheon, already in position and receiving ast-minute check from the makeup artist, held a worn-out script in his hand. A script no less battered than mine. Acting with Min Jiheon, huh. I felt a little nervous. Its obvious Ill be overshadowed. Not just Yu Jia, Min Jiheon was especially the type of actor who absorbed the energy of his co-stars when acting together. He had the power to overpower his counterpart and shift the atmosphere in his favor. Lets do our best. After taking a deep breath and greeting him, Min Jiheon turned his gaze toward me. Its exciting filming together. Min Jiheon, Im also very excited. Ahahaha. I couldnt openly ridicule him in front of the camera, so I yed along. Min Jiheonughed while checking his script for thest time. We coordinated our movements and waited for the te to p Min Jiheon suddenly leaned his head in. Mr. Seo Hoyun. At least he used a proper title in front of the camera. It might have been just me, but considering everyone called him Min Dajung, it seemed like he was somewhat trolling (I decided to call this Min-gro). I looked at him calmly, and Min Jiheon slightly raised the corner of his mouth. Shall we do something fun? What? Im curious about what Seo Hoyun was originally like, what kind of person he is. ReadyAction! Before I could even ask what he meant, someone shouted, and the pping of the te came. What is it now? No, lets just focus first. I stood outside the camera angle and looked at Min Jiheon. Min Seungtae, who finished his call with his father on the rooftop, made an annoyed sound. Before that, I had first gone up to the rooftop and was fiddling with a pack of cigarettes in the corner. I nced at Min Seungtae. The camera zoomed in on us. Min Seungtae noticed me btedly, so he was startled. But then he changed into a smiling face to greet me. Hello. Yes I deliberately prolonged the end of my reply, resting my chin on my hand. Min Seungtae sized me up with his gaze, furrowed his brow slightly, but quickly returned to his usual, habitual smile. You were here. I think you were herest time, too. You muste here often. Yes, well. As I nonchntly replied, Min Seungtaes gaze continued to follow me persistently. It was a searching look, wondering whether I had heard his conversation. I stared at him and asked, Youre the son of Seonghu Trading? Wow, what a massivepany. Which son are you? The second? Min Seungtaes smile instantly vanished at my words. His mask crumbled. Trying to sound indifferent, I added sarcastically as I tapped the rooftop railing with my cigarette pack. It seems your childhood friend still doesnt know. Let me know in advance if theres any favoritism to be had. Whats good about being a sunbae and hoobae, huh? I smirked and put the cigarette pack into my jacket pocket, attempting to walk past Min Seungtae. My part in this scene was over, and all that remained was a close-up of a flustered Min Seungtae. However, as I was about to pass him, Min Seungtaes eyes shed menacingly. Whats going on? Min Seungtae blocked my path with his arm. His gaze wavered, anxious about his beloved childhood friend discovering his secret but at the same time, it was tinged with a ruthless smile, intending to eliminate any uncertain factors. Are you going to tell her? What? Jeonghun PD. Min Seungtae not only did he block me with his arm but he also took a step forward and snickered. A shadow fell over my face. His eyes were frightening. Im asking if youre going to tell my noona. This crazy bastard Shall we do something fun? He went off-script.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 99 Chapter 99 Is Min Jiheon really interested in me? Or did he just dislike me? Ad-libbing with a rookie? Well, yeah. Lets say he was teaching acting through ad-libs. But shouldnt he at least give some hint? Besides, this was my first project, and I didnt even have many scenes. Is this what they meant by having fun? But whats even crazier was that the director didnt stop him. Rather, it seemed like he had no intention of stopping, judging by his tightly clenched hands gripping the script, as if this situation was thrilling. Ah, I havent heard that Min Jiheon does a lot of ad-libs, this damn kid Although my anger was rising, I didnt want to run away with the excuse that I was a rookie, had few scenes,cked experience, or because I was an idol. I exchanged nces with Min Jiheon No, Min Seungtae. He hadpletely taken off the mask he wore to act nice in front of everyone else. He shot a terrifying re, like a cold-blooded character who didnt care about anything except Yu Jeonghwa. I thought you were a smarter person. You know that Im the son of the head of Seonghu Trading. Is there a reason for you to get involved in someone elses business and be bothered by it? You dont seem to have that kind of sense of justice. He cornered me and yet provided a hint. Just be me. The hint just makes me even angrier But Id take what I can get. I scanned him without panicking. Well, I guess I dont have that much to say. Since the protagonist was supposed to be the same age as I, I just needed to reply with something that sounded like me. As I countered his lines, the staff members, who thought I would mess up, showed surprised expressions. But just watching you do that to someone else, its a bit ridiculous. What is? Min Seungtae tilted his head and put one hand in his pocket. He tried to assert dominance, looking down at me like he did to everyone else in the show except for the protagonist. Whats so ridiculous? Hmm, since you dont know, instead of asking me, wouldnt it be better to reflect on your own? As I smirked and countered his lines, a slight hint of guilt shed across Min Seungtaes eyes. Discovering that your close friend of over ten years is actually the son of your enemy. But pretending not to know? Its not even a movie. In reality, they would just cut ties. Maybe you should think about it if you havent thrown your conscience in the trash. Not sure if I touched a nerve, Min Seungtae slowly wiped his mouth and frowned. He didnt seem to be in a good mood. Right, thats true, sunbae. Im d you still have at least a gram of conscience left. As I said that, Min Seungtae raised his eyes. But its not your business, sunbae. Youre a total stranger. This was how it started. Sparks were flying in this verbal fight. Min Seungtae struck a blow. Id appreciate it if you didnt butt in. Butt in. I stared at him for a moment. What would I have done if I were still the PD? Would I have stayed quiet after hearing such nonsense from a stranger? Would I have kept quiet just because he was a chaebol? I slowly fiddled with the lighter, ced it on the railing, and took a deep breath to calm myself down. Then I looked at Min Seungtae and smiled sarcastically. Whoa, Seungtae~. !! Staying quiet? No way. I was famous for being straightforward. Let me exin since you dont seem to understand Lets slowly think about whos at a bigger disadvantage here, okay? One of the staff members mouth dropped open, shocked by my lines. After all, there was no such setting as speaking informally in the character. But my mouth was already babbling. Is it me, who was working overtime and drinking coffee at the broadcasting station? Or is you, whos losing sleep at night, worried about being caught by Yu Jeonghwa? What? Min Seungtae was at a loss for words. In the drama, Yu Jeonghwa was an absolute presence to him. No matter how tough Min Seungtae was, he had no choice but to lose once the name Yu Jeonghwa was mentioned. I already have a ton of work, so shouldnt I take care of my teams ves? Why do you have to piss people off with your attitude I understand. Im leaving now. That should be enough. The ad-lib was getting too long, so I thought editing and cutting it at that point would be okay. Just as I was about to leave Wait! He urgently grabbed me. His shaking gaze seemed to admit that his character, Min Seungtae, had already lost. I thought you were just someone who only cared about themselves But I guess that was just my prejudice. What do you want? Really? Youll do it? Yes, if theres something you want. I pulled my arm away from his hand and answered concisely while brushing off my sleeve. A steady sry, a generous bonus, good work-life bnce, a boss who doesnt steal my credit. What kind of nonsense is that? Is it like some legendary creature or something? I sighed. Taking care of my responsibilities and those of my subordinates. Thats what I want. Ha Hm? While speaking his lines, Min Seungtae furrowed his brows, and it felt strangely ufortable. Though it was slightly different from before this wasnt Min Seungtae, just Min Jiheon. Despite his momentarily wavering eyes, Min Jiheon delivered his lines naturally enough to avoid an NG. So, youll keep it safe? Will it work if I just change PD Lee Jeonghuns boss? Annoying chaebols. If youre going to change something, change the director. That wont be easy. Cant you even do that? He looked a bit amused, as if Being swayed by my acting? Is there anything else you want? Something more manageable as the price for your silence Something you can do? Anyway, I had to deliver the final line. I lightly tapped his shoulder as if dusting off some dirt. Min Jiheon stepped back a few steps, looking ufortable, and I spoke clearly, Cut. It. Out. Im leaving. As I walked out of the camera angle, the PD shouted excitedly. Cut! Damn that Min Jiheon My energy was drained. Even if Lee Jeonghun looked just like me, dealing with unexpected situations while keeping my nerves taut in front of the camera was exhausting. PD Yu was so excited that he blurted out. Cr Cr Crazy! You two are crazy!! Alright, I admit that Min Jiheon was utterly insane. But I wished hed left me out of it. Its amazing! Wow, how do you both ad-lib so well? The banter was fantastic! The rtionship between Min Seungtae and Lee Jeonghun was clearly shown! We dont even need to reshoot. Wow, so we did it in one take? Thats right, Jiheon! Your character really came through this time. Ill have to show this to Writer Kim again. Not just Min Jiheon but Seo Hoyun was amazing too! Really~ I almost missed out on such a treasure! Thank you for your kind words. While maintaining an awkward smile and dealing with the reactions around me, it still felt like something was off. Despite being surrounded by praise and feeling like I should be happy What is it? It wouldnt have mattered if it was just ad-libbing, but it felt like I had missed something The excited PD went away to monitor the scene again, and the hairdresser fixed Min Jiheons hair. Our eyes met. Min Jiheon Heh He couldnt help but burst intoughter as our eyes met. Seo Hoyun, you ad-libbed really well just now. Pffhahaha! ! Is there a reason for you to get involved in someone elses business and be bothered by it? You dont seem to have that kind of sense of justice. I thought you were just someone who only cared about themselves But I guess that was just my prejudice. What do you want? Suddenly, the lines Min Jiheon had said earlier shed through my mind. Ah! Darn it! That That wasnt a line. That brat knew Id usually stay quiet if he asked me those questions privately, so he purposely threw ad-libs at me on set! How was as a person, what kind of thought process I have, and how I would react in such a situation! He just threw those ad-libs out of curiosity right in front of the camera! I opened my mouth wide in anger. Wow that fuc! Ahaha, haha, ah, seriously. I quickly closed my mouth, barely stopping myself from cursing out loud. Min Jiheon, quick-witted as he was, noticed this too and gave up on holding back hisughter, clutching his stomach and roaring withughter. Feeling defeated, I had no choice but to stand there and wait for him to calm down Ahaha Seo Hoyun, your personality is really funny How have you lived like this? Do you even talk like this to chaebols? Min Jiheonughed so hard he wiped away a tear. Ah, its so fun these days. Its exciting Lets all have fun on set today~! Lets do our best! Oh my, yes! Min Jiheon moved on to the next shoot, and the staff members enjoyed their day, saying, Min Dajung was so sweet today. Min Dajeong can go freeze to death. In the entertainment industry full of crazy people, that brat was undoubtedly a lunatic. He said he wouldnt y around while acting! No, it was my fault for believing him! I fell for that snakes trick once again. I red at the direction where Min Jiheon disappeared, fuming *** Whether Min Jiheon enjoyed teasing Seo Hoyun or not, the idol Seo Hoyun really lived a diligent life. Thanks to Lee Jihyeon working like a madman and was now practically one with the energy supplement, The Dawns exclusive content poured out in droves. [Seong Jiwon OST Making Film] [Kang Ichae, Come to My Room Right Now. Producing Behind CAM] [The Dawns Human Theater Documentary (Feat. the Most Sane Seonghyeon)] [Seonghyeon and Dajuns Haphazard Macaron Making Feat. Disgusted Jiwon] [Heart-pounding The Dawn High School Student Council Election] And so, Noeuls fans had fan content, BTS photos, and V-Lives to look forward to whenever they opened their eyes. Among them, the fan content was particrly eye-catching. [Ah When Seo Hoyun made his student council president promise, he said he would give half the ss hamburgers (The End) Kang Ichae: (Raising hand) Dont you just have to give out four? Seo Hoyun: Yes Ah, Im going crazy. I knew it since I saw this guys pocket, all rxed] [Meanwhile, Seong Jiwons promise Seong Jiwon: Um Ill reduce practice time by two hours. Everyone: (Jumping up) Seong Jiwon! President Seong Jiwon! Please give us a word on how you feel about being elected! Seong Jiwon unanimously selected Are they gagmen? Wow, Seong Jiwon really is a tiger when ites to practice] And so, the student council election content received quite a good response, and Jihyeon, wanting to reuse the fan songs theyd made, came up with a new fan content n. It was a mix of the 1980s American high school concept, Will You Go to Prom With Me? However, the setting was Korea. There was no way The Dawn knew about American high school life with red stic cups, active club activities, and heart-pounding proms. Alright! Listen up! Jeong Dajun, wearing sses, banged on the ckboard. Heres what the test will be about! Okay? Everyone, write it down! It was K-High School.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 100 Chapter 100 Alright! Stop fooling around! Dont doze off! [Ah, Jeong Dajun, the high schooler ] [An exemry case of the college entrance exam obsession] The Noeul members found it adorable how Jeong Dajun, as if possessed, repeatedly used phrases like umm and in other words in his online lecture teacher concept. Meanwhile, the older members grumbled in amazement with their hands stuffed in their pockets. Why the online lecture concept? Leave him be. Theres no way Jeong Dajun knows about 1980s America. At most, hes watched movies about it. Plus, hes preparing for the college entrance exam these days. Isnt he just obsessed with imitating the online lecture teacher? Despite everyones grumbling, the youngest member, Jeong Dajun, stubbornly raised his sses with his fingers and drew circles frantically on the words written on the ckboard. He had seen it somewhere. So today, lets organize the breadcrumbs of our The Dawn members! Because there must be people who want this!! Maybe? I believe they exist somewhere? Who the hell is this for. Seo Hoyun was already exhausted from dealing with Min Jiheon. He looked even more worn out than usual, but Kang Ichae pretended to be absorbed in Jeong Dajuns concept and wrote everything down with his head buried in his notebook. So what kind of people are The Dawn members?? Jeong Dajun excitedly organized the members information on the ckboard as if wielding a whip. [Kim Seonghyeon (23) Leader/Main Dancer: Cool dark-haired handsome guy with double eyelids, sharp nose bridge, thick eyebrows, and dimples. Seo Hoyun (23) Sub-vocal: Pure-hearted, cold-looking, dark-haired handsome guy who seems sensitive and looks quite gentle when he smiles (but scary). Seong Jiwon (23) Main Vocal: Soft, warm-looking, brown-haired handsome guy with a mole on the nose bridge. Kang Ichae (21) Rapper: Sharp-eyed, thin-lipped handsome guy with a hair color of watered-down red (currently grapefruit color), who makes you want to pass by quickly when hes angry. Jeong Dajun (19) Sub-vocal/Dancer: No words needed, stunningly handsome.] What is this? [Why would you write this, Dajun? I mean, you could just look and know] [My cringing hands and feet are closing my eyes] [But he looks like he just copied and pasted from the wiki (except his own) Ill just write it down myself: bleached brown-haired puppy with thick lips and droopy eyes!!!] Everyone opened their mouths in a daze, looking at the phrases written on the ckboard. Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun exchanged nces and giggles, saying, Look at the eyes and Yes! Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun crossed his arms and leaned back on his chair, making a creaking noise. You write Chinese characters well? Of course, I should be able to do this much! Wow Youre really studying hard these days. Even against his older members teasing, Jeong Dajun remained determined. Kim Seonghyeon then attacked Jeong Dajun. Whats with the stunningly handsome part? Im just being confident, you know? Jeong Dajun tried to continue organizing their birthdays, but Seo Hoyun scolded him not to waste time on something searchable on the inte. [Guys, just look at the wiki Let him be, Jeong Dajun is excited] Hmph. Jeong Dajun pouted with a snort, but he still seemed satisfied as he took a piece of paper from the lectern. Lets first read the survey you filled out. Starting with Mr. Seo Hoyun. Yes. I think Im a kind person. You shamelessly chose YES . Where did you leave your conscience? Why? Its true, you know? Everyone jeered at him. Even the kind Seong Jiwon looked at Seo Hoyun with a subtle smile. Nevertheless, Seo Hoyun didnt change his shameless answer. Jeong Dajun continued to read the rest of the survey. You chose Seong Jiwon as the person you think is the most handsome in The Dawn. Ah? Really? Seong Jiwon shyly smiled. [Wow] [Wow, Seo Hoyun has pretty good taste, though] Eh?! Why didnt you choose the cute main rapper? What? Kang Ichae stood up with a face that said it didnt make sense, but Seo Hoyun just raised his eyebrows as if it was no big deal and pointed to the back. Go look in the mirror with Seong Jiwon. [A CG of a skull appears next to Kang Ichae ] [Ah, fuck, this guy still doesnt hold back ] Wow, this hyung is really unbelievable. Be quiet. Kang Ichae chose himself, didnt he? Kang Ichae acted out wildly, but Jeong Dajun, who truly believed he was the most handsome, shamelessly muttered, Isnt he just the nicest person? before reading the rest of the survey. Noeul members were very grateful to Dajun and devoured his breadcrumbs. [Kim Seonghyeons legs are the body part hes most proud of, fucking annoying, but it seems true, ah!!!] [Jiwon hesitates hesitates and then confesses he hates Soruinun Seoho stands awkwardly beside him, saying I dont drink much now either] [Kang Ichae exposed Jeong Dajuns secret that he always fell asleep listening to online lectures at triple speed under the covers] It was an absolute mess. Seeing the exhausted Kim Seonghyeon trying to stop the fighting among the members, who were not even like high schoolers but like K-teenagers, Lee Jihyeon sighed and gave orders. Seeing that, Jeong Dajun quickly fixed his disheveled bleached hair and calmly said, Ugh We now know each other well, right? I just want to fight. Jeong Dajun ignored them. To understand each other more deeply lets switch roles!! And he threw a bomb. [????] As Noeul members were full of question marks, not understanding the meaning, a small data screen appeared in the video. [Role Switching Seo Hoyun Seong Jiwon Seong Jiwon Kang Ichae Kang Ichae Seo Hoyun Jeong Dajun Kim Seonghyeon Kim Seonghyeon Jeong Dajun You must act ording to each others characters! Caution! You have to hold inughter, Noeul members try it too] [???????] [What is this, is it for real?] [Are they saying each person acts as the other? Seems so?] After a brief pause, the video darkened, and a low-resolution American campus appeared, stubbornly sticking to the 1980s concept despite having been messed up long ago. Will You Go to Prom With Me? yed as the BGM. The screen transitioned just like the fan song music video. Ta-ta-ta. A motorcycle appeared on the screen. It seemed like the usual Kang Ichae, but the camera slowly moved up after scanning his long legs. [Huh, whats this? Is it Kang Ichae?] [Oh, its the same progression as the fan song] And the man wearing a rider jacket took off his helmet. Sigh. It was Seong Jiwon. Even though he acted like a bad boy, the neat Seong Jiwon swept his hair back and spoke very clearly. Cute main rapper enters. Will you go to Prom with me? (Say Yes!) [] [I gave up on theughter challenge right away] [Ah, so it was like this, ah, Im going crazy, dont insert the Will You Go to Prom With Me? BGM at this highlight] [Im watching from outside and biting hard, Jiwon] As the Noeul fans were flipping out online, Seong Jiwon walked with the helmet at his side. In the hallway, Seo Hoyun, wearing a tidy school uniform, was taking a book from a locker. Seong Jiwon, awkwardly creaking closer, mmed the cab with one hand. Bam! Hi, Jiwon-hyung. Ah, hello, Ichae. Despite Seong Jiwons lousy acting, Seo Hoyun adjusted well, staying true to his acting-dol reputation trained by Min Jiheon. Watching Hoyun sweep his hair back with a soft smile, Seong Jiwons pupils trembled slightly. Ichae, have you practiced rapping a lot? Want me to show you? No, thats fine. I dont really want to hear it. Okay. But when Im in front of you, I. Want. To. Act. Irrationally. Even as Seong Jiwon stubbornly mimicked Kang Ichaes rap part, Seo Hoyun simply looked at him with a subtle smile. [Ah, how does Seo Hoyun hold back hisughter while facing this?] [So shameless, Seong Jiwon, hes perfect at copying the awkward smile and all that] [Wow, hes good at acting, Im really looking forward to episode 1 of Please Take the Camera] I. Want. To. Hold. You. Tight. And. Pour. Out. Such. Words. As Noeul members choked withughter, Seong Jiwon continued rapping as he walked away. Still maintaining his poker face, Seo Hoyun carelessly put the book he had taken out earlier back when Kang Ichae appeared. Baby rabbit, HouHou, has arrived. Seo Hoyuns expression almost crumbled for a moment. Kang Ichae smirked and crossed his arms, leaning against the locker with Hoyuns signature menacing smile. However, Hoyun wasnt going to let it slide. Hoyun, hi. Do you want to practice with Ichae, who got demoted in the game tier these days? No. Seong Jiwon I have a problem. What is it? Catching a slightly anxious gaze from Hoyun, Ichae lowered his long eyshes. Im just too pretty, and its serious. [Ah] [Ichae, are you going to die today?] [Hoyun is so pissed] Hmph. Hoyun. Seo Hoyun was indeed pissed, as the others had said, but he clenched his teeth and responded. However, Kang Ichae didnt stop and just raised his eyebrows, saying, Why. What. Why. Are you jealous because Im so pretty? Hoyun wouldnt talk like that. What? Hey, stop it. Kang Ichae, your imitation failed. I dont treat Seong Jiwon like that, okay? Having given up imitating Seong Jiwon and leaving it all behind, Seo Hoyun gnawed his teeth, but Kang Ichae only raised one side of his lips. The only problem was What are you gonna do? Kang Ichae knew Seo Hoyun far too well. Kang Ichae perfectly imitated Seo Hoyun without a care in the world. A subtitle then appeared on the screen. [Seo Hoyun Failed in Laugh-Enduring Challenge X Pissed-Enduring Challenge Pissed Off Enduring Challenge Failed] [] While the broken rap-robot Seong Jiwon and pissed baby rabbit, HouHou, at a nonsensical challenge Kang Ichae opened the ssroom door and then swirled around his long legs. Jeong Dajun and Kim Seonghyeon, who were talking, came into view. Jeong Dajun was nagging non-stop as the two were cleaning the ssroom. Jeong Dajun, didnt I tell you to take your vitamins earlier? Are you just eating snacks? Jeong Da Jun, in his own way, managed to defend himself by imitating Kim Seonghyeon, the tallest in the group, who was stretching his legs out and seemed to be quite at a loss. It was because he wasnt good at acting. Please just stop being so loud, Jeong Dajun. Kang Ichae, who had entered the ssroom, looked at them without much expectation (still acting like Seo Hoyun). Kim Seonghyeon opened his mouth. so loud. [oh my god ] [Is it called bouncing around just because Jeong Dajun is jumping around?? Hey, is this really an imitation??] Puwahaha Seeing that, even Kang Ichae, who had been doing well at the imitation game, almost crumbled. He had to clench his teeth to hold it in. Meanwhile, Jeong Dajun squinted his eyes and sat down like Kim Seonghyeon. Dajun, lets do it properly, okay? Wheres your reply? Yes, hyungie-hyungie. Puwahaha [Hyungie-hyungie = Hyung-hyung?? ] [Hey, just because you add an ie at the end doesnt make you Jeong Dajun ][1] [Kang Ichae, hey, you failed. Hey, just give up.] I want to quit Puwahaha. [Kang Ichae failed the hold-yourugh challenge!!] Kang Ichae seemed like the one most likely to survive until the end but was unexpectedly beaten quickly. Even as Kang Ichae gave up, sobbing half-heartedly white on his desk, Jeong Dajun continued to nag at Kim Seonghyeon with determination. Kim Seonghyeon only responded with a disgruntled Yes, yes or Got it, sir. Finally, all the members of The Dawn gathered I. Want. To. Look. Good. To. You. Kang Ichae,e at me right now. Ack! Sorry! Ahh! Bounce, bounce. and it was a pure mess. [Jeong Dajun held back hisughter while watching Kim Seonghyeon imitate him but crumbled when he saw Seong Jiwoning while rapping Cant be helped, how could you hold back after seeing Seong Jiwons stato, Seo Hoyun is amazing.] [Seo Hoyun eventually grabbed Kang Ichaes cor Kang Ichae, in the midst of it all, I got it, dont be mad, Ill give you a carrot If I were Seo Hoyun, Id hit him too] And so, the winner of theughter suppression challenge was Kim Seonghyeon, who had been just mumbling Bounce, bounce all along. Thank you. Whats this for? Kim Seonghyeon murmured destely, not at all happy even after receiving a fake gold-ted ne. So, who is this for? Anyway, the response from the fans was good, so whats the big deal Seo Hoyun thought for the first time that day that he wanted to leave the members behind and quickly return to the drama set. [1] This was really hard to trante in its original form, so I went for something close, -ie. Kim Seonghyeon initially said, . The word means hyung. The change from to involves changing the final - (ng) sound to - (h), which gives it a more yful, cutesy tone. This kind of change is often used in Korean to make words sound more yful or cute.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 101 Chapter 101 As the first half of the drama shoot wasing to an end, the broadcasting began. On the day the first episode aired, the entire cast and staff gathered at a rented restaurant. Ah, I guess its Seo Hoyuns first time at such an event? Usually, we all gather to watch the first episode together. But sometimes we skip it if the shooting schedule is tight. Haha, its my first time with a drama. Id done variety shows before. Still tired of the aftereffects of my variety show appearance, I tried to sit in a corner when Director Yu called me over with a hand gesture. Seo Hoyun! This way, this way. Where are you going! Your seat is right here. Damn it. I was called to the seat I absolutely didnt want to sit in. But I couldnt ignore the director, so I sat beside Writer Kim, avoiding Min Jiheon as much as possible. Yu Jia was seated across from me and greeted me with a smile. Great job today. Your ad-lib was really good! Thank you. I couldnt stay seated for long because of everyoneing in. I had to stand up, greet people, and ept their drinks. Finally, after the pre-dramamercials began, I could sit down. I wonder what the ratings will be this time? Well, I do have some influence, so I hope the first episode can at least get 4%. Isnt that too modest? I bet on 6%. How about you, Min Jiheon? Me? Um Ill bet on 6 for the first episode too. While the main dishes hadnt even been served yet, Min Jiheon suddenly lifted his head after devouring most of the side dishes. The final highest rating will be 18%. 18%?! Are you crazy? I choked on my water. Min Jiheon was doing this on purpose. A rating of 18% is almost a syndrome. Well get a reward vacation. Im really expecting a lot~. Wow, Ive never seen Min Jiheon like this before. What about you, Seo Hoyun? I had tried my best not to be involved in the conversation, but the question still came. I wiped my mouth with a tissue and answered. I also Sigh Ill also go with 18%, like Min Jiheon-sunbae. Wow, thats ambitious~! Im looking forward to it. Though it seemed like a deliberate act, everyone took it as the spirit of a rookie andughed. Damn this fucking percentage. That must be Min Jiheons standard for sess. Id have to surpass that for him to talk to me. As we were chatting, the first episode began. Everyone cheered and pped as the opening scene rolled with the sound of camera shutters. Wow, Yu Jia is such a great actress. Her crying at the funeral made me want to cry too. Haha, youre too kind. Yu Jias portrayal of her fathers funeral was truly amazing. Her acting talents shone through as she transitioned from a singer to an actress. Everyone could see that Yu Jia was destined for sess. Wow~! Min Jiheon, you look great on screen. Honestly, Min Seungtaes character could be easily disliked, but you really make it believable with your charm alone. Lets just skip Min Jiheon. Finally, my face appeared on the screen as I joined thepany. It was a different feeling than monitoring my performance on stage. A staff member checking the ratings andmunity reactions next to me gave me two thumbs up. Wow, as soon as Seo Hoyun appears, things heat up again?! Where, where? I want to see it! Its all positive feedback right now! Haha Ill have to check it outter as well. Although I wasnt too concerned about my acting, I did worry if it would cause harm to The Dawn if people thought it wasnt that good. My phone kept ringing, and I saw messagesing in quickly on the group chat with the members. Jeong Dajun: Hyung hyung hyung when are you appearing?? Seong Jiwon: It seems like Hoyun is busy Lets not bother him Seong Jiwon: Oops!! Hoyun is on now!!!! Kang Ichae: Wow Kang Ichae: What the Kang Ichae: So handsome Jeong Dajun: OMG!!!!!!! Why are you so good at acting??? Jeong Dajun: PD Lee Jeonghun. Im totally immersed right now Jeong Dajun: Tot[1] Kim Seonghyeon: Wereughing because its so unbelievable right now Kim Seonghyeon: Why didnt you act if you could do it so well? I didnt want to see Min Jiheon, so I replied briefly to the messages and focused on the drama. As expected from a script by the renowned Kim Sukhui, the work was so engaging that I couldnt take my eyes off it until the end. With her hair tightly tied back, Yu Jia ran to the broadcast station, and the credits for episode 1 rolled. Everyone finally let out a sigh of relief and checked their buzzing phones. At that moment, a staff member from the next table suddenly stood up and cheered. Real-time ratings are at 6.2%! Wow! Writer Kim Sukhui let out a sigh of relief, and Director Yu screamed as he got up. A rating of 6.2% was a good start. Could it continue to rise and reach 18%? Congrattions. Its a hit! A hit! While racking my brain and digging through my memory of past drama ratings, I exchanged greetings non-stop with people. Amidst this, I made eye contact with Min Jiheon. Lets hope it keeps going up like this right? It has to go up. How far? Up to fucking percent. Ah, I mean 18 percent. Min Jiheons eyes widened, and then he smiled beautifully. His face was as radiant as ever. *** [Title: Please Take the Camera, this feels like a masterpiece. K-drama fanatic for 25 years I can feel it. This is a masterpiece. When Yu Jeonghwa cried at the funeral I used a whole box of tissues Seriously Yu Jias acting is insane Right? And behind her, that arrogant Min Seungtae cant even talk and just stands there with an umbre Is his gaze insane? Hes definitely guilty Min Jiheons acting gets better and better; sometimes it seems like hes possessed ;; Definitely a rising star] [Title: Who is PD Lee Jeonghun? Super handsome and has a strong vibe. Is he a rookie?? Seo Hoyun OMG I just looked it up, hes an idol???? ] [Title: But wasnt there supposed to be an idol in this drama? My friend hated it when they said an idol would be in it, but I didnt know who the idol was until the end. Is it Yu Jias friend? Or the one who joined as a PD at the same time? No, its PD Lee Jeonghun ??????? Him??? I was really surprised too Seo Hoyuns acting is like hes possessed by PD Lee Jeonghun How old is he? Hes quite old for an idol, isnt he? 23 ???? He doesnt look 23 ;; I guess celebrities really have different auras He was criticized for being cast in the drama since they had to adjust his characters age to fit, but hes doing well] Themunitys reaction was pretty good. As the inte heated up with reactions, the ratings for episode 2 inevitably increased. Episode 2s rating was 9.1%. The people criticizing PD Lee Jeonghun for being too harsh on rookie Yu Jeonghwa, even though he was also a rookie, hadpletely disappeared by episode 2. [Title: Hey, is it okay if I sub to Kabu? At first, Lee Jeonghun (Seo Hoyun) was so harsh on Yu Jeonghwa (Yu Jia) that it reminded me of when I was a rookie Ah, darn it! How would a rookie know? I was so pissed off. But did you see todays episode? Ill sum up the highlights based on my standards.
  1. A higher-up came and was upset about who handled this job.. Our rookie Yu Jeonghwa did it
(A scene where Lee Jeonghun blocks the flustered Jeonghwas view) Lee Jeonghun: I did it. Im sorry. Boss: What? How could a PD like you make such a mistake? Lee Jeonghun: People can make mistakes. Even the chief did that two years ago Boss: (grabbing the back of the neck) Hey, hey, hey,e here! Lee Jeonghun: (calmly going) Sorry~ Im busy, gotta go~ So, as Jeonghwa feels extremely sorry, Lee Jeonghun says this to her: (sigh) Why do you think I get paid more than you? Its to take care of things like this Jeonghwa: Im sorry I couldnt help at all Lee Jeonghun: Wow, do you really think so? Jeonghwa: Maybe?? Lee Jeonghun: Good to know I thought you had no idea. Jeonghwa: (trembling) It was suspicious from this point
  1. Rookie Jeonghwa messed up again today, so Lee Jeonghun goes crazy
At first, Jeonghwa was like Why am I like this ? and What did I do wrong , but after a month, she starts swearing a lot (Jeonghwas inte search history.png) [How to bury the boss in the mountain] [How to swear at the boss without getting caught] [How to backstab that bastard Lee Jeonghun] Shes searching stuff like this Every office worker can rte to this extreme hyperrealism Jeonghwa is grumbling again today, and then Lee Jeonghun urgentlyes to use Jeonghwas workputer. But Jeonghwa didnt delete her inte history. Jeonghwa: Wait a minute!! Lee Jeonghun: Why? And then, the mouse click Lee Jeonghun: (silence) He sees Jeonghwas inte search history Jeonghwa cant stay still but Lee Jeonghun just casually moves on. Lee Jeonghun: Ah I was like this too Jeonghwa: Im so so so sorry Lee Jeonghun: Its okay It can happen. As I watch, Im like, what?? I empathize with Jeonghwa so much, why did that guy Lee Jeonghun just let it go?? I thought Jeonghwa was like, At least he has a line he doesnt cross and was touched, but then Lee Jeonghun stood up. Lee Jeonghun: Im done using theputer~ Ill leave now. Jeonghwa: Umm, where are you going? The meeting is about to start Lee Jeonghun: Ah Jeonghwa: (gulp) Lee Jeonghun: To the mountain~ Lee Jeonghun: Im going to dig my grave in advance~ I should check it out since its my burial ce, right? Jeonghwa: (trembling) Lee Jeonghuns passive-aggressiveness is too muchHe never finishes with just one round. After that, he always asks Jeonghwa if she knows anything about feng shui whenever he sees her, saying hes worried about where to put his grave Its so annoying
  1. As always, the beautiful garbage, PD Lee Jeonghun, manages to do something crazy today Jeonghwa is pissed off and gritting her teeth while typing on the keyboard when suddenly, another team asks for help.
Another team member: Jeonghwa, can you do this by tomorrow? Jeonghwa: Yes?? Um Another team member: Im sorry, its urgent. Were short-handed here. Jeonghwa: (Do I have to do this too? Pupil trembles) This rookies dilemma But I saw those other team members gossiping while drinking coffee in the break room earlier. So annoying. When Jeonghwa was hesitating, I was alone, shouting, Jeonghwa, Jeonghwa, ahhhh dont take that job!!! but Jeonghwa: Yes, I understand! = I dont understand at all!! And she epts the job anyway I thought I was having PTSD. And when Lee Jeonghun returned from the location scouting, he saw Yu Jeonghwa working and raised his eyebrows. Lee Jeonghun: What are you doing now? Yu Jeonghwa: Huh? Oh, this is something another team asked for Lee Jeonghun: What? (stern look) Yu Jeonghwa: (Im screwed) After that it was just Lee Jeonghuns time He went to another variety show team and was really crazily angry but Yu Jeonghwa watched him, trembling like a scared rabbit from behind The narration was amazing. Yu Jeonghwa: (dumbfounded) Our pretty, trashy PD I wondered where he could use that personality Hes using it in fights with other teams And, of course, Lee Jeonghun came back victorious. He looked cool and confident, though he had dark circles under his eyes. Yu Jeonghwa: (trembling) Lee Jeonghun: Jeonghwa Yu Jeonghwa: Yes!!! Lee Jeonghun: If someone asks you for something next time, tell them Ill go crazy, and it wont happen. Got it? Yu Jeonghwa: Wow (mouth closed) (moved) But Yu Jeonghwas emotions didntst long. Lee Jeonghun: (looking through documents, pausing) Why didnt you do this? Yu Jeonghwa: Well I was dealing with the other teams stuff Hearing that, Lee Jeonghunughed so beautifully and gracefully. Lee Jeonghun: Yu Jeonghwa. Yu Jeonghwa: (trembling) (Then the endless Niagara waterfall of swearing) Ah this waterfall CG is insane. Anyway, their rtionship is so fun. Ah I really think Ive been hit by their charm. Who wants to catch Lee Jeonghun with me? Ah, seriously Hes so shameless, but too cute. Hes been shameless from the start, so I started to like him even more when I hated him. This was put in to make us swoon, right? Am I going to catch this bad guy? Why are we even swooning over this? Theres nothing but getting scolded.] [Title: Sorry about the previous Lee Jeonghun post. This is a two-top romance, so theres no bad guy. The author couldnt put one in. Youre lying, right? Youve caught a losing stock] As soon as the drama gained poprity, Daepaseong Entertainment took the opportunity to spread the BTS and making-of films on their official YouTube channel. Fans were both angry and grateful, wondering why only now was Daepaseong making public the videos it already uploaded on YouTube. Thats the current situation! The manager exined the situation with a bright smile, sticking out his index finger. Honestly, I was speechless. Why on earth? [1] is an abbreviation of the word , which meanspletely or totally.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 102 Chapter 102 Any damage to The Dawn? Damage? Actually, the groups poprity is rising. Didnt you know your groups search term went up in ranking sincest time? I didnt know. I was only searching online how it was affecting The Dawn Besides, with Ichaes video of producing the drama OST being uploaded, the atmosphere is actually very supportive. Right, we were working hard on our album activities while I was also filming diligently. I gritted my teeth, not forgetting thest time I messed up. The nning team received a lot of bonuses this time, so it seemed like thepany was making quite a bit of moneytely. Well, at least its a relief that theyre making a lot of money I suddenly ran into Writer Kim Sukhui as I entered the filming set. She made a somewhat strangement. Seo Hoyun, are you good at portraying romantic emotions? Excuse me? What she said next was about the viewers reaction. is the response to the character Lee Jeonghun quite good? Honestly, it was quite surprising since all Lee Jeonghuns character had done in the drama so far was to tease the ve Yu Jeonghwa and the one-sided love interest, Min Seungtae. Hahaha, if a rude guy bothers you ten times and takes care of you once, thats quite charming. And we call them bad guys. Is that still far too innocent for you, Hoyun? Are all Koreans crazy? It wasnt something that someone who almost got pped by Kim Heeyeon should hear Anyway. Feeling slightly flustered, Writer Kim seemed to be seriously considering revising the script because of the better-than-expected response from the viewers to the chemistry between PD Lee Jeonghun and Yu Jeonghwa. Im writing episode 8 now, right? I originally nned on a two-top scenario, but the response to the breadcrumbs I threw in for Lee Jeonghun in the early episodes seems too good. Surprising that theres even such a response. Right. So, what Im saying is I began to feel anxious. Should we add some side plots and insert a love line? No!! Dont do that. No. I felt somewhat relieved when choosing this drama because of theck of a love line for my character, Lee Jeonghun. When hyping it up, I emphasized the term aplice rather than sub-male lead. Suddenly changing the course now would only bring criticism. On top of that, if the position changed, I would have to act in a love line with Yu Jia, someone who was not just an actor but an actress-turned-singer? Wow, just thinking about it sends chills down my spine. I didnt want to get involved with anyone as safely as possible, so Iughed awkwardly. I dont have the confidence to act out that kind of romance. Ah, I think youll do well? PD Lee Jeonghun may be rude, but he has a subtle way of making people flutter! No, no. How can Ipete with Min Jiheon-sunbae? I think it will only cause a bacsh if its ambiguous. Well Min Seungtaes character is quite strong, right? In terms of narrative and romantic acting. Thats right, that kids acting was just amazing. After I mentioned Min Jiheon, Writer Kim reluctantly gave up on the idea of a sub-male lead for Lee Jeonghun. Should we film a romance next time? Just giving me a chance would be a great honor. = Nope. Nevertheless, I managed to dodge it well. With relief, I finished filming for today at the broadcasting station. Still, as the episodes progressed, I got a little overwhelmed by the increasingly deep and rich emotions in Yu Jia and Min Jiheons acting. Min Jiheon was on par with Jeong Dajuns praise. He was just flying. Noona. Before entering the camera, he was brightlyughing, but as soon as the filming began, he suddenly shed tears and begged while grabbing Yu Jeonghwas sleeve Everyone sighed. Seeing Min Seungtae, who used to look down on everyone, begging Yu Jeonghwa like this would make the viewers hearts flutter. Im Im sorry Its all my fault. So dont look at me like that It was very earnest. At that moment, even I couldnt help but have my attention stolen by Min Jiheon. Thanks to Min Jiheons romantic acting, Writer Kim fell in love with him again andpletely gave up on her n to make Lee Jeonghun the sub-male lead. Is it the writers creative instinct or fickleness? And there was one more fickle person. Please take good care of me today~. Yes. Since ourst filming, Min Jiheon has gotten a taste for ad-libbing and has kept doing it. He also seemed to do it to Yu Jia but was particrly bad to me. I barely managed to finish acting, gnashing my teeth at the improvised lines that kepting relentlessly. The PD still had no intention of stopping him. Damn it. Relentless flow of ad-libs. Min Jiheon scrunched his nose andughed as I muttered under my breath. Yees. That extra letter e carried a clear determination not to stop.[1] Min Jiheon, please stop with the ad-libs. If youre going to do it, at least give me something. Isnt give-and-take too obvious? Are we that close? How about I punch you each time you ad-lib? Oops, sorry. Jiheon doesnt have that kind of taste. Just dont speak. The one who got whipped. I walked out with a disgusted look. I had no scenes to shoot for a while, so I was free. Then, I saw Lee Kangseok walking over from a distance. Why was he here? I heard that the part filming here was done. Ding! [Lee Kangseok is a regr guest on a variety show at this broadcasting station.] I frowned at the system message. The fast-witted system leaked a piece of information to me and then promptly disappeared. Mr. Seo Hoyun. He scowled as soon as he saw me but seemed to control his expression. I thought his previous sarcastic demeanor might be his real nature. Apparently, he was deeply afflicted with the incurable disease of actoritis. The ratings are good, congrattions? It must be nice. I guess being in the samepany as senior Min Jiheon has its perks. Ugh. Yes? No. This was the first time Ive heard ourpany being praised. I scratched the corner of my mouth and nodded. Yes, I was lucky. Exactly. Acting alone doesnt cut it. It seemed like Lee Kangseok was itching for a fight. He was revving up, pondering where to pick a bone. I wish I could have some of that luck. Lu-u-u-ck? Suddenly, a familiar voice filled withughter resonated out of nowhere. Eh? Hoyun-hyung is lucky? ? I turned around in surprise to find Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun standing there. Why were you guys popping out from there? Jeong Dajun genuinely looked surprised. No way, hyung is really unlucky. Ive never seen anyone as unlucky as hyung. The fact that we even got into ourpany is a bit. But thats the same for all of us. Wow, youre right! Kang Ichae whispered into Jeong Dajuns ear, but his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. Mr. Seo Hoyuns groupmates? With a somewhat shocked expression, Lee Kangseok and I stood still, buffering like a paused video. Then, Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon emerged from the opposite corridor, chattering away. Huh? Ah? After surveying the scene, they exchanged nces and hurriedly ran over. Hoyun, calm down and step back for now. Exactly. I get what youre thinking but stay back for now. The irony was that they didnt try to protect me but treated me like a public hazard, urging me to calm down. Seong Jiwon stepped forward, smiling like a bomb disposal expert. Hello, sunbae. Nice to meet you for the first time. Im Seong Jiwon, a member of the same group as Hoyun. Ah, my name is Lee Kangseok. Seong Jiwon politely bowed his waist, and the dragged-in Lee Kangseok unconsciously bowed his head, offering a clumsy greeting. Im really d to meet you like this. But why on earth with our Hoyun? Nothing much. I apologize for blocking the way. Ahaha, not at all. Please contact me separately if you have something to discusster. Okay, then. Take care. Lee Kangseok withdrew at Seong Jiwons subtle smile that suggested that its time to leave now. I admired him as I watched him go. Seong Jiwons ability to deflect attention had increased tremendously I really didnt know whose influenced this was. Kim Seonghyeon narrowed his eyes and looked at my expression. He asked, Youre not feeling sorry right now, are you? How do you see other people? I see them as Seo Hoyun. Youre treating me too much. I denied it and naturally avoided his gaze. It would be a lie to say that I wasnt sorry that Lee Kangseok obediently withdrew. Hoyuns acting skills are getting better and better. So, its acting. Of course, it didnt make sense at all. I heard the members snickering from behind and asked them, Why are you here? Ah, today is the day for our V-Live. Wasnt that supposed to be at the dorm? We nned to shoot some BTS footage at the filming site since you finished shooting early~. Hoyun, lets have beef after this!! The manager, who just showed up, turned on the camera and moved to the shooting site with the members. Since we had already obtained permission in advance when we filmed the script reading BTS and drama-making film, there were no problems as long as we followed a few precautions. When we captured some content and turned off the camera again, Uh. I bumped into the person I was desperate to avoid at all costs, Min Jiheon. He had just finished filming another scene and already changed into a different set of clothes. I wish he just passed by, but our Min Jiheon,cking tact as always, initiated a conversation again. We meet again~. Hello, Jeong Dajun. I thought Jeong Dajun, a Min Jiheon fan, would be happy and jump around, but he made a strange expression and. Yes, hello. He just nodded his head awkwardly. Ding! [Huh?] Huh? [1] This is different from the original Korean text. Hoyun muttered, , which roughly trantes as Flowing instantly. Min Jiheon replied with . The standard word for yes is , but the addition of makes it a bit humorous, almost exaggerated.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 103 Chapter 103 Jeong Dajun had the nerve?! Our sweet, youngest gang eoljwi ying with his favorite persons feelings?[1] This was an earth-shattering matter, but Jeong Dajun just calmly looked at Min Jiheon. His demeanor was so different from when he had praised Min Jiheon before that I was taken aback, and the other members were also shocked. Hmm And sharp-minded Min Jiheon, who only looked nave on the outside, couldnt have missed that. He chuckled and nced at the members one after the other, then merely nodded his head. Seo Hoyun must be happy~. Stop talking nonsense. I should be going Yes, please hurry and go away. Ahaha. See youter. I watched Min Jiheon walk away indifferently, but as soon as he was out of sight, I turned my head toward Jeong Dajun. Jeong Dajun was covering his face with both hands. Jeong Dajun whats going on with you? Give me a moment. Im trying to channel my sorrow. If he got this upset over being ignored once, why did he do that in the first ce? Jeong Dajun washed his face for a while, then suddenly lifted his head. Huh, okay. Good job, Jeong Dajun. Me, who chose the annoying guy over my favorite I was quite cool. Isnt that right, hyung? Am I your favorite? Hyung, why are you being like this to me?? Jeong Dajun was unusually annoyed now. As I awkwardly epted his irritation, something suddenly crossed my mind. I remembered blurting out nonsense to Jeong Dajun. Right after that incident, when I asked him who he would choose between Min Jiheon and me. I chuckled and poked Jeong Dajuns cheek. Between Min Jiheon and Seo Hoyun, did you choose me? Hyung, I thought about it. Do you remember the fan meeting from a while back? Jeong Dajun said sullenly. Who would I choose Kim Seonghyeon, proud of the backstabbing Jeong Dajun, patted him on the shoulder and ruffled his hair. Hmm. I didnt expect Jeong Dajun, of all people, to do that. Although I assumed that people would naturally look after their own interests, I had thought of Jeong Dajun as a kind of a child left by the water, which made me feel strange. Where did you learn that attitude? [Hes only been seeing you for the past six months. Who else could he have learned from?] Was that so? Apparently, the fact that I felt ufortable around Min Jiheon had already been decided within The Dawn. Kang Ichae, that child, must have realized by now. Kim Seonghyeon and Seong Jiwon must have noticed to some extent as well. And looking at Jeong Dajuns state now, I guess he also found out. But to what extent? Lets give it a try? I organized my thoughts and opened my mouth, but You know guys. Hoyun, what do you want to eat? Seong Jiwon quickly interrupted me. I raised an eyebrow, and Kang Ichae quickly followed up. Foie gras. Pork belly? Okay. Huhu, Jiwon-hyung is so mean, so mean~. Bang bang~. Suddenly it got noisy, and I missed the timing again. While I was blinking, the members had already moved far away as they cheerfully chatted. Kim Seonghyeon looked back. What are you doing? Come quickly. Yeah. I nodded my head and slowly followed them. I deliberately slowed my steps until I couldnt hear their voices and quietly asked the system window. Did I just imagine you interrupting me earlier? Ding! [Yes!] Are you upset? While I was staring in disbelief, the system window seemed frustrated and let out its irritation. [I really think Seong Jiwon is so cool and Kang Ichae is so so nice Jeong Dajun is so cute and Kim Seonghyeon is just shining] What kind of sunset is this? [Seo Hoyun is the most annoying] It suddenly popped into my head as I deliberately ignored the system window. [From the members perspective, it was clear that Seo Hoyun was showing off.] So? [Hey, please, wake up in this harsh world.] If I wasnt awake, who would be? I gave the system window a disdainful look, and it offered an additional exnation. [Think from the members perspective, Seo Hoyun. From the Shining Star era, youve been handling things unterally and shouldering all sorts of burdens. The members, including Seong Jiwon, already understand and ept that youre that kind of person.] Then why did he just do that? [That was Seong Jiwon being considerate. You dont have to tell him, he says, and if youre not going to tell him properly, dont show off Instead, hell help carry the load.] It was not immediately clear. Anyone who had worked a job would understand. Even if someone else took on all sorts of burdens and worked on their own, only a grateful person would be grateful. The other 99% either didnt know or pretended not to. I was just working my bones off alone. But with this incident, was that his way of offering to help carry the load? Why? [How about just being honest?] What? You want me to tell them about the system window and that Im from a parallel universe or something? [That would be difficult] See? Tsk. I clicked my tongue. Even if I tell them, I will only look crazy. Its straight to the hospital for delusions of grandeur. [] I would not tell them about my situation, now or in the future. I still havent changed my belief about that. [Do what you will.] But strangely, the system window seemed upset. Whats going on? Why? [Just live like that.] Hey. Hey. No matter how much I called, it didnt respond. I was sure it was listening, but it still chose not toe out. I sighed for a moment and approached the members, still making a fuss about choosing only one menu item for dinner. Why should I say anything? It wouldnt bring anything good, anyway. I crossed my arms and watched Seong Jiwon, pushing back against Kang Ichaes stubborn proposal to eat foie gras for dinner, suddenly perk up his head. Right, Hoyun. I forgot to tell you something. What is it? Bracing myself for possible criticism, I looked at Seong Jiwon, but he only tilted his head slightly. Hoyun, your acting is really good. What? And with augh, he made ament I hadnt expected. Were really proud of you. I was lost for words at Seong Jiwons suddenpliment. I just turned my head away without saying anything, wetting my lips. But Seong Jiwon just kept smiling. Seeing the situation, Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun added, Wow. Hoyuns face is almost like hes been hexed. The one who undressed the wanderer was the warm sunlight. Shut up. *** As the drama was slowly reaching its second half, it was almost the end of PD Lee Jeonghuns shooting. It was most appropriate for a supporting role like mine to carry that much weight. It also signaled that it was time to return to idol activities. Of course, the 18 percent viewership rating was my biggest concern It would be a lie to say I was not worried, but for now, there was nothing I could do other than to do the best acting I could do. Of course, there werent no other methods at all Anyway, if there was one, the constion was that Please Take the Camera was fun enough to hook even the fastidious Jeong Dajun. Jeong Dajun: The criminal Dajun thought of See! Even now, while I was in the van, constant messages wereing from Jeong Dajun. I already knew what would happen, so I tried to ignore him, but the notifications kept ringing incessantly. Jeong Dajun: The department head is the criminal Kang Ichae: Ah Kang Ichae: Your joking? Thats too much, I bet on the neighbor ajusshi Jeong Dajun: No, its suspicious. Trust Chief Min Seungtae Jeong Dajun: Does Min Seungtae have a ss 1 drivers license because hes getting kidnapped, right?? Seems like Yu Jeonghwa would drive a truck, park it, and rescue him Jeong Dajun: Trust me, Ive been a drama fan for 18 years Kang Ichae: Darn it Kang Ichae: Surprisingly, theres some persuasive power in that Jeong Dajun is scary. He was about 90% correct. He left out the part where Yu Jeonghwa, after knowing all the facts and before making amends, will get angry and p Min Seungtae I just shook my head and looked out the window. Ah, you can drop me off here. Hoyun, lets go together! No, could you buy some coffee with this? Manager, have a cup too. !! So touching!! Oh my god! I handed my card to my easily-moved manager and left the car leisurely. I did it on purpose. I needed to leave the manager behind and walk around by myself. Today, I need to do some backstage maneuvering with the staff! I still didnt know what Min Jiheon was thinking, but as I always said, insurance was necessary for professionals. There was nothing bad about it. Oh! Hoyun is here. Hello. Hoyuns backstage maneuvering begins~! As I revved the engine and exchanged greetings, the camera director, whom Id be somewhat close with over the past few weeks, held up his coffee cup. The king of coffee carts is here! Dont you have one today? Do I seem like a walking coffee shop to you? Hahaha, youre such a clever guy. I could see Min Jiheon talking to PD Yu in front of the camera. They seemed to be discussing the scene they had just shot. I continued to watch them for some time before leaving. We kept our conversation going as we moved in the same directionwith me heading to the makeup room and the camera director off to fetch recement equipment. PD Lee Jeonghun was really popr in thetest episode, even though he doesnt have that many lines Its all thanks to the staff who shot it beautifully. Ahaha. The writer was really struggling with whether she should make Lee Jeonghun the secondary male lead. I wish she wouldnt do that When I scratched my head with a slightly awkward face, the camera director seemed slightly disappointed while fiddling with his equipment. Then, I got a feeling. Okay. Now was the time to drop some hints. The ratings are really good this time, arent they? Right. 12%! And this isnt even a weekend drama. Everyones moving to cable or OTT services these days, so getting that kind of rating is a big deal.[2] Were surpassing the ratings of other dramas in the same time slot, arent we? Oh, that one~. The director suddenly burst outughing. Youre talking about the drama where Lee Kangseok suddenly became its secondary male lead, right? Suddenly? Right. Originally, Lee Kangseok was supposed to take on Lee Jeonghuns role. The audition was only going to be a formality, but it ended with Seo Hoyun being cast instead. I had a rough idea of this story. But its good that we didnt get to work with Lee Kangseok. Why? Well, having Seo Hoyun was a blessing, but The director trailed off, nced around to ensure no one was nearby, and then winked yfully. Lee Kangseok has a not-so-good reputation. What do you mean? I inserted a casual interjection and waited. People tended to spill more when you acted like you didnt know much but still showed interest. Sure enough, the response came quickly. Abusive behavior. To his own manager. I fucking knew it! I celebrated inwardly. At times like this, I had to admit, I was quite lucky. Unexpectedly, the system window popped up even though I hadnt said anything. Ding! [You are reeaaally.] Well, its not umon for celebrities, but Lee Kangseok is too much. Hes probably caught star disease, so the verbal abuse towards his manager is quite severe. Oh dear, really. As they say, the riper the corn, the lower the head, right? I organized my thoughts. Why hadnt Kim Jaeyeon told me about this useful information? Perhaps, he thought a controversy over abusing your manager was not even worth paparazzi talk. Or he might have pretended not to know. Its such a relief that youre working with us, Seo Hoyun~. Theres not much time left until the final shooting. Just hang in there a bit more! Lets have a meal after its over, Director. You said you liked Chinese foodst time. Wow, you remember that? Seo Hoyun, you really pay attention to details. The shooting finally resumed. The camera director went to rece the equipment, and I went to the makeup room. I contemted what Id heard as I changed clothes and rolled up my sleeves. If the manager abuse controversy breaks out naturally, their ratings will drop. There could be various factors, but if the drama airing simultaneously had lower ratings, naturally, the chances of the other dramas ratings increasing would increase. The n was set, but what I was worried about was the method. Should I do it or not? If I dont do it, could I still benefit from it? I was sorting out my thoughts when Hoyuun~. ! Someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder. The area was teeming with staff, and Min-gro had just shown up while calling me a hyung. [1] is a shortened form of a ng that trantes to a mouse you want to bite because they are so cute. [2] OTT = over-the-top media, i.e., inte streaming
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 104 Chapter 104 Whats up? What did you just call me? Had this kid lost his mind? We were in a bustling shooting set filled with staff, and Min Jiheon just called me hyung.[1] I was struggling not to raise the corners of my mouth, but my face threatened to twitch. Then, Min Jiheon shamelessly tilted his head. Um can I call you something else? Jeonghun-hyung or maybe Hoyun-hyung? Which do you prefer? Haha, your expression is funny. Such a cheeky brat. He clearly saw that I was just with the camera director. But, by any chance, was what I saw just now a trick? What are you talking about, sunbae. For now, Iughed and brushed him off casually. Then I walked away from the staff, and Min Jiheon trailed along beside me. Is it alright for you to startle me like this, sunbae? I get that youre immersed in the acting, but were outside the cameras view right now. If this kid, you, Min Jiheon, keeps acting out, Ill lose it, wont I? Wow your gradation of anger is really cool. Why did youe? I told you not to pretend like you know me. Min Jiheon smiled brightly. Hey, dont be grumpy. I was just curious about what youre up to, thats all. There was definitely something going on. I studied him closely, then decided to throw a fastball. Do you know Lee Kangseok well? Huh? Min Jiheon tilted his head to the opposite side from before. Do I? He even gave me a carrot cake, you know? That must have been delicious. Ahaha, I wouldnt know since someone ate it first. Looking at him making such trivial jokes, it seemed he didnt know about the rumors. Well, Lee Kangseok might have controlled his image in front of Min Jiheon so he wouldnt notice. I shrugged my shoulders and organized my thoughts. I was asked to act better than Lee Kangseok but thats not objective. There was a more objective method. Just prevent him from acting. Moreover, by bullying his manager, Lee Kangseok perfectly set the stage for me. Ill send Lee Kangseok to hell, and while their ratings might be low, it will still increase ours. I would be a fool if I couldnt take advantage of this. As I thought about how to carry out my n, I looked up and saw Min Jiheon staring at me with a strange smile. What? Just. Min Jiheon awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. I always got anxious when he did this. Out of curiosity you said you originally belonged to another world. Will you go back once this is over? Of course. The system window was, as always, quiet. There was the career Ive built over the past half a year, the fans, and the members. There was a moment of silence, but as always, my mind was firm. Im doing all this nonsense to go back. Why? Even after rejuvenating yourself. Is that important? It is. Min Jiheon chuckled slightly. And I think it would be better if you stay here. ? Itd be fun and I want to see what happens. There was an odd certainty in his tone. I red at him, and Min Jiheon looked away. Well fighting. Min Jiheon. Min Jiheon tried to leave as if he had said everything he wanted to, but I grabbed him urgently. Are you saying there are disadvantages if I return to my original world? Or do you think its more advantageous to stay here? Um Why? Uh Min Jiheon scratched his cheek and let out a deep sigh. Its hard to exin I dont really know because Im not the one involved Sorry. Talking to this guy felt like an endless series of unsolvable puzzles. Min Jiheon, pretending or not, subtly nced at me. The more I see you, the more I feel attached. I feel guilty about enjoying this. But weve made a promise Shall we wait for the viewer ratings? Our drama is doing well right now. As I said with a frown, a staff member called Min Jiheon from afar. Min Jiheon, its time to shoot! Okay~Im going? Min Jiheon gave me an awkward smile and then walked toward the set. I opened the calendar on my phone and started calcting. There were three weeks left until thest broadcast. When that dayes, I have to get an answer. What am I waiting for? I didnt forget to text Kim Jaeyeon. I need you to check something. When I finished filming my scenes, I received a reply from Kim Jaeyeon. Dont worry, I think that situation is under control. Huh. It seemed like a green light, a sign that this could be a freebie. And exactly three dayster, the Lee Kangseok issue blew up. *** [Scandalous revtion about actor B shatters the calm of the entertainment world] [Lee Kangseoks Bullying controversy, shocking video of him swearing at his manager spreads] [Title: Have you seen the Lee Kangseok video? Its spreading even though his agency is trying to suppress it Ah Wasnt Lee Kangseok known for his gentle image? Yeah, hes really broken Wow I heard the recording, and I feel like my ears are dirty Hes done. His acting was just okay, he got popr with his campus oppa image, and he cant rely on his acting to save him Its over Wasnt this leaked by his manager? How much grudge must he have had Do you think hes crazy? Its still his agency Its highly possible. Lee Kangseok must have let his guard down, thinking the manager is going to just lose to him.] The posts that had spread dered the end of Lee Kangseok. When he topped the real-time search rankings, and parodies of Lee Kangseoks bullying started appearing on YouTube, sparking massive negative attention, another rumor started to spread. [Title: Do you know Lee Kangseok was originally cast as PD Lee Jeonghun?? I have a friend working in broadcasting Apparently, Lee Kangseok really wanted to y the role of Lee Jeonghun and it was almost confirmed. He just needed to audition, but then a new actor who performed really well in the audition appeared. So Lee Kangseok was removed, and that newbie was cast. They say Lee Kangseok threw a fit at his manager when his casting was cancelled Wow is that true??? Wow Now that I think about it, he really doesnt fit the character. Casting was a godsend The insiders must have known about Lee Kangseoks personality Wait, so the one who came in was Seo Hoyun? I thought it was because hes from the same agency as Min Jiheon We all thought so too. He was ying a character who didnt match his age after all.] [Title: Guys, Seo Hoyun went through the 1st, 2nd, 3rd auditions and he got the highest score among the participants. Respect Wow so Seo Hoyun really got the role through his acting skills How embarrassing must it be for the actor who lost the role to a newbie?? But now I cant imagine anyone other than Seo Hoyun as Lee Jeonghun.] No, it wasnt exactly because of my acting skills, but good luck. However, public sentiment was in my favor. When a video of Lee Kangseoks bullying spread, and it was revealed that he had originally hoped for Please Take the Camera, more people started to take an interest in our drama. That week, the viewer ratings for Please Take the Camera increased by about 2 percent, recording 14 percent. Yu Jeonghwa. Thest scene shooting. Walking briskly with my ID card, I spotted Yu Jeonghwa talking to Min Seungtae from afar and frowned. Min Seungtae smiled brightly, looking very satisfied with his sessful work and happy rtionship. Then he saw me and suddenly hardened his expression. He nodded his head slightly and walked away. I let out a big sigh to rx my face and slowly approached Yu Jeonghwa. And then, pretending to be nonchnt, I called her again. Yu Jeonghwa. Oh, PD? What is it? You left your ID card. Oh, thank you! Looking at Yu Jias smile, I cleared my throat and asked, So Did you sort things out with Min Seungtae? Yep. I felt relieved after hitting him once. Good for you. Im d to hear that. Wow~, if you hadnt helped me back then, I wouldve been cleaning up that mess! I really appreciate you, sunbae. Yu Jia as Yu Jeonghwa excitedly chattered away with a smile. She thought fervently about what the writer had said to her: Even though she thinks its a waste on Min Seungtae, she cant help but feel like a helpless uncle as she sees her junior happy. Honestly, it was because Yu Jia was actually thinking that way that the acting came easy to her. Should I have hit him one more time? Would you help me? Should I? When I chuckled, Yu Jeonghwa blinked in surprise before giving me a thumbs-up. PD has a super bad personality if you really look. There must be other virtues. Somewhere, if you look hard enough. Do you want to work tomorrow, Yu Jeonghwa? As I asked with my arms crossed, Yu Jeonghwa raised her eyebrows. She had the expression of What the hell are you talking about when were working our bones off tomorrow anyway. I calmly said to her, I was nning to work alone tomorrow and give you a day off ! But it seems like you want to work hard with me tomorrow. Well, Im d to have an extra hand. And then, with a swish, Yu Jeonghwa followed me around, pleading, but I just rubbed my eyes with my hand and ignored her. Su-su-sunbae! You know that I respect you the most, right?? Umm Face genius! Smart! Graduated early, top of the ss! The PD who hits the jackpot in everything he does! I already heard all of that. When I lightly cleaned my ears, Yu Jeonghwa gritted her teeth. I looked at her and smirked. Personality? Yes? Am I a piece of shit? Yu Jeonghwa stuttered, took a few deep breaths, barely lifted the corners of her trembling lips, and finally sold out her conscience for a vacation. Youre an angel. Hmm? Theres a rumor in the broadcasting station that PD is the kindest. Where do you keep your wings? I removed them beforeing here. Iughed softly and put my employee ID card into my pocket. Then I unwrapped the candy in my pocket and chewed it happily. Go on vacation. Yes For about two days. I can cover that much. !! Yu Jeonghwa, sneakily sticking out her middle finger at me out of sight, opened her eyes wide and nodded like crazy. Ill bring your wings back, sunbae!! I saw them in the smoking room! Theyre a bit dirty but still usable! Sure~. Our hoobae now picks her nose well~. Who did I learn it from? Yu Jeonghwaughed out loud, waved her hand, and disappeared. The camera now focused only on me. I looked at Yu Jeonghwas retreating figure until it was out of sight. I clenched my fist tightly and thenughed out loud. What a waste, really. After saying the lines, I turned around and entered the broadcasting station. Behind me, PD Yu shouted, Cut! and the sound of apuse was heard. Cut! This will do! Thank you for your efforts! Perfect, perfect! Wow, Seo Hoyun, good job on yourst filming! After finishing thest filming like that, I was told to immediately monitor episode 14. I sat down in the outdoor seats and started talking with the people around me. This episode is really the real deal. The emotional lines are clean but not clich. Even though Lee Jeonghun doesnt have a lot of parts in this episode, he ys a huge role in adding the right tension. He is Yu Jeonghwas aplice and a funny rival to Min Seungtae. Well, hes a character with a shitty personality and a big mouth!! Seo Hoyun, you were perfect! Yes, Im very pleased. As I was listening to the conversation, the surroundings suddenly became hectic. Then, out of nowhere, arge bouquet was thrust in front of me. [Thank you so much for your hard work, PD Lee Jeonghun! Please Take the Camera Staff] Huh? Congrattions! You really worked hard on your first drama. The bouquet suits you well. Thank you for preparing all of this. Being with the staff for what felt simultaneously long and short probably made their thoughtfulness even more touching. When I briefly made eye contact with my manager, he nodded and passed a small card to the staff. Take this! Hoyun prepared it all night. What is this? The staff looked perplexed as they epted it. I warmly smiled and held onto the bouquet. Its nothing. Just a token of my appreciation. Holy cow, gift certificates!! You prepared all this?! Wait, did you prepare this with your own money? Haha, its not a big deal. As the staff opened their eyes wide, another staff member eximed in amazement. Handwritten letters too??! You wrote each and every one of them? Yes. Wow even the content is different It didnt take much time as it was just a few lines. I nodded at the staff looking at me with moved expressions while arranging the bouquet that kept falling apart. I noticed some of them taking pictures and uploading them on SNS. I was calmly taking in the sight of thest filming when PD Yu next to me took off his sses and dabbed at his tears. Seo Hoyun You really have be a person I dont know what to do when you are gone You have to y well with Min Jiheon-sunbae If possible, make him work hard. Anyhow, I looked at therge bouquet with a smile. Although my heart was beating a little, my mind was already racing. I thought about the old-fashioned conditions made by Min Jiheon. The first was to beat Lee Kangseok, while the second was to achieve the ratings. The first condition was achieved by Lee Kangseoks downfall. I hope the ratings are good~. Then, all that was left was the second condition. Indeed. Since the dramasst episode wasnt far off, it seemed that the highest ratings could change depending on this episodes ratings. Near the end of the 14th episodes airing, a call came from the control room. Yes, yes. Ahyes?! PD Yu suddenly stood up. Everyone looked surprised as he covered his mouth with one hand and hung up the phone. Why?! PD, why?! Hey, we, we. PD Yu still couldntplete his sentence. He scanned the staff and cast with wide eyes, then raised both hands and shouted. The viewership rating is 18 percent! At that moment, a smile spread across my face. Eight, eight, eighteen percent?! Everyone burst into cheers. Everyone seemed to have an adrenaline rush, probably because they had been drinking caffeine almost to the point of an IV drip and had been shooting for several days. Unbelievable. Isnt it the highest rating among the dramas currently airing? We hit the jackpot. Congrattions!! Thinking it was the right moment, my manager quickly turned on the camera and filmed my reaction. With a bright smile on my face, I nodded in greeting. For the record, it was a genuine smile, not a business one. It was out of joy for fulfilling the mission thrown by Min Jiheon. Todayspany dinner! No, we cant! We have a lot left to shoot for tomorrow. Go to bed early. PD Yu cut it off neatly, but he seemed to feel the most disappointed. I was showered with congrattions until I left the set with therge bouquet in my hand. Please go in. Thank you so much. Seo Hoyun! Its not over yet. Lets meet at the wrap-up party~. Haha, yes. Ill have to congratte you again then. Seo Hoyun, youve worked hard. I finished saying goodbye to the staff, including Yu Jia, who waved at me with a smile. When I got in the car, my manager was still happily chattering away, apparently still lost in the atmosphere. Wow, its really a jackpot. Thepany keeps calling. Youve worked hard too, Manager. Oh, youre the one who worked hard, Hoyun! Im so touched by the bouquet. When I think about how hard youve worked, I still want to cry Really? Then lets film your tears. Hoyun, youre really bad. Thanks to Lee Kangseok for screwing up on his own, I got the first one for free. I thought I had to wait until the wrap-up party to exceed 18 percent, but it happened sooner than I thought. As I sank deep into the seat and continued to converse with my manager, I was also fiddling with my phone. Come on. Min Jiheon was weird, but he wasnt the type to break a promise. Even though he was moody, he seemed to have his standards (which I didnt understand). He would keep his promise if I fulfilled the conditions he proposed. Just as I was sorting out my thoughts, Ring. My phone vibrated. [1] Technically, he didnt. Either the author made a mistake or something because Jiheon never actually called Hoyun a hyung in the original text.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 105 Chapter 105 Min Jiheon: Congrats As expected. Me: After quickly replying, I turned my head towards my manager. Ill be back after meeting with Min Jiheon-sunbae. Min Jiheon? Yes, we got pretty close during the shooting. He said we should grab a cup of coffee now that the final shoot is over. We really did get close. At this, my manager seemed to regard me proudly rather than finding it strange. Thats great! Its good when people from the same agency get along. We really are close. Close enough for me to asionally wish I could send Min Jiheon to hell. As I got off near the cafe Min Jiheon had suggested, I saw him in a corner, sipping coffee with a tired face. He had apparently rented out the entire cafe, which is why there wasnt even a single employee in sight. As I plopped down opposite Min Jiheon, there was already a frappino that he had ordered for me. Hello. What is it? Ah, justIm tired. His usually buoyant mood seemed deted. I understood his mood when I saw a script severely creased and stretched across the table. Even the skilled Yu Jia was having a hard time these days because of the emotional lines in the drama. I couldnt imagine how tough it was for Min Jiheon. Youve sessfully finished your first drama shoot. Congrats. Thanks. Heard youre quite popr in China and Japan. Haha, it doesnt feel real yet. Min Jiheons poprity skyrocketed with this drama. He already had a huge fan base not only in Korea but also overseas. Now, I heard he couldmand any price he wanted in China But lets talk about thatter. Thats enough small talk with sunbae. I took off my hat and asked him, Did you hear? About the ratings? Yeah, 18 percent. Thats the number you mentioned. Min Jiheon crunched the leftover ice cubes from his finished coffee into his mouth. Yeah. I thought it would be around that. What a frightening guy. At this rate, I was starting to think it might have been better to just stay low-keyed. Then, you should give me answers. Wasnt there one more condition? Min Jiheon had set two conditions for me. The ratings would hit 18 percent, and I would act better than Lee Kangseok. I stroked my chin. I will act better than Lee Kangseok. It was already done. Hes no match. His controversy heated up thanks to the leaked recording. Since Lee Kangseok had left the drama and the already filmed scenes, excluding the broadcasted ones, were being re-filmed with another actor, there was no one topare me with. But I couldnt mention that I smiled naturally as I stroked my chin. Honestly, didnt I do well? It was usually best to live with a bit of shamelessness. Of course, its nothingpared to you, but I thought I did pretty well for a rookie. Well, you did great. You really did. The staff members love you. Min Jiheon smiled as if he found it amusing. But I told you to surpass Lee Kangseoks acting, not to send him down the drain. I tilted my head as if I didnt know anything, but Min Jiheon seemed to have caught on. Were you nning to kick him outpletely? There was no evidence. Even if he found out that I had subtly baited the camera director, there would be no evidence that I had directly influenced it. In reality, I didnt do anything. I just let it slip. I hesitated for a moment. I was conflicted about whether to deny that I had such intentions or to get angry and argue back. But before I could answer, Min Jiheon spoke up as he fiddled with the edge of his cup where he had eaten all the ice. When I think about Lee Kangseok, its a bit regrettable. He had a subtle talent. If it wasnt for the recordingnoif it wasnt for his inferiorityplex, he would have gone a long way with his acting skills. His tone of voice I just looked at Min Jiheon. With his long eyshes lowered, he seemed unfazed by Lee Kangseoks bullying. Ah. I finally realized. I looked at him and asked, You knew, didnt you? You knew from the moment we made a bet that Lee Kangseok would blow up. Why did it have to be Lee Kangseok in the first ce? Just because he wanted to get rid of him? If you were topare acting, it wouldnt be fair topare my acting to a sub-male lead of a drama showing at the same time as ours, but rather, with an idol who was at a simr supporting role level. There have been many cases like that. So, Min Jiheon saying that he was only setting aparison between myself and Lee Kangseok was a lie. He just wanted to see how I would act with a problematic guy like Lee Kangseok beside me. As soon as I said that, Min Jiheon chuckled as if he found it amusing. His expression alone was enough to tell me. That I was right. Hyung, your mind works really fast. Crazy. Min Jiheon was not just looking the other way. His ability to read a person was eerily urate. I told you, when I was young, I behaved stupidly and caused a lot of trouble Ive practiced a lot since then. Now, I can tell what kind of a person someone is. The homemade carrot cake was um unexpected. Yeah, I didnt expect that either. Min Jiheon ran his fingers lightly over his arm as if he was really creeped out. However, Min Jiheon knew about Lee Kangseoks bullying and pretended not to know and still treated him the same. Min Jiheon was far from a guilty party. Baking a carrot cake and seeing ghosts The former might be better. At least it was cute and delicious. Whether he knew my thoughts or not, Min Jiheon shrugged his shoulders and returned to the main subject. Right, I knew. If I just wanted to see acting skills, I wouldnt have to bring up aparison, let alone bring Lee Kangseok in Well, it was a test to see if you would really take the bet or if you would use tricks. Of course, I would, you little shit. It looks like youre thinking, Of course, I would.'' You left out the little shit.'' Aigo. I made the wrong choice from the beginning. Anger? Denial? How could I have thought something like that would work on a guy who had swallowed a hundred cunning snakes? I admit it. I underestimated Min Jiheon. From the very beginning, Min Jiheon used Lee Kangseok to test me, using quests as a pretext. He was thinking a few steps ahead, and I couldnt reach that far. I originally set the condition out of curiosity, whether you would use a trick or not but the more I see, the more I realized that, of course, you would. You dont care about anyone unless theyre your people. Min Jiheon lifted his head and said in a tired voice. So, is hyung a trash? I dont think so. You are just a pitiful person. A pitiful person who can never change. Min Jiheon looked at me and gave a bitterugh. Whoa. Pitiful and self-deprecating that wasnt important right now. I pressed between my eyebrows and asked, So, are you going to cancel the bet? Ah, no way. Hyung is good at acting, right? In the first ce, theres a dummy called Lee Jeonghun thats you but if youre going to count that, its unfair for you, right? Its unfair. Then, you understand. Youve worked hard. Jiheon will tell you now. I was finally getting the answers I wanted but in an extremely annoying way. It felt like my sinister intentions were being dissected before Min Jiheon. Ill exin three things to you. Starting now. Why three? Koreans usually do things in threes. Whether I looked displeased or not, Min Jiheon lightly shook the bracelet he was holding. Now, lets start from the beginning. Do you know what this is? No idea. Just think of it as something simr to a Buddhist rosary. Anyway, this is like a medium. A medium that contains my ability. This is ridiculous Even if what he said was true, I wouldnt know anything of that sort. I felt an inexplicable urge to question Min Jiheons words, but he bravely continued his exnation despite noticing my sour expression. When I shake this, I can see the ghosts true form. Thats why I carry it around all the time. It helps me distinguish whether Im seeing a ghost or a real person. So? Im saying the ghosts true form bes clearly visible when I shake this. Having roughly finished the exnation, he flicked his finger. Now that Iveid the groundwork, lets get to the main point. Back then, I used this to banish your possession. This was the first thing I was going to tell you. Are you talking about some sort of crazy conspiracy right now? Havent you been watching dramastely? These kinds of thingse up quite a lot. Min Jiheon saw me frown, and his expression said, Ah, what should I do about this. But he soon continued with exnations. How can I exin this more simply? Right, its about the blob thats been sticking to you like glue. It may not be visible to you, but its at the level of possession. Hmm. So, it was stuck to me, almost like a possession. I thought it must be referring to the system window. Then, a thought suddenly shed across my mind. Is my possession, perhaps, created because of my umted infamy? Excuse me? When I first came to this world, there was talk about infamy points umting. It also mentioned that I had met the conditions to start the game. Infamy points? Min Jiheon frowned and then burst into fits ofughter. Not understanding why my words amused him, I watched Min Jiheonugh for a long time before he wiped away his tears. Ah, its really hrious Infamy points, huh You must be joking. Try living a little more virtuously, hyung Lets just ignore him. I began to sort out the information. If my infamy was seen as connected to this possession, was that the condition to start the game? I seemed to understand why the system window disappeared when the possession was gone. Hem, I dont really know what that blob is, but I can tell you one certain thing. What I did then wasnt meant to have you relive your trauma. Do you think Im insane? I simply detached that thing that was stuck to you. Min Jiheonwas quite taken aback. If I thought about how he behaved back then and now, as if he couldnt imagine that I would have such severe trauma, there was a high probability that he wasnt lying. You said you saw a past traffic ident. I dont know why It might have touched the trauma since its part of your core as a side effect. I bit my lip. Tapping the table with my finger, I pondered. Well, as for the second. Min Jiheon was now holding his chin with one hand as he looked at me. How did the character PD Lee Jeonghune into the world? That drama character was initially based on my life. The reason I started acting was to know the circumstances and to dig out secrets from Min Jiheon. Do you know why? Of course. Min Jiheon let go of the hand holding his chin and pressed his eyes tightly. Its the fragments of the original being that are flowing in. So, the drama and the role of Lee Jeonghun must havee out. But that thing stuck to you is desperately blocking the fragments from flowing out. When I heard him say that, I found myself involuntarily gasping in surprise. Why? Why was the system window blocking them? What is that? Why block it? Words just popped out of my head without any filter or calction. Even I couldnt stop myself. But Min Jiheon didnt care much about that question. He just tilted his head. Well? Hey, you said youd tell me anything. I really want to tell you but this isnt something others can guess. Well, thats the end of the second thing I know. Min Jiheon smiled, stroking the corners of his mouth. And then he lifted three fingers. Then the third andst one. Its a bit rted to what I just said. Why only you Why is such a thing happening Why is PD, who used to live in Seoul, reverted ten years and is now struggling to live as an idol? Its because youre lucky Min Jiheon smiled deeper. It looked a bit pitiful. Because youre loved. ? Ahh, what can you do if you love someone? You cant help but abandon everything and cling to them. Just like everyone else What was this strange thing he was saying? Min Jiheon, however, stirred his straw as if he had said everything he wanted to. He tightly closed his mouth, apparently unwilling to answer any more questions. I looked at him for a long time. Then, after wiping my face, I added, Is it normal that none of the three things you said are helpful? Thats a bit harsh. Min Jiheon had spoken at length, but it was all conjecture. I still had no idea what this was all about. I also listened to this strange nonsense until the end It was quite amazing. Min Jiheon just scratched his cheek. Well, Im also sorry, you know. But it wasnt like I waspletely without gain. My mind was upied with sorting out three pieces of information hed spilled when Min Jiheon seemed to have finished his business and stood up. Anyway, yeah. There are all sorts of things in this world. This is the most fascinating case among them. But~ you cant change, hyung. Thats absolutely impossible. Hed always tormented people with nonsense like humans are selfish, they cant change, but in the end, that was all there was to Min Jiheons view. I sighed heavily. Is that what you think? Yeah, in my own way. Id heard everything Min Jiheon had to say, so I figured it was time to speak my mind. I took a sip of my frappino, which had melted to the consistency of water, and wiped my mouth. The shooting went off without a hitch. Id heard all the nonsense (all three points of it). I wouldnt have to see much of Min Jiheon in the future Good. Shall we try it? Since the caf was rented out, there was nobody around, no CCTV, and Min Jiheon was not the type to record conversations like me. I called Min Jiheon. Jiheon. Since I always cursed at him when I called him, this was the first time Id called him in such a friendly manner, so Min Jiheons eyes widened. I nonchntly snapped my fingers. Come here. Huh? Why? Surprisingly, Min Jiheon obediently approached. He was pretty obedient at times like this. Bend your head a little. Mm. And when Min Jiheon bent his head Bang!!! Ouch!! I smacked Min Jiheons head. Bang. Bang. Bang. I had the quite satisfying illusion of an echo reverberating. Min Jiheon shouted and fell, but I was still annoyed as I continued to sip my beverage through a straw. Youre annoying, really. What, what. You pretend to know even though you dont And you, you said you know my real age. Then why are you being so cheeky? You must be livingfortably these days? I was determined to give Min Jiheon a smack when the shooting ended, and I no longer had to see him regrly. I felt so relieved. Why why did I get hit? You still dont know, Jiheon? I smiled warmly. You were nagging. Min Jiheon looked stunned as if he couldnt believe it, but my business was done after hearing everything and giving him a smack, so I waved my hand lightly. Okay, go on now. You heard everything? If not, why would I be with you? Get lost quickly. You are really, really, really nasty and the worst. You know? Do you not know? Perhaps because todays shooting was over, Min Jiheons left wrist was unting a bracelet. As I regretfully averted my gaze, Min Jiheon frowned for once and started massaging his lump. Despite that, he didnt seem to think he did anything wrong or said anything special. Sigh Min Jiheon pressed his forehead, then suddenly slumped over the table like a sloth. He just grumbled and looked over at me, grimacing. If a Min Jiheon fan had seen this, they wouldve enjoyed it like a photo shoot, but I was just annoyed. But Ill see you again next time. Im curious about the end. Its rare for me to get hit and still say this. Wait, is this Stockholm Syndrome, by any chance? I mumbled, rubbing my arm. Hey, stop being so creepy. If you keep saying that, Ill bring a carrot no, a cream cake next time. Min Jiheon grumbled to the end, and after checking the time on his phone, he stood up. I raised my middle finger toward his staggering back. Hey! Min Jiheon! What! The time we spent together was disgusting. Lets never see each other again! No way! After shouting at him, I felt a bit better. That Min Jiheon, that bastard Being with him was incredibly draining. I drummed my fingers on the table, thinking. There were three facts I could confirm, given the circumstances. First, the system window was possessing me. Second, I get hurt and experience trauma if the system window gets separated from me. Third, traces of my former self were flowing from the other world, and the system window was blocking it. These facts lead me to a conclusion. The system window was blocking contact with my original world, perhaps because No. That was an overstatement. I did not have enough evidence to prove my logic, so I recalled what Min Jiheon said. Honestly, I didnt understand thest thing he said. What can you do if you love someone? No matter how much I thought about it What a load of bull It was all nonsense. After thinking up to that point, I drank the rest of my frappino. Still, I couldnt calm down the rising anger within me. All I got from all the hardships was this. Hey. The system window was silent even after Min Jiheon left. It was a kind of protest that it wouldnt answer no matter what I asked. Hey. Still, no answer. After calling for a while, I gave up and mmed my forehead on the table. What on earth are you? It was nowhere near enough with this level of information. In the end, I had no choice but to proceed with the main scenario to uncover the truth. System window, this bastard. It has been deceiving me all along, even though it said it was for me. Despite my burning heart, my head stayed cool. Lets not rush. I had nothing up my sleeve yet. *** [Title: In the end, theres no JeongJeong couple[1] My husband and I watched it earnestly My husband pushed Min Jiheon and I fervently pushed Lee Junghoon. My husband seriously asked why I liked Lee Junghoon, do I like being bullied but What can I do about his handsome face. Its a shame. ] [Title: Wow this was thest episode of the JeongJeong couple Really Lee Junghoon eventually became a failed stock I told you he was an angel!!!!!! I told you!!!!!! >>>>What a waste, really<<<< Do you hear me!!!!!! Isnt this the number one romantic line?! Right now, Im listening to the OST and Im furious. Give back the JeongJeong couple Calm down Do I look calm? Ass up there is not me But is that line really about that?? It seems like hes just sorry as a sunbae It seems like deliberately dropping hints oh Writer Sukhui, how can you throw a character that fits my taste and do this till the end~!!!] [Title: For those who like Lee Jeonghun, know that Lee Jeonghuns real body has a simr personality to him Dont talk nonsense, theres no way an idol has such an asshole-myway-trash personality as the PD No, its true. Hes a bit more restrained these days, but the people who know him all know Hes rude and quite cute Can you say that to an idol? Its a passing sunset Because its true Theres nothing to say] [The real body ising back in October What??????? Wow, hes really working non-stop;] With the drama ending safely and maintaining a rating of 18 percent for the finale, Please Take the Camera had a bigger response than expected. At Daepaseong Entertainment, they put insane hashtags on every video of The Dawn to attract more foreign K-drama fans. Because of that, views increased significantly. With the filming done and theireback soon, Seo Hoyun uploaded one more self-produced video. However, that self-produced video was (again) weird. Mebo 1: Well, I was a little worried. If I could find a matching partner. Seobo 1: Anyone a quiet person. I guess in that sense, Seong Jiwon, no, Mebo 1 would be better. Rapper 1: Say hi~ Im Rapper 1~. [1] Lee Jeonghun (Hoyuns character) + Yu Jeonghwa (Yu Jias character) = JeongJeong
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 106 Chapter 106 [?????] [Matching?? ] [So, weve been waiting for a full live with Hoyuns return, and these kids are bringing a blind date show instead] [Theyve lost their minds. Those Dawn guys are all nuts now.] [Is there any point in adding 1 after the title? ] Everyone was really hyped about the preview, even though theyined about it. The content came from ourpanys nning team; even Seo Hoyun approved the n for the teams overall activity at lightning speed. So, the content that came out was Heart-thumping Matching Survival! That was the content. Hello! Im Rapper 1! Kang Ichae was standing in the yard of a house, his hands clenched in anticipation, a hopeful expression on his face. If Seo Hoyun had seen the flushed face of Kang Ichae filled with excitement, he would have positively evaluated Kang Ichaes acting skills on the spot. Im really looking forward to who Ill meet today. [Kang Ichae is already satisfied with this program 200% This kid really enjoys life] Q: Who do you want to meet? Rapper 1: I want to meet someone who suits my social status. As Kang Ichae kept on babbling nonsense, Kim Seonghyeon, who had just arrived, made an awkward greeting. Ah, hello. Hello~ Um. So. Im Rapper 1! Yes, Im Dancer 1. The caption that popped up read: They are still awkward with each other Uh, have you eaten yet? Yes, with someone I know. Oh Who? Already trying to keep each other in check? It wont be fun if you know now. Hmm Then a close-up of Kim Seonghyeons face, his eyes shaking. [What in the world?] [Oh my god, whats up with this caption] [Im so annoyed with this editing] When Jeong Dajun came in next, all the fans dropped their jaws in surprise. [Jawdrop] [Whats with Jeong Dajuns hair?????? What ;;; tinum blonde???] [Im going crazy it suits him so well What the heck ;;;] Im Sub Dancer 1~! Jeong Dajun bounced in happily, oblivious to the fans reactions. He almost tripped on the stairs, but Jeong Dajun rolled forward as if nothing had happened and stood up with a satisfied expression after striking a finishing pose with his arms spread out while the members rushed over in surprise. Jeong Dajun makes a cool entrance! [My heart just dropped] [Hes already got grass in his hair, this golden retriever] [Jeong Dajun makes a cool entrance! (Golden retriever thatughs with dirt on it after being told to take a shower again)] Be careful, Sub Dancer 1. Yes, yes~. After that, it was the entrance of Seo Hoyun and Seong Jiwon. They walked in together, but the difference was clear. Seong Jiwon walked in very neatly while Seo Hoyun shuffled in as if everything was bothersome. The members immediately teased them foring in together. Ooo~, did you two already pair up? We met on our way here. Ahaha. The contestants are already stirring up some action An interview cutscene was added in the middle. Everyone was full of mischief and far from serious as they talked about their ideal match. Dancer 1: My ideal match? Someone who consistently takes their vitamins when told to. (Youre not talking about child-rearing, but a match right~?) (Be quiet.) Sub Dancer 1: Anyone would do. Rapper 1: Everyones going to want me, huh? The indifferent Sub Vocal 1 and the prattling Rapper 1. Rapper 1: Ah This is tricky. Raise your hand if you want to date the pretty Ichae ~. But everyone ignored him. Rapper 1: I guess everyone is ying hard to get Theyre being cautious. [ I cant believe Kang Ichae knows the term hard to get] [No, even if he knows it, he mentioned it on air. Hes fucking crazy] Intensepetition is expected! Hello, Im Lead Vocal 1. When Seo Hoyun spoke in a nonchnt but slightly fatigued tone, Jeong Dajun excitedly waved his hand. Wow, Lee Jeonghun!!! PD-nim!!! Hes so damn handsome!! Lets stop Dajun before he gets scolded by Hoyun. Alright. While the hyung-line was trying hard to stop Jeong Dajun, Kang Ichae asked while fidgeting, Main Vocal 1 has already picked a song~! One song! Please pick~! Also, say something as Lee Jeonghun~! [Stop lying] [Hey, Seong Jiwon and Seo Hoyun came together, dont say things that wont happen] [Seo Hoyun will never do thatAh His gaze is so indifferent, its hrious] [Give back my JeongJeong couple Please dont get emotionally involved] After their quick self-introduction, the participants started talking to each other. Suddenly, the crew handed them a note. Exchange numbers, and if you match, you can form a unit and shoot a cover! Oh? [Wow, does that mean we can watch a unit cover video if the pairs match??] [Wow, wow, wow, wow, a unit?!??!!!] Then the interview cut in again. Q: Who do you want to match with? Lead Vocal 1: Someone who arranges well, someone who shares a room with me. I think I can learn from him. Rapper 1: The guy who fell earlier, the one who whined about his hair hurting when he bleached it tinum. [They suddenly got specificThey just didnt say the names, but we know who theyre talking about] [Wow, The Dawn members taking thepetition seriously is so funny Survival programs positive effect Ah] Alright! Its not fun if we decide right away. Please show us your charm and why you should form a pair. Main Vocal 1! Main Vocal 1!! Yes, Main Vocal 1? Ill sing a song! Seong Jiwon, who wanted to sing a bad, jumped up and held a single flower. He sang the trending drama OST that could be heard everywhere and handed the flower to Seo Hoyun. I keep hiding this heart that looks pitiful from you~. [Calm down, Jiwon] [If it wasnt for Hoyuns expression right now, I would have immersed myself in the song] [Hes unnecessarily sweet, well, its Seong Jiwon after all] It keeps making me stay up all night~. [But damn, whether Seong Jiwon is sweet or not, what is Hoyun doing now He seems confused If it was someone other than Seong Jiwon, he wouldve smacked him right away If it was Kang Ichae, he wouldve been sprawled out on the grass by now Ah ] Despite the hooting sounds from his surroundings, Seong Jiwon sang the song bravely. He was really persistent. The fruits of his seven years of practice were still there. Hoyun, lets do a bad duet~!! Im confident! Dont do this. [Lead Vocal 1 contemting on the sincere courtship.] The captions were the killing points. [But then! Main Dancer 1 took that flower!] Seong Jiwon blinked and asked, Seonghyun, you want to do a bad? What are you talking about? No, Seo Hoyun cant. He already sings well, and now its time for him to practice the dance he couldnt do before. Tsk! Seonghyun-hyung, we decided to do a dance cover~! Whats with changing your mind~. When did I say that? You say one thing when going in and another whening out of the bathroom!! Intensepetition! At that moment, Kang Ichae suddenly stood up. Apparently toozy to fetch a flower, he casually bent down, ripped some grass from the yard, and gentlyid it on Jeong Dajuns hand. !! A gift~. A skull CG exploded beside Jeong Dajun because of the heartfelt courtship. But Kang Ichaeughed carelessly as if he had made an irresistible proposal. Rapper 1 chose Sub Dancer 1~!! What, what, what! Lets rock. Yet again, a skull CG exploded next to Jeong Dajun. He fumbled with the grass but then threw it onto the ground. No way?! Over there, their singing and even giving flowers, but here, youre just carelessly tossing giving out some grass. I wont do it with hyung. Go away! Hyung doesnt have the desperation of a matching participant. Youre out. Hey, lets rock and roll? Being out is also rock. Thats correct but lets do it together. [Ah Are they all talking while facing the wall?] [Theyre all just saying their own hopes] [Hey, here is freaking exciting Its just a jungle] With precise timing, the screen changed, showing a scene where everyones desired pairs were intertwined. All their desired pairs are different! What will be the oue of this match? The production staff, who hadnt expected such a mess, had an emergency meeting and took special action. Shall we decide with arm wrestling? Um, what? And the winner, of course, was Kim Seonghyeon. Haha, isnt it obvious? Whats with him? His strength is. It felt different when I grabbed it. After all the members were thoroughly defeated, Kim Seonghyeon proudly selected Seo Hoyun with a satisfied smile. With the expression of amb being led to the ughter, Seo Hoyun falteringly walked over. He then plopped down next to him and asked, Did you decide on the cover song? Yes. Kim Seonghyeon beamed. Were doing Get Over. !! Get Over. The debut song of ck Call, under Joo Woosung, was notorious for its incredibly demanding choreography. Famous for sweeping and cleaning the stage with your entire body and almost changing the choreography every second Did Kim Seonghyeon go crazy? A caption was added as the camera did a close-up on the ashen-faced Seo Hoyun. Dancer 1 Lead Vocal 1 The second ce sighed deeply as soon as the first ce chose his pair. Ha then I will go with Ichae-hyung even though he is not desperate enough. Im not confident in bads. Thank you~! Rapper 1 Sub Dancer 1 Kang Ichae seemed quite satisfied to be paired with the person he wanted. Seong Jiwon was left alone. He was murmuring Bad as he stood by himself. Suddenly, the production team came up with a hidden rule. Main Vocal 1, who did not get chosen, can pick a guy to form a sub-unit! However, you cant reapply to a person who was chosen once! Everyone was taken aback by this. [What? So, there are three teams in total? One person is in two teams?] [Wow, that one person is going to die] [In the meantime, look at the expression of Seo Hoyun who has already rejected and isfortable] Wow~, awesome~. What can we do~. Seo Hoyun chuckled and watched the other members with their faces turning blue. Unaware of the tough fate ahead [Seo Hoyun, you have to dance to Get Over] Exactly. Um. Seong Jiwon, finallyughing, scanned the members. The members who didnt want to double their practice time quickly looked away While Kang Ichae was gazing at the distant mountains, Seong Jiwon grabbed him. Then, I choose Rapper 1!! Whoa? As Seong Jiwon boldly chose him, Kang Ichae, who had just been gazing at distant mountains and whistling, suddenly stopped and couldnt close his mouth. But Seong Jiwon remained determined. Ill be rapping while Ichae will be doing the bad! What?? Last hidden couple Main Vocal 1 Rapper 1 [] With that scene, the 15-minute Heart-thumping Matching Survival! ended. Thement section was filled with . [Chaotic Confused? The crazy day of The Dawn?] [Oh, the mild vor of spicy-hot is just shoved into our mouths] [Thank you for the unit, ah thank you] The Dawn was It was painful to suddenly have unit activities added to their fun concept, but at least they brought joy to the fans. [Rapper 1, who will be dying from exhaustion because he has to do rock and bad at the same time (Kang Ichae, 21) Suddenly forced to cover Get Over... Lead Vocal 1 (Seo Hoyun, 23) Guys, can someone link Joo Woosungs Get Over Here (link)] After watching Joo Woosungs Get Over fancam, the fans were shocked. [It cant be helped] And the fans gave up quickly. [Hoyun, take some kimchi fried rice and go get some tips] [] [Get Over Special That Joo Woosungs dance that he grumbled about being tough] [Wait Jiwon, what in the world are you thinking? I told you to stop rapping (cryingughing emoticon)] [Are you going for humor, Jiwon? Seems like it Last time, he said he wanted to practice rapping more seriously on V-Live Its kind of scary now] [My kid He likes new challenges My kid He believes in covering his weaknesses through practice But hes supposed to do a bad, why is he making Ichae do it?] [Hey, am I seeing this right? PD Lee Jeonghun is covering Get Over Very thankful since hes an idol himself Dont expect too much, Seo Hoyun is known for being a quick study Hes not like that anymore??;; Agree And even if hes a quick study Actually, I like it. The abovement is pure madness] A cover song for their own survival program. Thanks to editing the entire format like a thrilling blind date program, it sparked excitement among fans and also started to gain modest poprity among the public. As time passed, Seo Hoyun was Gasp Huff. What did I do wrong in my previous life?? I once again realized the greatness of the top-tier male idol, Joo Woosung. Did I sell my country in my past life? Hey. As I was crawling on the practice room floor, Kim Seonghyeon kicked me gently with his foot. Get up. Why why are you doing this to me? Is that the point? The nning team, who hadnt seen me struggle in a while, was happily doing a close-up. Kim Seonghyeon was making a face that said, You obviously have to practice, but it was clear that he was influenced by Seong Jiwon. Why why are we like this? What do you mean? Dont we usually go out and eat, barbecue, and have honest talks for self-content? Noeul fans want to see us do this. Youre doing this to appear like this, right? I red hard, but Kim Seonghyeon wasnt affected at all. While I was on the verge of fainting on the floor, he kindly showed me the video. Look, at 1 minute and 39 seconds, its not a full rotation, but actually a half rotation. Show me whats humanly possible. Joo Woosung-sunbae is indeed divine. Kim Seonghyeon was showing me a second-by-second analysis of Joo Woosungs fan cam, but to be honest, I was fed up. I barely resisted the urge to scream, Joo Woosungs dance stat is S+. The dance fiesta continued endlessly, and finally, I bid farewell to the nning team and filming staff, who were slowly nodding off. We are nning to practice more. You guys can leave first. Wow its impressive. Sleep is for when youre resting, right? Maybe. So, everyone left one by one, and Kim Seonghyeon and I continued to practice the same way. Even though its been a year and a half since our debut, practicing desperately as if we hadnt debuted yet seemed like a habit. Hmm. I was curious about Kim Seonghyeon, who was dancing without getting tired even though I was lying down without the strength to even move my fingers. He seemed to dance better than he did six months ago. Ding! [Kim Seonghyeon member, he got a lot of attention in a dance variety show! The broadcast onlysted a minute, but!] As if reading my mind, the system window disyed a message. I heard about it but Ive been out of ittely. As I quietly watched, Kim Seonghyeons stat appeared with ghost-like timing. [Checking Kim Seonghyeons stats. Just Light Personality Best (In a different meaning from the PD who lives somewhere)] This guy. Anyway, I scanned through Kim Seonghyeons stats. [Singing: B- Dance: S- Variety: D- Acting: E- ???: ??? Charm: A-] Is he insane? It was a rare sight to see S- and E- at the same time.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 107 Chapter 107 Hey, you are Truly extreme. I was already shocked with his S- in Dancing, but then received another shock with his E- in Acting. I didnt even know an E- stat existed in this world. Ding! [Hes extreme, its either-or with Kim Seonghyeon] Even the system window was teasing Kim Seonghyeon. Our Bang Bang is really bad at acting, huh? Why are you picking a fight all of a sudden? Kim Seonghyeon grumbled. This guy must be terrible at lying. Ipared my stats with his. [Singing: A0 Dancing: B+ Variety: A- Acting: B+ ???: ??? Charm: A-] Overall, they all improved, but thinking about Joo Woosungs stats I sawst time, I knew I still had a long way to go. Besides, there seems to be an invisible wall between B and S ranks. Damn. I quickly got up, thinking that it would be better to practice now than to bepared next to an S-rank. I suddenly felt energized thinking about a title like Seo Hoyun dragging down his group member floating around on YouTube. What should I do here? Thrust your hip once, reach out your hand, and rise up with a wave. Easy, right? Its like youre saying studying was the easiest thing for you. Acting is easy too. Should I show you? The moves shown by someone with an S- stat in Dancing were definitely powerful. I silently closed my mouth and memorized the moves. Alright Ill shut up Damn Daepaseong Entertainment who almost ruined this guy, I now respect you I whined for quite a while following Kim Seonghyeon, but eventually, Iy down exhausted. At this point, Kim Seonghyeon might have been a tiny bit satisfied as he plopped down beside me. It was already September, but the weather was still hot. Can you turn on the AC? Its broken. What? They should at least fix the facilities now that theyre making money, right? They fixed it, but Jeong Dajun broke it again yesterday while making a ruckus. Jeong Dajun seriously. As I was lying down and cooling off with a mini fan, Kim Seonghyeon casually spoke. But you, your dancing has improved a lot. You were cursing at me just now. I didnt curse, okay? Im just saying youve improved a lotpared to when you first started. In fact, it improved because of the pay-to-win effect. I wiped off the sweat and said, Luck. Talent? Im sure I dont have such a thing. Kim Seonghyeon frowned. That jerk sometimes he was too cold. Just as I was about to turn my head, Kim Seonghyeon began fanning me and said, I can see you practiced a lot. Youe straight to the practice room when filming ends and drill yourself, right? Thats true. Because once the acting activities were over, we would immediately make aeback, I couldnt just pretend not to know and stay still. Everyone was surprised to see me drinking red ginseng and showing up with a haggard face every night Youve improved a lot because you have been practicing hard. Kim Seonghyeon hesitated a bit after saying that. Did you manage to solve it well? I turned my eyes to look at him sneakily. Is he talking about Min Jiheon? He, who had been rolling around in the entertainment industry and suffering from the filth and ming himself for it, still had a stubborn side. For example, bluntly throwing a fastball without any intention of beating around the bush. He was a bad actor rather, he was too honest. I yawned and replied, Yes. Unlike Kim Seonghyeon, I was good at acting. I solved it well. Actually, nothing was solved, but I still said otherwise so calmly. Kim Seonghyeon ran his fingers through his hair and sighed deeply. Ugh. Is this why you learned acting? ! I was startled on the inside, but I managed to keep my expression under control. Kim Seonghyeon might not have been good at acting, but that did not mean he couldnt detect when others were putting up an act in front of them For reference, Kim Seonghyeon was not as sharp as Kang Ichae (I still wonder how he grew up), but he was still quick-witted. I sorted it out well. I said so confidently, yet Kim Seonghyeons gaze continued to pierce me. I did sort it out. For real. Really Ha, fine. Damn. I get it. I rubbed my face with both hands. It was still hot, and the lights in the dimly lit practice room were flickering. I couldnt sort it out well. Im annoyed because nothing has been resolved. Huh. No matter what I hear from him The more I ask, the more I dont understand. Its so frustrating. So? Right, that was what mattered here. I muttered, staring nkly at the ceiling. What could I do? Lets keep going. Kim Seonghyun just listened quietly. I turned slightly to look at Kim Seonghyun making a strange expression. Dont worry, it wont hurt the team. Fine. Now that youve heard everything, at least give some advice. How can I give some advice? I know nothing. If youre not going to help, why did you pointlessly ask then? There were no practical solutions to my problems. As I stared at him annoyingly, Kim Seonghyeon suddenly shoved a mini fan right in front of my face. It was set to a strong wind, so even the mini fan stung my eyes. Argh, speak up. Ah, I cant hold back. Kim Seonghyun, who had be particrly shameless, giggled when I showed my irritation. Seo Hoyun. Just like youve donest time with my problem, Ill help when I can. Well all find the way together so just tell me anytime. A hollowugh slipped out. I snatched the fan from Kim Seonghyeons hand and basked in the artificially created wind for a while. You can help with something. ! Kim Seonghyeon, who had been speaking calmly until now, immediately turned his head and asked, What is it? Do you want to change course and do a bad instead? It was a good try. Get up, lets practice. Damn. So, I continued practicing until dawn, until dark circles hung down my chin. I cursed Joo Woosung, the crazy bastard, and Kim Seonghyeon, the son of a bitch, alternately as I practiced. I should have done a bad with Seong Jiwon I should have humbly taken that flower Why wasnt there a single person in this group who just did things half-heartedly? *** Holy shit, its out! The office worker, tormented by his boss and customers all day and always had a haggard face after work, screamed while watching YouTube. The sole reason why she survived the crappy days was thanks to The Dawns content videos. Our adorable lunatics. From the beginning, when the Second Chance teaser came out, the fan vehemently denied her attraction to The Dawn. However, she eventually fell for them, grinning as she turned on YouTube. Sheposed her mind reverently and turned on the video in a rather devout fashion. Holy Episode 2 is 60 minutes. Its a treat. The fan, used to skipping through hour-long dramas because they were too long, focused on every single frame of The Dawns 60-minute video. This Episode 2 was even more explosive than Episode 1. Seo Hoyun, why cant you get this right? Did you hear what I said earlier? I do understand, teacher. You said you understand, but this is what you do? The contrast between the increasingly haggard Seo Hoyun and the ever-vibrant Kim Seonghyeon was stark. Moreover, the captions were still shamelessly sticking to the blind date program concept. [The two are getting closer day by day.] [But then, a glitch in the love line?] The captions were abor of love. Hey, stop nagging at me. If youre going to act like this, I might as well be with Seong Jiwon. What are you talking about? Dont you know Seong Jiwons nickname? Hes known as Lets Practice, Guys?? So what? Its easier there in terms of endurance Not so much with you. A moment of silence followed their heated argument. Kim Seonghyeon ran a hand through his hair in frustration while Seo Hoyun simply crossed his arms and smirked. Youre just saying all this because you dont want to do it, right? Seonghyeon instead of finding fault on the outside, how about looking at yourself? Huh? As Seo Hoyun spoke seriously, Kim Seonghyeon chuckled sarcastically. A caption then appeared beneath them. [Dancer 1 starting to feel jealous But Lead Vocal 1 doesnt seem to care much.] The caption would have caused quite a stir among the members if they had seen it. [What the heck is with these captions] [The captions are exactly like that old show, and its so annoying, even the small cut-ins are irritating] [Seo Hoyun is seriously a master at ming others Im literally crying here] The conversation could have easily escted to discord. Still, the audience, knowing how entric both Seo Hoyun and the members of The Dawn (who were 50% entric themselves) were, simplyughed it off. Thetter part of the video focused primarily on Kang Ichae and Seong Jiwon, who hadpletely taken over with theirical antics. Main Vocal 1 Im really curious. Why did you decide to start rapping? I thought rapping was a good way to show a new side of me to the Noeuls. Okay, okay~, I get that you want to cater to the Noeuls. But why am I assigned to sing bads?? Um haha, well Kang Ichae waited with a tense expression for Seong Jiwons answer. Im a bit shy to do it alone. Seong Jiwon smiled shyly while Kang Ichae grimaced as a CG skull mark popped up. [(So, he doesnt want to die alone)] [Is Seong Jiwon possiblymitted to teasing Kang Ichae? Ahh That Kang Ichae is getting roasted here] Just as the show was about to end, the fan, feeling a bit sad, refreshed the page to look at thements section when a pinnedment with links to rted videos appeared. Links to each of their cover videos. [The Dawns Lead Vocal X Dancer Get Over Cover] Huh?! It was already out. She hurriedly logged into SNS on her phone while opening the video on herptop. In the video, which was shot in a blue-lit studio, Kim Seonghyeon and Seo Hoyun stood back-to-back with their heads bowed. Suddenly, they broke into intense moves with the start of the music. Get Get Get Get over please. As expected of a song with intensive dance, a fast beat started to y from the beginning. The voice singing the song was Seo Hoyuns. Baby, Im being serious, why dont you understand why Im like this? We cant ever get over. Ahhh! Seo Hoyun!! The tone of his voice is crazy?! [Kim Seonghyeon in a white sleeveless shirt is crazy, look at those arm muscles and shoulders;; Im being kidnapped No, Kim Seonghyeon seduced me first] [Seo Hoyun in a ck t-shirt with his hair down looks innocent, its fucking paradise here] They were both wearing sporty outfits that revealed more of their bodies than expected, causing screams across the inte. But as the video progressed, the chemistry between their dance moves was even more eye-catching. [Kim Seonghyeon did you make a contract with the devil? How did your dance improve so much? Seems like he made a contract during thest variety show Right? Although the screen time felt like it was only 10 minutes, he was already amazing then] [Wooho (Our Hoyun has changed)] [Seo Hoyun I really cannot believe he was a rookie during the early stages of the Second Chance promotion Right? He was a bit overshadowed, but then his face His face-saving strategy was a huge sess, honestly, I only realized he was a newbie after watching the focus cam ten times I was only looking at his face] [Kim Seonghyeon, dance instructor for XX District ??: Hoyun, do you want to be an idol??] [Hoyun oppa, youre really the worst, youre so rude, but now you even dance well, and you wont even marry me Youre even cute when youugh, Impletely fed up with you, what do you want me to do ] Just then, as Kim Seonghyeon perfectly matched the beat and pped a few times, the lighting and outfits changed. Follow me and say, You cant get over me, You never said you disliked it, I know what you want. They were now wearing leather jackets and suits. [Hey] Everyone had gone crazy. [Theyve lost it] [Hey, Seo Hoyun is really raking in the dough!!!!!!!! (Laughing my ass off~!!)] That was a rant by an (ex) follower who, armed with a tip he got from Lee Jihyeo, couldnt follow Joo Woosung. You already know, I cant get over you, Roll with honesty, You know what I want. [Crazy bastards. ah I wasnt interested in ck Call before, but seeing Seo Hoyun sing Get Over, I feel like going crazy. These lyrics are overflowing with the arrogance typical of bigpanies Its so good when Seo Hoyun sings it.] [Just tell me your bank ount.] [A video that knows exactly what the fans want Ranked 1st by Forbes] Everyone was happily bbering. The officer worker fan was seriously watching their dance moves. Seo Hoyuns dance lines have really improved, havent they? Doing a good wave required talent, so there was still some awkwardness with Seo Hoyuns moves, but since Kim Seonghyeons dance line felt different, there was lessparison. Kim Seonghyeons dance was a typical power move. His strength control was out of this world, sharply breaking off. After about three minutes of music, the video ended with Kim Seonghyeon and Seo Hoyun panting. The office worker fan pped. Hey! Give me the fan cam, now! If there was a stage like this, it was an unwritten rule to have a face cam and a vertical fan cam. She wanted to grab the cor of the Daepaseong and shake them. Then, as if the producers knew the hearts of the fans, it was written in the additional description that came up when you clicked on the title that individual vertical fan cams for each member, along with the face cam, would be uploaded soon. Yeah, Daepaseong, darling, I trust you. Taking a moment topose herself, she yed the next video. [The Dawns Rapper Seong Jiwon X Main Vocal Kang Ichae (Somethings off) Bad When We Love cover] It was originally a co-ed duet song about love but became aughing challenge video. When. You. And. I. Are. In. Love. Love Pfft, khek. When were in love. Ah, Jiwon, please! The SNS was already filled with fansughter. [Hey Kang Ichae, why cant you hold in yourughter] [Ichae sings pretty well but he cant hold in hisughter and is snickering Is Kang Ichae a boiling kettle or something? ] [Wow Seong Jiwon is really persistent Its really scary] [G1s stato is amazing You. And. I. Nowe. Down. Baby. Im at your house. Almost Seo Hoyun level aegyo Ah ] [Kang Ichae has almost given up and is now practically crying] The more the fans loved them, the more they wanted to tease them. [Am I the only one who thinks Seong Jiwon is cool? The fact that hes trying so hard at something hes not good at is so cool Thats right. Thats exactly what Im saying. Oh, someone teach me how to not love this man When youre in love everything looks good] While not musical, the video of the two enduring till the end received a good response for itsedic value. And when Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajuns indie band cover video came out, everyones mouth dropped open. [The Dawns Rapper X Sub Dancer Rock Bad Please, a meteor will fall before I go to work tomorrow, its raining cover] She clicked, thinking it was a gag, but it was more serious than she thought. Huh? [I was ready to just start typing, but what? No.. I dont even feel like typing anymore Ichaes rap is crazy Even if Ichae raps the Heart Sutra, itll be good] [Kang Ichae is a genius Kang Ichae is a genius Kang Ichae is a genius Kang Ichae is a genius Kang Ichae is a genius There was a reason Kang Ichae wasughing earlier I wondered why he was so rxed even though he was in two units Because hes a genius] [Whoa ;; I didnt know Dajun could do this too?] [Why has our puppy be so decadent and refreshing? tinum blonde is really a masterstroke] [This is like that thing where a street rat you picked up suddenly transforms into a handsome man and sits down? Ah this is too funny. So now that rat Dajun also hears these words Its too much Please stop circling the drain~!!] Anyway, she digested the rock genre better than expected. [Is there anyone to pick up my fallen jaw] Its hard to call itplete rock, but she never thought a rock bad with a touch of cool would suit them this well. Taking a heavy blow from an unexpected pair, the office worker turned off YouTube satisfactorily. [I knew The Dawn was crazy but theyre crazier than I thought This all started from the blind date matching content? Im sometimes bbergasted] [Doesnt this seem more like pop rock than rock bad? I want to see all the kids in this concept] For real. Seo Hoyun would be perfect for this. It was regrettable, but the next song must have been somewhat decided. The exacteback date was not out yet, but rumors were that it was soon. She should be grateful that the fans were being fed high-quality content in the meantime She cleared her mind and fell asleep, dreading tomorrows work. But the next morning, a scream came out because of the sudden news of aeback. [The Dawns speedyeback their first mini album ising out] [From the title to all the included songs, all lyrics andpositions are by the members themselves] [Genre is pop rock? We want to try a new genre spotlight on The Dawns Ichaes past interview.] It was a preview of the nexteback. Aahhh!! The fan screamed, but a few hourster, seeing another article, her heart sank. [ck Call Kingseback. The return of the K-pop emperors] ck Call was also making aeback.
Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 108 Chapter 108 Me: Mr. Joo Woosung I sent a text after a long time without any context, and it didnt take long for Joo Woosungs reply toe. Joo Woosung: ; Joo Woosung: What Me: Are you messing with me? This punk. I stared at my phone, baffled, when quickly a message popped up with Joo Woosungs excuse. Joo Woosung: Ah~ You thought Id remember? Joo Woosung: I can barely remember my own schedule, let alone The Dawns I had no choice but to know. Even someone as clueless as Daepaseong would gather all sorts of information before making aeback. But of course, since I was clueless, I had no idea about ck Callseback. Surely, they knew and proceeded as scheduled since postponing the already confirmedeback was difficult, and there seemed to be no disadvantage for them at the time. Making a fuss about it seemed too petty. Furthermore, we couldnt postpone our schedule due to the schedules lined up behind us. Simply put? It means we were screwed. I was so annoyed to reply that I ended up staring at my phone without answering. Suddenly, Joo Woosung went off on a big rant. Joo Woosung: No now that I think about it, Seo Hoyun, its absurd Joo Woosung: You also did wrongst time Joo Woosung: You only contact your senior when this happens Joo Woosung: Is your friendship with Woosung a joke??? Me: I thoughtfully responded and pushed my phone aside. What are you doing? Just chatting with an ungrateful jerk Hmm? Two songs that we arranged after receiving them from overseas, and four songs that Kang Ichae worked on. The first mini-album, consisting of six songs, was extremely tough, even though we had several months of work. Even more so, Daepaseong seemed to purposefully run us ragged after renewing the contract ratio. They crammed even minor events into our spare time, from college festivals to small events. For the past few months, Ive only been sleeping for about 3-4 hours a day. Everyone in the recording studio was like a zombie, and then the manager rushed over with a drink. But the title this time is so good! Manager Drink this and go! At least my anger subsided a bit. I was eating a frappino topped with lots of whipped cream and getting a sugar rush when Seong Jiwon spoke to Kang Ichae. Can you y it again? Sure. Of course. As Kang Ichae tapped the keyboard, the music flowed out. The piercing beat poured out throughout the dark atmosphere, and Kang Ichaes voice from the guide recording was heard. Youre really amazing. Kang Ichae put on his hood and tightened the drawstring as Kim Seonghyeon offered his admiration. Ichae is shy~. Seriously, I dont wantpliments. But why did you change the track? Jeong Dajun, who put several candies in his mouth and was mumbling, asked as Seong Jiwon picked up those candy wrappers and threw them in the trash. Thats it. Weve already finished recording the track andpletely overhauled it. Ah, that Kang Ichae scratched his head after thinking a bit. Even if we cant change the title because it has been decided we can still change the track, right? I felt like we needed something more intense. Were aligning oureback with our senior, ck Call. Thats right. I had forgotten about that. The memory of ignoring the texts that Joo Woosung sent in a fit of betrayal and irritation slowly faded away. They would pick a beat thats absolutely killer so it would be a bit dull if we just went with the original. Hmm? I had been lying back on the sofa with my head tilted back, but at that, I lifted my head. Does Kang Ichae think about things like that? It seemed better to switch to apletely different genre. Its not that Im saying were going to win, but I thought trying something new would make us stand out more. So, the track is going to be rock? Thats right. Didnt you and Dajun try it? The views were rtively low but the response was the best. There were also lots ofments. Kang Ichae, who surprisingly spoke seriously, spun his chair around. Even if I went on about trying something new, we did test it to some extent to see if it would hit and produce some results. Oh~. But you never know~. You can only know after seeing the results. Kang Ichae yawned as if he was tired. I looked at Kang Ichae with slightly touched eyes. That kid, who looked like he didnt care about sess at all Youve finally realized that ratings are everything! Ding! [I can see youre having weird thoughts] Do you know how absurd it was when you suddenly said you were doing rock? Our youngest, since when do you use the word absurd? I just learned it at school yesterday~. Jeong Dajun argued with Kang Ichae as usual. Seong Jiwon, as if familiar, left the two alone and watched the rock video they had covered at the introductory meeting. Even though it looked like apletely different song since it was arranged to suit the Hybrid Rock sensibility. And then, he yed the title song we had been practicing relentlessly. It sounds good even to the tone-deaf. But I wasnt sure. This song whether its a good enough song that we could try it in any way or not. Even if we didnte in first, a song that couldfort us, saying, Ah, but this was really a masterpiece. And I knew only one person could discern that in my surroundings. Suddenly, I searched her up on my phone, looking at the splendid track record that popped up and then I got up from the sofa. I have something to do for a bit. Bring back Melona ice cream when youe. Stop eating, you rotten kid. Am I at that rotten age now? You should start preparing slowly. Leaving behind those kids chatting away, I went outside. Sitting in the still rattypany lobby, I pondered momentarily before picking up the phone. Yes? A short ringtone yed, and then a familiar voice greeted me. Whats up, lunatic. Long time no talk. Hello, Ms. Composer. What made you call? Since when did we have such formalities between us? You little shit. You never keep in touch, and now youre doing it out of the blue. How freaking annoying I could hear Lim Hyeonsu flicking her lighter on the other end of the line, probably lighting a cigarette. Her voice carried a hint of exhaustion. Have you been busytely? Im always busy. Well, our Ms. Composers work is quite popr after all. A lot of people are looking for you. Youre so busy that I feel like I cant even ask favors anymore Ahaha, did I make it too obvious? Under normal circumstances, Lim Hyeonsu would have been spewing out a mouthful of profanities, but she was quiet this time for some reason. And after a short while, she spoke in an annoyed voice, seemingly on edge. Seo Hoyun. So, what is it? Stop beating around the bush and get to the point. Shes in a bad mood today. No,e to think of it, she was pretty irritable thest time I saw her. Lim Hyeonsu was sensitive, delicate, and surprisingly easy-going. Thats why I liked her quite a bit. Ms. Composer. So, it was worth giving it a shot. Were in the middle ofposing a song for ck Call. What do you think? About what? Whenpared to Kang Ichaes song. .Youre trying topete with ck Call? Well, thats not it Lets put that aside, what about the song? After a little pause and then asking her, Lim Hyeonsu took quite a long time to answer. Well, it seemed like she was muttering some kind of curse on the other end. But for now, I just waited silently. And then her answer came back. You are really indifferent. You called to confirm that? Thats strange, Seo Hoyun. Youre usually careful about stepping on toes, not likely to get on my nerves. Lim Hyeonsu was surprisingly jealous and had a strong desire for sess and honor. Yet, she was incredible in that she was fully aware of her ugly side. As I recalled Lim Hyeonsu, who had been greatly damaged by her pride to the point of losing her mind when she heard Kang Ichaes song while making the fan song, and who eventually gave Kang Ichae meaningful feedback. I waited. Did you Fuck, you already know. Yes. I diverted my eyes and recalled the name of theposer of the song we were talking about earlier. I saw it. Crustposer names: Kim Youngseok, Blue Tiger Originally, it was Lim Hyeonsusposition, but one more person was added. The guitarist of the band from which Lim Hyeonsu had taken the song. The name of the giarizedposer. You must have had a hard time. You couldnt have anticipated the aftermath. Im getting crazy amounts of calls as it is. Can I hide it? Ha Lim Hyeonsu gave out a sigh. I knew it, but it was really fucked up to acknowledge it as a reality. That Im a despicable person that Ick talent. I realized that again seeing your member. Its started. This is what geniuses often say. Noposer without talent could be as sessful as Lim Hyeonsu. Regardless of how much they chart, regardless of how much they giarize. Lim Hyeonsu was a genius, and even if there was any controversy, they couldnt cover up all the songs she had made with filth. At least in terms of musicality. You donte to me anymore. Kang Ichae, hes a genius. Words of acknowledgment from a geniusposer about his fellow member I might have felt ecstasy if I was mean-spirited, but this was just You know that? I kept my mouth shut, stroking the back of my neck, and listened to her wordsing through the phone. Kang Ichae can y almost any instrument. That helped a lot. But being able to y an instrument and having a sense ofposition arepletely different. Kang Ichae It was slightly surprising. I knew he could y some instruments while making the fan song, but to hear that he was so good that even the picky Lim Hyeonsu would acknowledge it For now, without me saying anything and just listening, Lim Hyeonsu continued to talk. Of course, right now, his senses are not as good as mine. But while Ive been rolling in this field, even going to music school in America, and pouring in money, hes different. Yes. He makes me feel a sense of awe. As I listened to her confession of letting down her ego, Ipared the songs of Kang Ichae and Lim Hyeonsus ck Call and calcted in my head. And as expected, Lim Hyeonsu, who had predicted that I would do so,ughed. I can hear your head spinning from here, Seo Hoyun. Let me just tell you. And thenLim Hyeonsu finally admitted. Okay, Hoyun. Kang Ichaes song Just based on the song alone, it might even be better than mine. The fact that the extremely proud Lim Hyeonsu said this meant that we might win just based on musicality. After roughly finishing the calction, I spoke in a calm voice. Thank you for your answer. Haha, youre such a pain. I really dont like you. Is that so? Thats a shame. I quite liked her. Shall we have a meal together next time? Ill bring the alcohol that Ms. Composer likes. Bring Glenfiddich 30[1]. Do you have a conscience? Thats over a million won. Then, no. Ill drink alone. Lim Hyeonsu replied curtly, but in the end, sheughed at thest minute. However, her self-deprecating tone still remained. By acknowledging her own filth and turning it over, Lim Hyeonsu had paradoxically broken a new wall and taken a step further. Hoyun. Why? Why the fuck does talente from heaven. Its so fucking unfair. In the lobby, I tapped the floor with the heel of my shoe and spoke. Ourst song poster was hanging there. What could I say? That your talent surpasses that of a criminal? That you are a more sessfulposer than Kang Ichae? Lim Hyeonsu, who had already enjoyed all the glory, was worthy of respect for now knowing how to let herself go Various things came to mind, but I love it. What I wanted to say now was just one thing. Ms. Composers song. A lot. Lim Hyeonsu didnt say anything for a long time. And then I heard the sound of a lighter igniting; maybe she was trying to light a cigarette again. The bastard who used to threaten me is nowforting me. Lim Hyeonsuughed weakly. I guess I really am pathetic right now. I appreciate the gesture, Seo Hoyun. With that, Lim Hyeonsu promptly ended the call. I stared at the reflection of my bewildered face on the dark screen. Shes changed. Lim Hyeonsu had changed. I wasnt sure whether that audacious Lim Hyeonsu had changed because of Kang Ichae or because she felt threatened by my coercion. While touching the corner of my lips, I absently gazed outside. Even Lim Hyeonsu has changed. *** After a while, the teaser for The Dawn was released. [The Dawn Kill The Lights MV Teaser] The video uploaded on YouTube was 29 seconds long. As soon as I clicked, I heard an eerie humming sound and a sharp scratching sound against the wall. It drew closer and closer through a dark corridor to a stuffy room filled with stacks of documents. In the middle of the room, tied to a chair positioned at the center, was Seo Hoyun. His face was full of bruises, and his uniform, decorated with numerous medals, was dirty with blood and dust. Blink As his face slowly moved into a close-up, the old fluorescentmp flickered, and the screen dramatically darkened each time. Engulfedpletely in darkness, when the screen lit up again, dressed neatly in a uniform, Kang Ichae was seen inside a morous trainpartment, indifferently gazing outside. Blink This time, it was snowing. Seong Jiwon walked in the white snow piled up softly, slowly pulled out the gun attached to his thigh, and aimed it forward. Blink Jeong Dajun, standing in an empty white space, took steps, causing the walls to shake and crack each time. Finally, Kim Seonghyeon appeared, standing on the rooftop of a high, abandoned building. With a resolute expression, he picked up a g that was lying on the ground. The moment he waved the g high. The screen flickered once, and Seo Hoyun, who had been in the cramped room, opened his eyes and Boom!! An explosion urred, instantly enveloping the room in smoke and fiery red mes. The documents that were piled up flew in all directions, covering the camera, and the text The Dawn appeared on the ck screen. [KILL THE LIGHTS THE DAWN] That teaser was the signal of the return of the post-apocalypse. [1] Glenfiddich is an excellent Scottish single-malt whiskey. The 30 denotes its age, indicating that it has been aged in casks for 30 years before bottling. Glenfiddich 30 is a highly sought-after whiskey, costing over USD 1100 per bottle. We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 109 Chapter 109 [.? What did I just see?] [Is this the official thing? Okay, got it] [Daepaseong: Shove this into the apocalypse Noeul: Yep, Im shoving it into my mouth right now] The reaction was explosive when the MV teaser for apletely different genre than Ocean Train but simr to Second Chance was released. Everyone was saying, Hey, isnt this a scam? There was no need to be cautious. From the beginning, after Second Chance, through the series continued in Ocean Train, the fans already had some trust in Daepaseongs MV concept. [Daepaseong, you bunch of perverts who did you learn this from You really seem to like it I really like it] [Hey, guys, is it true that Jiwon got shot in the thigh? Fuck, fuck, fuck, its so hot here, is this a sauna even though its snowing here? First of all, giving a rebel position to a pure-looking guy like that is too too much Im gritting my teeth] [Isnt Kang Ichae going to explode with rage?] [Handing over the g and revolution to an otaku? Ill shed some tears first] While the Noeuls were shedding tears, Lee Jihyeon was busily pounding her keyboard as she gulped energy drinks one after another. Of course, almost like a mantra, she was mumbling profanities. She looked just like a certain PD-nim rushing to edit a scene before the deadline. [But why is Hoyun? Why is he tied to the chair? Why is he hurt? Its not that Im saying they should stop Im just curious because I like it] [Its too stimting] [Why Kim Seonghyeon/Seong Jiwon? If this is a series, wasnt he caught by Seo Hoyun during Second Chance? Why Jeong Dajun? Why is he destroying buildings? Its slightly historical that Dajun destroys everything Oh, crazy] While everyone was talking nonsense, someone posted a hypothesis along with a meme. [If you look carefully at Seo Hoyuns teaser documents, they all seem to have government seals stamped on them It says Capital Punishment What does that mean? Its execution Yes???????] [ Did Seo Hoyun start a rebellion within the government forces and get caught? ??????????] While Noeul fans were devouring the teaser frame by frame with intense concentration, the highlight medley was released. It was addictively catchy with powerful vocals. I cant lose this game, lets burn till the very end. The moment light seeps in, its the start, You cant leave this scheme. As dawn starts to break, Ill dive deep, Unhesitatingly walking towards the finish line. The fans were not surprised to see Kang Ichaes name in theposition and lyrics, but it still shocked them. [What? Wait a minute, the casting is fucking good] [The beat is crazy?????????? Did they spend money?????] [Kang Ichae,e out, and lets make out.] Though it was pop-rock, the rich and dramatic sound was reminiscent of a soundtrack from the climax of a blockbuster movie. [Ah, crazy, dont get your hopes up this time, dont expect anything. Ill be happy no matter whates out. Ah, fuck, Im so excited Please do just one thing.] [Guys Thank you for not forgetting about the apocalypse Really thankful for them wearing the military tech wear again This tender otaku is crying right now] The MV for Kill the Lights was released underneath everyones anticipation. A choir could be heard from a blindingly white screen. Kill the Lights, Kill the Lights, Kill the Lights. Laughter was intermingled as if someone was being mocked. At the same time, anotheryer of sound was added. Hoo- Ha- Hoo- Ha- Then, a choir reminiscent of breathing filled the gaps. In a single patient room where winter sunlight streamed in, Seo Hoyun, dressed in his uniform with his hair neatly pushed back, stood tall. He silently looked down at the patient lying with his back against the sun, leaning awkwardly next to the window. The camera focused on an old, wrinkled hand, and slowly, Seo Hoyun took a step away, then walked steadily towards the bed. He reached out and gently grazed the back of the hand before roughly pulling at the tangled wires of the medical equipment. Beep The regr intervals of the vital signs began to slow, then finally stopped with a long, drawn-out beep. Thud, thud, thud! The sound of heavy military boots dashing from afar could be heard. However, Seo Hoyun calmly turned his body towards the window, sat at the edge of the bed, and blocked the harsh winter sunlight that was contrary to the season. At that moment, he was suddenly pulled aside, subdued, and fell to the floor as the music started. Okay, Here we go. Sitting in a train cabin more splendid than the Ocean Train, Kang Ichae sighed deeply as he tapped the window before exiting the area. I see the timing, we once caught our breath together, Now we must go again. The rare song that began with rap was apanied by a majestic and powerful beat. As Kang Ichae walked down the train corridor, everyone took a step back respectfully, making way and saluting him. The dawn ising, understood? The lyrics, as if addressing a subordinate with a domineering tone, strangely suited Kang Ichaes sharp face and were incredibly fitting. The scene changed, and from a distant angle, Seong Jiwon, who was walking in a snowy field and catching his breath, was shown. He was frantically moving as if searching for something, looking around. I still recall, you amidst the dim light. Seong Jiwon, with his paleplexion, kept widening his blurring eyes and continually checked if the gun on his thigh was still there. When everyone pointed at you, You justughed, remember? As Seong Jiwons clear and clean high note ascended, Woosh! The high note suddenly plunged down. Kill the Lights The dance part of Kim Seonghyeon, armed with techwear and wearing a body chain, started. Ooh, Yes We can definitely kill this light, Overturn everything, change the game. Kim Seonghyeon held a walkie-talkie and licked his lips as if whispering, striding through the ruins of a building. Then, Jeong Dajun, with tinum-blond hair, was lying on a snow-covered mountain. With a face dirtied with ck ash contrasting the blindingly white background, he struggled to stand up. I cant lose this game, lets burn till the very end. The moment light seeps in, its the start. Then, Seo Hoyun, trapped in a cluttered room full of documents, as shown in the teaser, appeared with a smirk. You cant leave this scheme. As dawn starts to break, Ill dive deep, Unhesitatingly walking towards the finish line. Seo Hoyun was suddenly besieged by several people. An instrumental flowed out as he was dragged away and boarded into a transport vehicle. At the climax part, Kim Seonghyeon sat trembling in the ruins, connecting the wires of the bomb in a hurry. My trembling fingertips turn blue, How much do you know? Calcte. Still in the middle of a snowy field, Seong Jiwon brushed back his constantly falling hair. His hot breath met the cold air, producing white smoke. I know this game is against me, Yet I must go on until the end. On the other hand, Seo Hoyun leaned his head on the window of the transport vehicle rattling on the rough road, receiving the dim moonlight. To you, it might have happened several times, but for me, its just once. A stark white space appeared as Seo Hoyun closed his eyes as if tired. Jeong Dajun was standing right in the middle of it. Hold my hand, now you know, the dawn ising And at that moment, the beat dropped sharply. And now, it turns to The Dawn! Soon, the transport vehicle shook, and an explosion was heard. Kwaaang! From the sports car that hit the side of the transport vehicle, Kang Ichae, with red hair, gracefully walked out. He then opened the door of the vehicle. Seeing Seo Hoyun frowning irritably inside, Kang Ichae shed an embarrassed smile. The chorus part returned, and the rich harmony started. I cant lose this game, lets burn till the very end. The moment light seeps in, its the start. Seong Jiwon, trembling, not sure if from cold or fear, kept his eyes moist and walked forward. On another screen, Kim Seonghyeon, who had secured a spot on the buildings exterior wall, hesitated momentarily after receiving a radio call. He eventually hit the remote. At the same time, Kwaaang! You cant leave this scheme. As dawn starts to break, Ill dive deep, Unhesitatingly walking towards the finish line. With the explosion, the borately decorated banner shook. Seo Hoyun and Kang Ichae walked forward, stepping on the blood-like red carpet. In the long corridor where ck mannequins in military uniformsy, frames lined up. And I say it again Kill the Lights! King of Spades, King of Hearts Large trump cards were torn and lined up like paintings, and rough sentences were written in red paint. We cant lose this game I have already bet everything Seo Hoyun walked slowly, removed one of his gloves, and ran his finger across the frames. Kang Ichae, who had walked ahead, first reached the throne at the end of the hallway. Looking at the mannequin draped over the chair in a pitiful state he chuckled. Overturn everything, change the game, Kill this Light The faces of Kim Seonghyeon washing his face and Seong Jiwon starting to move with a firm resolution ovepped. And finally, it seemed Seong Jiwon found someone as he gritted his teeth. Soon, he pulled out the gun slung over his thigh and pointed the muzzle at that someone. We cant leave this Scheme. As Kang Ichae knocked that mannequin down with his foot, it fell pitifully below. Seo Hoyun walked as if it were natural and sat on that throne. Behind Seo Hoyun and Kang Ichae, thest remaining painting was illuminated. It was the most brutal and filthiest of them all. Ah, you are at its end. Kim Seonghyeon stood up and picked up the fallen g from the rooftop. As he raised his arm high, holding the g, it fluttered against the backdrop of the painting. The Joker, the Trump Card. A card denoting Jeong Dajun. Arge, ominous red message was etched on the painting. A word signifying the destroyer. Seong Jiwons lips were still quivering in the snowyndscape, his gaze fixated nkly on the horizon. He was still holding the gun, aimed at Jeong Dajuns forehead. As Dajun, his attire reversed at multiple ces with mere rags, licked his lips, he muttered Lets go all the way till the end Bang! The echo of a gunshot filled the air as the MV screen turned pitch ck, and a voice, with the hint of augh, sang out. Kill the Lights. Thats how the slightly long, 5-minute and 21-second-long MV ended. [Holy. shit] At the same time, the online buzz about The Dawn exploded. We invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand our readers'' experiences and preferences, thereby helping us enhance your journey with our website. 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! Chapter 110 Chapter 110 [Okay, so lets summarize this. Ah, fuck, Im getting excited. No, so lets calm down again and summarize.] Noeuls eagerly gobbled up the apocalyptic setting that Daepaseong spoon-fed them with a giant spoon. The fuss was partly due to Kang Ichaes trendy yet uniquely well-crafted beats and melodies, but everyone was too busy interpreting the music video. [Alright, Seo Hoyun is with the government forces, okay~ But at the beginning, he kills the old man in the hospital room, okay~ Seems like a high-ranking person, so Seo Hoyun gets arrested for rebellion, okay okay~ shit, thats all I know, someone else please exin more Ah, Im really going crazy.] [So Kang Ichae is the INHERITOR, right Was he a rebel or a government soldier, or an inheritor?? I mean, during Second Chance, he was a rebel but joined Seo Hoyuns side (government forces) too easily, I thought. I thought he was a spy, never imagined him as the Inheritor !!] [An inheritor but in the end, he puts Seo Hoyun on the throne? Thats crazy, and whats with the sports car and his dyed red hair, this punk Ichae guy.] [Thest RAVAGER, a destroyer, was the Joker, right? Even during Second Chance, Jeong Dajun was said to be the Joker So was Jeong Dajun the destroyer??] [Ah, Jeong Dajun kept it so hidden during Second Chance and Ocean Train damn bringing the youngest as the destroyer, these crazy bastards at Daepaseong.] Despite the flood of clues, interpretations werent easy, and amidst the buzzing discussions, a video uploaded on YouTube gained immense poprity among the Noeuls. It was a clean summary of the Kill the Lights music video clues by the famous K-POP MV interpretation channel known for its robotic narration. [Thistest single album Kill the Lights by The Dawn marks the conclusion of the apocalyptic trilogy produced by Daepaseong so far.] The YouTube video, starting with a simple album description, went on to organize the previous storylines, given that Kill the Lights was the final part of a series, beginning with the Second Chance MV. [Its well-known that in Second Chance, members Seo Hoyun and Kang Ichae, along with Seong Jiwon, Kim Seonghyeon, and Jeong Dajun, were set up in an opposing structure. Amidst this, Seo Hoyun capturing the rebels after figuring out the characteristics of all the members, set the hearts of music video enthusiasts on fire.] [But wait a minute!!] The video rewinds quickly, and a scene from the Kill the Lights music video appears. [In this album, Seo Hoyun chooses rebellion by killing a high-ranking official of the government forces. He doesnt even run away but sits listlessly, as if waiting for someone. Eventually, Seo Hoyun is captured and locked in a cell, waiting for his execution (Capital Punishment).] That much was known to all Noeuls. That Kang Ichae, thought to be a rebel, was actually a high-ranking official of the government forces, and even his deliberate assistance to Seo Hoyun. However, the twist happens afterward. [Why is Seong Jiwon walking freely somewhere, despite being captured by Seo Hoyun? Why is Kim Seonghyeon causing an explosion in an abandoned building? Heres where my deductiones in. It seems like Seo Hoyun persuaded them. Moreover, Seo Hoyun didnt choose the rebellion after some incident post-Second Chance. Heres the evidence: (Ocean Train Seo Hoyuns subconscious phrase Eventually, youre meant toe my way) (Yes, We can definitely kill this light, Overturn everything, change the game.) As the lyrics suggest, Seo Hoyun was nning to change the entire game from the beginning.] The video then closes up on Seo Hoyun, helped by Kang Ichae,ing out after ramming a sports car into a transport vehicle. [Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon were persuaded by him and were getting ready. Seong Jiwon runs out to find someone, and Kim Seonghyeon seems to be preparing to overthrow the pce, setting up explosives. And when everything explodes, Seo Hoyun and Kang Ichae leisurely walk through the chaos of the pce corridors. Its the sess of the rebellion. Kill the Lights signifies killing the artificial light of the government forces and heralding the light of a new dawn.] Seo Hoyun walking on a red carpet appeared. [But even after the sessful rebellion, Seo Hoyun seemed unfazed, as if the rebellion was just a means to an end. Here, he slowly brushes past the paintings of trump cards representing each member. And in the end, our regressor Seong Jiwon finally finds someone. The Dawns youngest, the Joker Jeong Dajun.] A scene of Seong Jiwon, breathing shakily and raising a gun, was captured and appeared on the screen. [Wait a minute, why is Seong Jiwon shooting at Jeong Dajun? No, beep-beep, Seong Jiwon really cherishes Jeong Dajun, right?? Maybe we took this post-apocalyptic setting for granted. Why is The Dawns world post-apocalyptic in the first ce? Who destroyed this world before? The cause of all this, thats right.] A painting of the Joker, overturned in paint, shines above Seo Hoyuns head. [RAVAGER, the destroyer of this world, Jeong Dajun.] Jeong Dajun is reflected in Seong Jiwons wavering eyes, and at the moment Jeong Dajuns lips quiver, a gunshot resonates. [Including Seong Jiwon, all the members have captured Jeong Dajun, the reason for the worlds downfall. The final shot is fired, but since it doesnt show Jeong Dajun falling, its unclear if he really died.] With all the clues organized, the music video interpretation YouTuber let out a deep sigh. [This Theres a rumor that its not a trilogy but a pentalogy. Whether this is the end or theres more toe, well have to wait and see. Whether Seong Jiwon really killed Jeong Dajun, why Kang Ichae helped Seo Hoyun, and what exactly is Seo Hoyun thinking after the sessful rebellion. Well, anyway, the conclusion is?] The YouTuber deliberately let out an artificialugh. [Daepaseong really did a great job this time.] The video ended with a request to subscribe and like. The link to the video went viral on Twitter, receiving a tremendous number of re-tweets among fans. [Ah fuck.] [I cant help but swear, Ive been mumbling like a subway lunatic since yesterday] [Daepaseong baby, you know I love you, right? Special I was cursing until the day before yesterday] Eventually, they even praised Daepaseong. [Guys, Daepaseong is really smart. They bring fresh and cool songs in summer, and dark, spicy concepts in winter. The Dawn is like the dawn dividing night and morning shit shit shit shit ah ah ah shit!!!!!!!! Ah screaming in the dawn] [In the summer, Daepaseong goes for poprity while sneakily adding apocalyptic elements (morning) and in the winter (night) just says yeah, Ill kill it while grabbing the otakus by their hair Yeah, Ill kill it] Although Noeuls overwhelmingly praised it, there were naturally some negative opinions due to the strong concept. [So what the hell are they talking about, I cant watch till the end, its cringy] [Wow, pretending to be critics and rambling, so pathetic] Endless criticisms came in. The excited Noeuls typing on their keyboards wanted to bash the heads of those making suchments. [Ah a godly song with a godly concept, the jealousy is real~~~ Jealous, you bastards~~~] [Sorry guys~~ Im already living a godly life~~ Thats not a godly life Damn, listen to this] Noeuls tried to smoothly gloss over things in a good-natured manner. Just when fans were getting fed up with the endless and tiring back-and-forth, The Dawns official ount uploaded a ton of behind-the-scenes photos from the Kill the Lights shoot. And there were a lot of them. [?????] [Ah, only the top is in costume, and theyre just wearing ck shorts underneath, and those are three-striped slippers So cute ah so cute ah so cute] Lee Jihyeon, anticipating otaku concepts while also expecting criticisms, had told Seo Hoyun to crazily take behind-the-scenes photos. All of this was preparation for this moment. [Ah, were the kids hot when they were shooting ah all wrapped up and holding mini fans, so so so cute, my softies ] [The kids faces are always at peak season, a bit overwhelming, as expected, idols are all about the face] Selling their minds to jabber and then happily scooping up what The Dawns official ount generously fed, the Noeuls left Twitter contentedly. [When Noeuls are feeling down The Dawn does its special skill uploading behind-the-scenes photos.] And so, amidst the festive atmosphere, their music show activities began. *** Ah. As I was walking to the waiting room, I saw Joo Woosung, who I hadnt seen in a while, looking at me and awkwardly smiling. Behind him, the members of ck Call were visible. Last time he was annoyingly sensitive, but now he seems a bit more stable. Maybe the Californian sunshine did him good. Are you less upset now? I wasnt upset. Oh! Its The Dawn! At that moment, other ck Call members, more excited than Joo Woosung, greeted us. Particrly, ck Calls lead dancer yfully tapped Kim Seonghyeons shoulder and started a friendly conversation. I thought we might see you here. The timing worked out. Hyung, hello. Seonghyeon~! As it was, Kim Seonghyeon really liked Joo Woosung. But seeing him chumming up with another ck Call member, I observed the situation with a slightly disconcerted expression. Then, a system window popped up. Ding! [They got close when they went on a dance variety show together.] So thats why hes all hyung this and that I wish he was like that with me, then the benefits would have doubled. Kim Seonghyeon, grumbling about being in the wrong line, turned his head and his eyes met Joo Woosungs. Dont look at me like that, its scary. Not that it was Joo Woosungs fault, but seeing his face again made me a bit irritated. Especially since its clear we wont win first ce this time. Sigh Whether it was Kang Ichae whoposed the song, or Lee Jihyeon who nned it We all put our all into it. Not that ck Call or Lim Hyeonsu didnt, but I thought we could at least aim for a double crown with a decent cable broadcast and an easy win But because of those ck Call guys, our first ce in music shows slipped away. Joo Woosung awkwardly smiled. Just even it out. Im a bit sorry, but there will be plenty of opportunities for The Dawn in the future. What? Why? No, its just that today your pretentiousness is a bit too much. Joo Woosung frowned, sighed heavily, then brushed his hair back and looked at me. Seems like he decided to adopt the respectable senior concept for today. By the way, hyung, I really liked your Get Over cover. What do you want me to say? I wanted to respond like that, but I held back because of Kim Seonghyeon, who was getting along well with the ck Call lead dancer and had turned his head this way after hearing the conversation. I managed to give a rather junior-like response. Was it okay? Yeah. Made me curious. How did you improve so much in such a short time? If youre curious, give us first ce. Haha, can you even ept it if I give it? I clicked my tongue and folded my arms, but Joo Woosungughed in a good mood. He seemed a bit nervous, and somehow relieved, so I didnt feel like picking a fight. Watch our performanceter. Yes. Hmm. Joo Woosung was less sensitive than before but today was rather strange As I watched him pass by, I quietly spoke to the system window. Joo Woosungs stuff. [At yourmand.] [Joo Woosung, our cute and kind pushover. Please treat him well. Singing: A+ Dance: EX- Variety: A0 Acting: C ??? : ??? Charm: S+] ?! 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! Chapter 111 Chapter 111 Whats this? EX Rank? As I was awestruck by the unfamiliar ranking, I overheard Kim Seonghyeon chatting with Jeong Dajun. But why didnt Senior Joo Woosung appear on any dance variety shows? Hes the main dancer. Well, from what I heard He wanted to learn more about dancing and went to the U.S. He said it was for rest despite thepany trying to stop him. [Me: Where are you?] [Joo Woosung: Cali] I pped my forehead as I remembered the text I had exchanged with him. [1] Joo Woosung He mustve been bursting with pride about this. So thats why he was out of sight for months. Theres a famous dance studio in California. I heard he worked really hard there. Can you upgrade your dance stats to EX just byying low for a few months?? Joo Woosung honestly made me jealous. I was working my bones to the ground, while he became an EX rank just by taking a trip to California. Lifes bnce patch seemed off. Did he save a country in his past life? It went beyond talent, and I wondered if Joo Woosung was receiving some kind of item luck. Moreover, he confidently told me to watch the stage. Indeed, there was a reason. As soon as we returned to the waiting room, ck Calls stage started on the television for monitoring. Even on the small, low-quality TV in the waiting room, Joo Woosung was incredibly amazing. You cant deny, cracks appear in the smallest crevices, Im going to change everything about you. Joo Woosung, as expected, was an excellent performer with a singing stat of A+ and a dance stat of EX-. He knew exactly when to be strong or gentle while catching the camera. Dont run away, Im here beside you, If you reel, you know why No, it wasnt about controlling strength and softness. He was simply born to be on the stage. Joo Woosung threw his hand up as if he was throwing a ball in the center of the stage, then raised one corner of his lip. Its ck Call. Wow Hopelessness To think he has been carelessly practicing and dating with that talent until now I wanted to grab Joo Woosung by the cor and shake him, feeling regretful about the time he wasted. Hes crazy, hes so good Even those who knew nothing about dancing could tell he was insane. I wondered how he looked in the eyes of Jeong Dajun and Kim Seonghyeon. Even the usually noisy Jeong Dajun was absorbed into the screen with his mouth shut. Even through the small screen, the song was explosive. I couldnt even imagine the shock the fans must have felt on the spot The more I watched the performance, the more I lost my spirit. Where did my adorable No.1 go? And wasnt it just Joo Woosung? As the stage progressed, I began to feel a deep sense of betrayal towards another person as well. Is this really Lim Hyeonsus?!?! To him, Cheongbeom. You pumped the beat full of money and made it this crazy? Kang Ichae is better? Theres no need toe to me now? This was nothing but deception, check, and exploitation. Hoyun, why are you like that? Phew, just pissed off for a moment As I ground my teeth in anger, Seong Jiwonforted me by patting my back. Both Lim Hyeonsu and Joo Woosung There was no need to worry orfort them. Right, who should I be worried about in this situation? I pledged not to worry about others from now on. I should be worried about myself. After all, Im living alone in this harsh world. This annoyed feeling continued until the award for the No.1 song came. Congrattions! The No.1 is ck Call! Boom, the fireworks exploded. Considering how well the song and concept had been received, the Noeul members who had anticipated this tried hard to manage their expressions. Even though I couldntpete with ck Call, I (barely) smiled at the Noeul members and greeted the other singers around me. As Joo Woosung was next to me, I bowed to him too but it seemed odd. In one hand, Joo Woosung held arge trophy, wearing an odd expression as he looked at his fans, who he must have seen so many times. Congrattions. Ah. Upon hearing my words, Joo Woosung seemed toe to his senses, blinking his eyes in surprise. Then he smiled. As if it was his first time winning No.1, this Joo Woosung of ck Call acted unusually. Thank you. Joo Woosung lightly patted my shoulder and shifted his gaze to other idols greeting him. Whats this? Normally, Joo Woosung was a bit of a pushover, but now, as a top idol, he took care of his image in front of the camera, so I couldnt see his earlier expression again. I nced at him and turned away. It wasnt my business. Good work everyone! The Dawn members, while cracking their necks, and the other groups quickly left for ck Calls encore stage. You worked hard. We have a music show scheduled tomorrow too, so lets rest a bit today. No! Suddenly, Jeong Dajun, who had been lost in thought, raised his head. Lets practice. Huh? At Jeong Dajuns bombshell, everyone stopped in surprise and turned to look at him. Dajun, no. You only slept three hours yesterday. I dont want to, but I still want to do a little more Jeong Dajun uttered those words as he stubbornly bit his lower lip. Kim Seonghyeon, arms crossed, seemed to be debating whether he should be proud of Dajun or dissuade him from his stubbornness. Just then, Kang Ichae intervened. Really? ! Your stomach hurts, doesnt it? What? Even Seong Jiwon, the practice machine, widened his eyes in surprise and looked back and forth at the two of them. Maybe it was the kimbap we ate today Hyung, isnt that too much? Ahaha, its fascinating because you two are like this. Kekeke. If Kim Seonghyeon and Seong Jiwon were people who had always only looked at idols, living as if their lives depended on them, then Jeong Dajun was the one trying to follow them, grumbling all the while, and only Kang Ichae seemed to be the odd one out in the group. Because he always seemed to be taking the idol life as a joke. Seeing everyone elses somewhat shocked expressions, Kang Ichae gave a sheepish smile. Why are you looking at me like that? Im a human too~. It hurts when something is snatched away right in front of your nose. So Kang Ichae is really shocked this time. So Ichae can also feel jealousy Life is no fun if youre perfect~. Wait, why is everyone ignoring me? Kang Ichae shrugged his shoulders and put his arm around Jeong Dajuns neck and led the way. Despite having musical talent, they hadnt achieved first ce, and their faces were all filled with the word practice. Well, whatever theyre doing is fine. Is it possible just by practicing? Ding! [Quest Arrives: Use your wits to make the impossible, possible! During the activity period, im the number 1 spot in the music broadcast. Reward: 3,000 points Failure: Massive drop in singing stats (A0 C0)] I couldnt help but curse. After clicking my tongue in annoyance, although I really didnt want to, I sent a message to PD Kim Heeyeon and stuffed the phone in my pocket. Lets have an emergency meeting. Huh? Jeong Dajun turned his head as if to ask what that meant. I was still grinding my teeth after remembering the shocking ck Call performance and the graceless Joo Woosung and Lim Hyeonsu. We have toe in first. Excuse me?? *** A chilly evening. Everyone was serious except for Jeong Dajun, who was grumbling about some medicine he had received. I will start the first emergency meeting of The Dawn. I knocked on the ckboard. Kim Seonghyeon raised his hand as if he had something to say. Kim Seonghyeon will speak. Yes, go ahead. What exactly is this emergency meeting about? Its an emergency meeting to n how we can achieve first ce during our mini album activities. . Kim Seonghyeon squinted slightly. His expression said, Even if we have a meeting, will things go our way? As if practicing would solve everything. I too, would have preferred to solve this within my limitations, however, for The Dawns No. 1 spot, I couldnt do it alone. What do you think was the reason we couldnt achieve the first ce this time? It was because of the Cute-Pretty-Gorgeous Kang Ichae~! I didnt hear you right. Just Ichae. Kang Ichae waved his half-raised hand. The timing of oureback was awful~. We didnt know ck Call-seniors wouldpletely ovep with us. Right. It was even difficult to dy theeback. There were schedules booked in advance. Everyone groaned. In the end, it was agreed that we should try as much as possible not to ovep with ck Call. Hoyun, can we extend our activity period a bit more? We can adjust it but we have schedules after this. If we extend our activities by one week, there would be a period where we wouldnt ovep with ck Call. Kim SeonghyeonEven if we extend our activities by one week, can we take the first ce? ck Call-seniors gets to be No. 1 even without appearing on music broadcasts. Whats the all-time highest record of ck Call-seniors? Im not sure about the all-time record, but during theirst activity, they secured 13 wins. They swept all the top spots on the music shows, and even when they stopped appearing, they still remained No. 1 13 wins?? ck Call did have a rtively long promotion period, so they swept everything. Sometimes I forgot that Joo Woosung was such a remarkable guy because he acted so foolishly. The mood quickly turned sour. Well, its worth a shot. When will the ck Call-seniors finish their music show promotions? Is it until next week? Uh, thats thest time. Should we adjust it and do it for one more week? Itll cost more, but its not a bad choice. Except for one thing. Yeonhwa is making aeback after that. Ah! Yeonhwa was a group that was a candidate in the Shining Star Season 1, but they were quite high-ranking and eventually cancelled their appearance. They are now active in Japan, so they were absent. They didnt gain as much recognition as expected. Hmm, overseas. This is. Everyone was lost in thought. Kang Ichae, sitting on the sofa, was shaking his body from side to side and rolling his eyes when his gazended on Kim Seonghyeon. Seonghyeon-hyung, want to show off your abs? Do you think it will change something if I do? Uhmuhmuh, it would make a huge difference~. You show yours too, then. Just then, my phone rang. It was PD Kim Heeyeon from Shining Star. Shining Star PD Kim Heeyeon: Oh right Shining Star PD Kim Heeyeon: How did you know? About the voting system changing? Living an honest life pays off. What nonsense are you bbering now? Lets do one more week. We should at least secure first ce since weve made aeback, right? [1] From Episode 97 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! Chapter 112 Chapter 112 Hey, hey!! Let me use your phone! Again? No way. Come on, blood is thicker than water. Be useful for once. I chased my brother all the way to his room, nagging him along the way. Just looking at his face irritated me, but there was nothing I wouldnt do for The Dawn. Back during Shining Star, I even distributed flyers and candy in front of the academy, begging people to vote and all that stuff! Of course, I got caught and was punished to some extent, but it ultimately wasnt a bad thing. Fine, I get it. Ill buy you chicken. Take it. That bastard Muttering curses, I grabbed the phone. Last time, I had to bribe him with bread just to send a message. Looking at the sent messages made my blood boil again, but I calmed myself down for the uing appearance of The Dawn. I had to receive them with a reverent heart. Theyreing on!! I began watching the music show alone in the living room, my heart pounding. It wasnt one of the three major terrestrial broadcasters, but it was theirst music show performance. Meaning, today was thest chance for Kill the Lights to win first ce. Moreover, only artists performing on the day could be nominated, which was somewhat better. This songposed by Kang Ichae had killer beats. Just watching the intro with each members face was moving in itself. [Please, please, please, The Dawn fans, just vote this once, but its only Noeuls who are voting ] [Theres a global fan vote starting this time, not sure how itll affect things] [Its surreal that ck Call is not on music shows this week aftering back just 2 weeks ago? Do your job.] Ah, seriously. I was upset after seeing a post about ck Call, even though I had set those types of alerts on mute on Twitter. ck Call has already won first ce many times! On the contrary, The Dawn hasnt won first ce yet, despite releasing such a godly song. The hair, makeup, and styling formed a perfect trinity, and the title track was insane. How could they not win first ce just because they ovepped with a famous group? I admit ck Calls song this time was good, but The Dawns track was no less. This time! They brought such! An amazing song that concluded the Apocalypse Trilogy! They couldnt im first ce because they were caught up in the arbitrary actions of an insensitive majorbel?? So annoying, really ck Call, be a bit considerate. It was aint close to a tantrum filled with 90% envy, and though I knew arguing about it was pointless, I couldnt help feeling grumpy. My dog, sitting beside me, just rolled its eyes and nced at me. I vigorously patted its head and took a deep breath before turning back to the TV. A faint light, like the dawns, enveloped Seong Jiwon on stage. Kill the Lights Kill the Lights Kill the Lights Kim Seonghyeon! Seong Jiwon! Seo Hoyun! Kang Ichae! Jeong Dajun! Eternal dawn, The Dawn! Why the hell are you like this?! As I shouted the cheer in sync with the music, a disgusted voice came from the other side. I didnt care at all. If he wants chicken, he should just keep quiet. [Jeong Dajuns tinum hair, ah, you were just born with tinum hair] [Seong Jiwons face is so heavenly I didnt even notice the fancy essories] [Seo Hoyun, why do you get better with time. never mind, I wont say it, I might get caught] But then, as the song really started, I identally dropped my phone. I still recall, you amidst the dim light. When everyone pointed at you, You justughed, remember? Wow, what the hell. I could hear their breaths. Is this live? Usually, even a small AR isid down for songs with intense dance. Then, the high notes are either lip-synced or sung fully, but idols need to breathe, right? [Are they crazy????] [This stimtes the peripheral nerves of a K-pop granny] [Please vote please vote] But these people, they were live even while running around on stage. Involuntarily, their heavy breaths were transmitted through the mic. Ooh, Yes, We can definitely kill this light, Overturn everything, change the game. What, whats this? [ Whats up with this weeks stage?] [Why does it feel better thanst week?? I thought it was better than Ocean Train, but how can it be better thanst weeks? The choreography is sharp Perfect jumps andndings] [Theyre going to break their bodies;;;] It seemed it wasnt just The Dawns fans who felt this way, as sporadic praises from other fans started to appear on social media. You cant leave this scheme. As dawn starts to break, Ill dive deep, Unhesitatingly walking towards the finish line. This wasposed by Kang Ichae A fan who became one because of Kang Ichae watched mesmerized, feeling proud, as he waved his hand as if conducting an orchestra. Kill the Lights! Simultaneously, the stage lights went out with a bang, and a spotlight shone on Kim Seonghyeon in the darkness. Kim Seonghyeon bit his lip slightly, looking down. Kim Seonghyeon, that crazy guy. The only criticism Kim Seonghyeon had received was about his facial expressions. But his trembling hands while setting up the explosives in the music video and that expression just now, unwittingly squeezed the fans heart. The lights brightened a bit more, revealing Seo Hoyun appearing behind Seong Jiwon. To you, it might have happened several times, but for me, its just once. Uwaaah! As Seo Hoyuns face got a close-up, a flood of emotions overwhelmed me. The faces of the idols, the lightingthe stage were perfect. I could already envision the burningments on YouTube when the video would be uploaded. Idols are all about the face Hold my hand, now you know, the dawn ising Moved, I clutched my heart as Kang Ichae smiled and reached out his hand to Jeong Dajun. And now, it turns to The Dawn! It was a choreography change. Jeong Dajun grabbed his hand, jumped up, and then, with a husky voice, performed live. I cant lose this game, Lets burn till the very end. Below that, the vocal line came in. Seo Hoyun leaned forward and screamed out a high note, a progression not seen in the previous performance. The moment light seeps in, its the start. !! I tried to capture everything with my eyes and ears, speechless. Below the high notes, Kim Seonghyeon filled the sound with his low voice. We cant lose this game I have already bet everything. Feeling mncholic, realizing this was the end, my nose tingled. It was theirst performance on the show, and yet we couldnt give them even one first ce If the me from a few years ago saw this, Id haveughed at the over-investment, but my heart genuinely ached. They perform so well, damn it But then, Kang Ichae slowly walked to the front of the stage. I forgot all about the wistful feelings, my soul practically leaving my body. Ah, you are at its end, Lets go all the way till the end. Ichae-yaaa!! Tears finally trickled down. As all members moved to their ending positions, the camera close-upped on Seo Hoyuns profile, looking off into the distance. Seo Hoyun took a deep breath, then slightly moved his lips. Kill the Lights. Then, the logo of The Dawn appeared, and the faces of the panting members shed one after another. The stage for Yeonhwa followed right after. But the fan had already copsed on the floor, nearly sobbing. [They really are genius idols They know how fans are feeling, and changed the stage for thisst performance] [I will love you to death] She wasnt the only one crying. After thest performance, The Dawn and Yeolhwa were announced as the nominees for first ce. ck Call, not performing that day, was not eligible. Yeonhwa was popr, too Their name recognition was way higher than The Dawns before Shining Star. I tried tofort myself, saying I would ept any result and that it was the height of fan maturity, but my irritation didnt subside easily. Streaming, album sales, video views, live text voting, global voting the scores were dizzyingly tallied. My eyes, initially watching without much expectation, widened, and my mouth dropped open. The Dawns Global Vote 1402 points! Whats up with the global vote? Eugh? Moreover, the text voting had increased a lot more thanst time. I was still trying toprehend when the fanfare snapped me back to reality. Congrattions, The Dawn! Uaaaah! Uaaah!!!!! The Dawn won first ce! I screamed and wailed as the surprised faces of The Dawn members shed on the screen. Seo Hoyun,ughing, pushed Kim Seonghyeon forward, who, still in shock, epted the trophy and nervously but carefully gave his speech. T-thank you. I never imagined receiving this Its even more meaningful as its ourst show. Our 2-meter tall water dumpling always so tearful. Thank you always, Noeuls. With those words, the beat started ying. Kim Seonghyeon didnt show tears until the end, but his trembling voice overflowed with emotion. Thank you! Thank you, Noeuls~. Apparently, they hadnt expected to win first ce, as they hadnt prepared any promises, so they just freely danced and moved around during the live. The members took care to sing live, preventing any usations of using AR or MR. Im happy, but how how did we win first ce? After the show, I hurriedly checked SNS, finding not just gushing posts but also analyses. [Wow, this is crazy, The Dawn was already popr overseas I love it, now who can call The Dawn underrated, theyre on the rise is beaten, incredible;; The Dawns poprity really increased Yeah, now we can stop hearing about their empty house victories Im so happy!!!!!] [I just heard from a local Seems like their Shining Star and Please Take the Camera getting released on Netflix in Japan made a big difference Apparently, Kill the Lights (illegal) merchandise is all over the Korean town there] Huh, so thats how it is~. Although I was happy about the first ce, I couldnt quite understand how it happened, but after reading through the threaded posts carefully, I nodded in understanding. Until thest promotion, The Dawn had a simr level of recognition as Yeonhwa, so I thought it would be tough, but the Twitter post analyzed that The Dawn had captured not only domestic but also international fans with its rich content and distinct worldview. The music show had significantly increased the weight of the global vote, considering the worldwide poprity of K-pop, and the airing of Shining Star on Netflix Japan also seemed to have contributed to the voting. Additionally, many people abroad have been getting into K-pop through YouTube recently, and perhaps the Kill the Lights music video, praised for being movie-like, gained a bit of traction among international YouTubers doing reaction videos. [Daepaseong is doing their job these days No misconceptions please Just high on sess and bbering nonsense ] [I mean, it was really a good decision. Who suggested extending the promotions ] ? ? ? Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun, who had suggested extending the promotions, was currently getting drained by the youngest members in the van. Rapping is all about wordy, you know? Try it then~. The boss of the soy sauce factory is Manager Kang, and Manager Gong runs the bean paste factory! Wahaha!![1] Wow, I want to try too!! The tired office worker, like a dog wagging its tail, was running out of energy dealing with the energetic youngest members. *** So, obviously, you have to put soy sauce in soy sauce egg rice, why would you put gochujang in it? The name is Soy! Sauce! Egg rice! Why not put gochujang? Our youngest, next thing youre going to mix in ketchup, huh? Thanks for confirming your weird food preferences. But Ive tried that before. Seriously? How did we go from tongue twisters to soy sauce egg rice talk? The kids were over-energized from winning first ce, their adrenaline running high. I wanted to quietly gather my thoughts, so I curled up as much as I could and closed my eyes, but our teams baby bird, the eye bird Jeong Dajun, shook my shoulder. Hoyun-hyung! Are you a gochujang person or a soy sauce person? Whichever. Thats so mean! Pushing away the whining Jeong Dajun, I picked up my phone. The first message was from Kim Heeyeong, filled with pping emoticons congratting us. Joo Woosung, Seo Hojin, and even Lim Hyeonsu sent messages. Lim Hyeonsu is a bit unexpected. I sent a polite thank you message, feeling strangely about it. Then, I received a message from Min Jiheon. Min Jiheon: Congrats I really dislike this I ignored it without hesitation. I suddenly remembered Min Jiheon, who almost cried after being hit by mest time yet still pestered me because he was curious about my end. How much does he know, what is he hiding? This guy or that guy. I pressed my brow and turned my gaze outside the window. I hadpletely repressed the trauma. Now, even without looking at my phone while in the van, I didnt feel nauseous like before. Its just an old story. Feeling a tap on my arm, I turned to see a smiling Seong Jiwon, who looked younger with his makeup removed. If youre going to sleep, want to switch ces? You can rest morefortably. Its okay, Im fine. Then at least wear this. Seong Jiwon handed me the hat he was wearing. I epted it without much fuss and put it on. It was indeed morefortable with my front covered. Resting my chin on my hand, I closed my eyes and continued my thoughts. If Min Jiheon knew something, Ill approach him again when the timees. Ill have to postpone targeting the members until everything is clear. Thats right. If I proceeded with the conquest without knowing anything, Ill just be swept away by the intentions of the system window. As I quietly finished my thoughts and was about to close my eyes, the system window rang. Ding! [Quest Arrival!] In the darkness, a blue window visible only to me flickered. It clearly had a knack for timing. It was as if telling me to stop messing around and focus on the quest. [Lets go on a variety show! Whether its self-produced content or a solo variety show, anything is fine! Show off Seo Hoyun PD-nims variety skills >. < Sess: 8,000 points awarded. Failure: If you dont appear within 2 weeks, permanent debuff to stamina] It was hellbent on controlling me but the more youre suppressed, the stronger the urge to rebel. I smirked, touching my lips. Cute. Who are they trying to pick a fight with now, and where? [1] The original line is a tongue twister, ! (factory) is pronounced as gong-jang (factory manager) is pronounced as gong-jang-jang (soy sauce) is pronounced as gan-jang (bean paste) is pronounced as doen-jang (Kang) is pronounced as gang (Gong) is pronounced as gong So, the whole sentence is pronounced Gan-jang gong-jang gong-jang-jang-eun gang gong-jang-jang-i-go doen-jang gong-jang gong-jang-jang-eun gong gong-jang-jang-i-da! Chapter 113 Chapter 113 Did we manage to get in touch with the Japanese management? Daepaseong Entertainment was bustling with activity in October. From the beginning, Min Jiheon, a Hallyu star and popr actor, saw his poprity surge even more with his overseas OTT debut in Please Take the Camera. On top of that, it was because Seo Hoyun also gained poprity as a supporting actor. Moreover, Shining Star had spread across the sea, creating a big impact in Japan. So, to prepare for the following year, Lee Jihyeon was typing like a madwoman. I wish I could borrow a cats paw. If you have time to say that, why not get a cat first? Lee Jihyeon, who was having a hard time at Daepaseong Entertainment again today, sighed with her dark circles reaching her chin. Just looking at the Daepaseong logo on theputer background made her so angry that her hands trembled. Small and medium-sized business hell. Still, Lee Jihyeon endured it. When it got hard and she wanted to say fuck this shit, a bonus was pushed in front of her. Seeing the amount, Lee Jihyeon silently decided to endure. The money was too big to refuse. Unaware that Seo Hoyun was diligently mopping the floor behind her, Lee Jihyeon was mumbling to herself, looking at the fan merchandise on her desk. Ah when will I get to fight again when will I get to see our editor rolling around and the blonde third prince No, when is the ungrateful son eventing What are you talking about, Miss Jihyeon? She talks like that when shes tired, let her be. Lee Jihyeon gritted her teeth and hit the keyboard. It was a mistake to had emphasized her ability to speak Japanese on her resume. Because of that, everything rted to the Japanese expansion wasing through her hands. If they dont promote me, theyll pay. Lee Jihyeon, who was nodding obediently at the seniors words with sparkling eyes a year ago, couldnt bear the malpractices of the small and medium-sizedpany and finally turned dark. I just handed over to the Japanese the debut of The Dawn. Oh~, its Jihyeon indeed. Shut up. Now it was a basic passive feature for Jihyeon that whenever her seniors said something, swear words would rise to her throat. When her senior clicked away cheerfully, another employee looked at Jihyeon with a regretful face. Jihyeon deeply sighed and opened a new document window to process the next issue. The Dawn is really popr, isnt it? We could actually n a tour with this much poprity. We wouldnt know until we try. Well, it might be possible in a small hall in the countryside. Its a pity. We should have nned a small concert, right? Are you crazy?? At her seniors words, who was empty-headed in these matters because he only managed actors, Jihyeon felt rage rising within her. You want a concert abroad when we havent even done one domestically? Are you kidding? Thats like ourpany screaming that we want to be cursed at!! Huh?! There are so many concert venues and stadiums in this country! Why? Why cant we use them?! Uh, ah, err. As she recalled the past and screamed like a lunatic, people turned their eyes, and gradually avoided Jihyeon. In a world where thepany would be criticized if they had even a slightly higher number of concerts abroad than domestically, what if they debuted abroad with a concert? [Daepaseong, fuck you] [I thought they were getting better at their jobs, but theyre still fucked upHey Daepaseong, were offering you money, but you cant take it and youre wasting it on this (beep-) (beep-) (beep-) (beep-)] [Daepaseong (beep-)bastards(beep-)look down on domestic fans ahgone mad] The rest were unspeakable expletives. Jihyeon, imagining the criticism of Daepaseong that she felt she would know even without looking up, brushed off the goosebumps on her arm. Oh shit, its really scary just thinking about it. In fact, in Jihyeons opinion, even though the Japanese debut was a bit of a sensitive issue for fans, it was inevitable. Apologies to the fans, but in the long run, overseas debuts were ultimately a path for the artist. As she sent the proposal, Jihyeon tightly closed her eyes. I cant help but get some heat! . . . And at that time, Seo Hoyun was having a simr thought. What should I do with this? The K-pop wave was blowing worldwide, and these days, its easy to spread abroad through YouTube and SNS, so the timing of overseas expansion has eleratedpared to before. There were also groups formed with the explicit purpose of overseas expansion. Of course, its still openly said that if you only send a singer overseas, its because theyre not popr domestically. Also, because domestic fans could easily fall away, a bnced schedule of domestic and overseas activities was needed. Currently, Daepaseong was busily rowing the boat as overseas projects wereing in. Hearing the story of overseas expansion through Jihyeon, Seo Hoyuns forehead naturally frowned. Although overseas activities were inevitably a matter of timing, if they went abroad just as they were starting to get a response in Korea, it would inevitably be difficult to talk to domestic fans. In Korean, Ah is different from Oh, and the same words can sound different depending on how they are said nicely. Even though its next year how on earth should I handle this? As he was worrying without being able to find an answer, as he had never experienced this in his previous life, Jeong Dajun, who was scribbling something with a Japanese test paper from the secondnguage section open, suddenly copsed on the table. I cant do it. Did you solve at least one problem? Keep quiet and solve it. Kim Seonghyeon, who had taken an ice cream out of the refrigerator and handed it to me, took a quick look at Dajuns test paper and was stunned. You havent solved even a single problem? Ah should I just not study? Should I just perform instead of going to school on the day of the CSAT?[1] What nonsense is that? You have to study to take the exam. Where is this brat trying to escape to? I thought it would end with a one-shot, but Kang Ichae slithered down from the sofa and chuckled at Dajun, patting his shoulder. Little one, study hard and guess the answers~. Whats important in life, happiness or sess? Sess is obviously more important. Thats so Hoyun-like. Kim Seonghyeon muttered beside me as I quietly replied. I stretched out my arm and lightly poked at Kang Ichaes forehead. Hey, tell me honestly. Dont you think the same way? What? You dont care about money, okay, I get that. But if you work your ass offposing and the result is a failure, what are you going to do? I dont care? What about the box office sess you were talking aboutst time? That was important to us, thats why I said it. Kang Ichae chuckled. As long as its precious to me, it doesnt matter. Yeah, why bother talking with this guy with such irond mental strength. Kim Seonghyeon then asked as he rubbed his chin, Kang Ichae, do you really think like that? Huh? Youre actually hoping that Jeong Dajun will fail his college entrance exam. What?? Really!? Jeong Dajun suddenly threw his pencil. He was definitely overreacting because he didnt want to study anymore but surprisingly, Kang Ichae flinched. ?? We were all stunned. Was it true? Hey, hyung. What are you talking about~ Im cheering for our youngest. Yeah, why would Kang Ichae do that? Late to the game, Kang Ichaeughed and cleaned up the spilled water. Even I, who have a not-so-great temper, had to intervene, but Kim Seonghyeon replied while stretching out his legs. He thinks its more fun to see someone fail than seed. What kind of devils logic is that? Uh Ahahaha. Hey, hyung. Is it true? Um. That shameless Kang Ichae was speechless, blinking quickly, then gently covered Jeong Dajuns ears, who was looking at him in disbelief. Of course. . How was our main rapper going to handle this? Whether he covered his ears or not, Jeong Dajun, who had heard everything, was trembling as if his phone was vibrating from betrayal. Sometimes youre worse than Hoyun. Holy shit! How can you say such harsh words? Should I go harder? Ichae-hyung is just not swearing, but hes really just like Hoyun!! Gasp, Ichae, youre cruel~. I think I should be the one angry here. Seong Jiwon, who had been fervently typing on hisptop at the dining table, quietly approached the noisy members. Hoyun, didnt you have a separate schedule? Ah. Thats right. I slightly turned my head. With Joo Woosung. Hey, where did the senior go?! Kim Seonghyeon was angry, but I didnt have a single gram of energy to spare for Joo Woosung. It was a Best Friends Special on YouTube with Joo Woosung and Yu Jia. There was no need to rush like this, but I epted it since a 2-week limit appeared on the quest windowst time. Ahaha, have a good trip. Its a bit concerning. Using Joo Woosung toplete the quest was a good idea, but since the previous Over-Immersive Captain, I felt guilty about going out alone too much.[2] The members didnt seem to care much, but its easy to get talked about because of the different weights of each member. I was worried that if there were any disturbances within the fandom, fatigue would umte. Joo Woosung-senior, isnt he very active these days? Hisst song was so popr. Yeah, thats true. The reaction was awesome. As I was pondering over this, I received a text message. It was from Lee Jihyeon. nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Hoyun-ssi nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Youll be filming with Joo Woosung-ssi soon, right? nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Its a live broadcast today nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Please watch this before you go on the variety show ? nning Team Lee Jihyeon: (Video) I turned on the strange video and let out a hollowugh. Wow, Lee Jihyeon-ssi is really amazing. Huh? [Guys, Hoyuns shooting with Woosung tomorrow.] [What?? With The Dawn all together?] [No, its a solo variety show. I heard its a YouTube special for Jia.] Fans were stirred up on social media, but no one voiced any strong opinions. Woosung had appeared with Hoyun before on Over-Immersive Captain, but this time the response was a bit strange. [Ah um.] Everyone was careful with their words. Thats becausest time, Kill the Lights activities shed with ck Calls Kings, which significantly affected The Dawns performance. [Well.. Were not in a position topete with ck Call Kings (It would be shameless if we did). Sure, Kill the Lights pissed us offst time, but its not Woosungs fault its because Daepaseong messed up the schedule Calm down, speak slowly] [Well Its about raising public recognition] Even though everyone seemed a bit shaky, they tried to move on. Even though Seo Hoyun asionally went off on his own, he seemed genuinely close with Woosung, and they decided to leave him be, thinking hed handle it well. Personal activities were inevitable. They wanted to let it slide as quietly as possible, but as expected, the timing was never missed, and trouble began. [Ah , Seo Hoyun really has no sense, right after Kill the Lights? Right] When such posts started floating around, fans just chuckled bitterly. Seo Hoyun was clueless? [If our bunny is clueless fuck What about half of the worlds poption? And what about you?] [Hoyun is not clueless, he just doesnt care Exactly I want to y the clip of Shining Stars nomination in front of you.][3] Even if youre used to being hit, it doesnt mean you build tolerance. [Ah, its annoying Dont get angry, go do a hobby Okay.] Eventually, fans who held back their irritation exploded, arguing against anonymous hatements. [Seo Hoyuns fans are really crushed Yes, nning to crush till the core ] [Isnt his personality dirty? Im a bit repulsed by him You idiot, thats one of his good points.] They didnt forget to send the worst hatements in PDF to Daepaseong. And theyughed. [Ah, if I could be repulsed by Seo Hoyun Wouldnt that be a happy life? Indeed, its a bit exciting, right? Wow, this is really funny, look at everyones personality.] Theres a saying that you be like the character youre a fan of, and indeed, Seo Hoyuns fans started to resemble him. Fans, whoughed amidst the hatements with a staunch mentality, suddenly widened their eyes at a video that came flooding in. [Wow.] And they quickly clicked the link. [Heart-pounding, shall we eat sd? The Dawn Cover] A short 30-second video was uploaded to The Dawns official ount. [1] College Schstic Ability Test, a test for South Korean high school students that ys a huge role in where a student could go to college. [2] See starting with Episode 55 [3] See Episode 37 Chapter 114 Chapter 114 Lets eat a heart-thumping sd. It was a song recently trending among the general public, set to the theme of an old animation. The special characteristic of this song was that it emphasized cuteness without fail. [?????] [Guys??? No way??????] Everyone rushed over in a frenzy. Clicking on the video, Kang Ichae, Jeong Dajun, and Seong Jiwon appeared standing in a row with their eyes closed against a kitchen backdrop drawn in cute, pastel-colored cartoon style. As the intro music started, they opened their eyes and began to sway, hands on hips and heels lifting and lowering in rhythm. Squeeze some lemon! How tasty itll be, my heart is thumping! My lovely sd! Squeeze some grapefruit! How fresh itll be, my heart is fluttering! My super tasty sd! Despite being three tall and robust men, they matched the songs cute lyrics perfectly, pretending to drizzle dressing and mime eating. Angelic Seong Jiwon with perfect features, roguishly charming Kang Ichae, and the youngest gangster mouse Jeong Dajun with an old anime opening song? It was a sure-winbination. [Aaaahhhhhh] [Cute to the point of kijul][1] [Oh my God, are these the same guys from Kill the Lights?? Why are they so good???] All danced cheerfully without a hint of embarrassment, especially the youngest, Jeong Dajun, who seemed to be flying. [Ah, Jeong Dajun ah!!! So cute] [He must have really watched this anime, feels like a front-row enthusiast Thinking about it, Dajuns age fits perfectly] Everyone watched him fondly, and then, with thest verse of the first stanza, the three pointed to the side with their index fingers and grinned, hinting at something more toe. [Oh no, could it be] Indeed. [The hyungs too?!?!] They set up the first verse with members who fit well or were shamelessly confident to catch viewers off guard, then deliberately handed over the second verse to the two least suitable members. As the interlude yed on a ck screen, fans erupted in reaction. [Im not expecting anything, whateveres is fine, Im not expecting at all] This time, Seo Hoyun and Kim Seonghyeon stood against a background of cute, colorful flowers, taking deep breaths. [Ack, I was actually expecting a lot!! Thank you!!!!] [Kijul] Dressed in white sweatshirts, they stood with serious faces, mismatched with the cutesy melody, then (finally) started bouncing their feet on the first verse. [Hoyun-aaah!!!!!] [Ah, Kim Seonghyeon Kim Seonghyeon Kim Seonghyeon] Mix the sd in a bowl, mix and mix! Crush the avocado, crush it! If its a bit nd, sprinkle some salt~ Cheer up, your gloomy mood will fly away! Kim Seonghyeons ears turned bright red, and Seo Hoyun kept looking at the ground, asionally taking deep breaths. [Ah, crazy, Kim Seonghyeons ears are red, that means marriage, right, got it] [Seo Hoyun His deep breathing is really funny ah Its getting more shameless with time His increasingly confident movements] Of course, by the end, they boldly stared into the camera, overacting as they mimed sprinkling salt. The magic of sd, jingle! Lets all be happy, my heart is thumping! [Ah, so cute, shit, so cute, ah, so cute, ah] [I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!] The two, who managed to keep smiling till the end, buried their faces in their hands and pretended to wash their faces as the screen faded to ck. [I cant believe it I am someone whoughs a lot] [I thought I was watching quietly, but when the screen went off, I realized I was grinning with my gums showing] As everyone was stunned by this new side of The Dawn they had never seen before, an alert for The Dawns V-Live popped up. [Thumping Dawnkies are here (V hand sign emoticon)] This is! This was a sure bet. Everyone lit up and rushed in. Entering V-Live, the members were waving their hands against the background of the practice room. Hello~! Hello! Though they sometimes appeared individually on V-Live (with titles like Hello, its Jiwon for Seong Jiwon or Cuteness has arrived for Kang Ichae), a V-Live with all five members of The Dawn was different. They waved their hands while looking at the chats, which were flooding in almost instantaneously. But todays content was somewhat different from usual. Right from the start, the fans werepletely flipping out. [Guys, lets eat a heart-thumping sd] Fans who didnt want to end with just one video begged fervently. [Do the heart-thumping sd again, please] [Just one more time ] [Oppa Please I beg you] Heart-Thumping sd? Ah, lets eat a heart-thumping sd! [Yes, yes, yes, please] [Please] The Noeuls were hoping for the members to perform even just a verse or a small hand movement but The Dawn, true to their quirky and cute nature, always exceeded the fans expectations. Shall we show them one more time? Then, Kang Ichae, smiling, pulled out a box from the corner. As the chat filled with question marks, everyone stood up energetically. Lets go! Yeeaahhh!! Ingredients for sd, including lettuce, sugar, and lemon juice, and arge sd bowl. All prepared exclusively for Lets eat heart-thumping sd. [Aaaahhh crazy] [Kinda knew theyd do it today in the practice room] [This is what idols are about, damn it] Squeeze some lemon! Squeeze!! Seo Hoyun and the rest of The Dawn were in a mood to do everything the fans asked. With a choreography to match, one hand holding arge bowl, and the other making sd, their practiced moves were evident even in that short time. If its a bit nd, sprinkle some salt~ Cheer up, your gloomy mood will fly away! Wait, wait. Can you put that much salt?? Kim Seonghyeon, shaking his hips in sync, was shocked at the endless amount of salt being poured. But the youngest line was very, very steadfast. In the end, they all gathered together to eat the sd they made, critiquing each other. Ew, salty! Hyung didnt you put too much salt? To be happy~. I knew it was too much. Gasp. Guys. Try Hoyuns, its really tasty. How did you make it tasty in that moment? Having a slight idea of what fans expected, Seo Hoyun shrugged nonchntly. Kang Ichae chuckled and then pretended to feed the sd to the camera. Lets all be happy, our Noeuls too~. Be very, very happy always! After The Dawns V-Live ended, having reenacted the trending challenge in reality, Seo Hoyuns fans who had been fighting off negativements were contentedly sharing their thoughts on SNS. [My beloved idols forever] [Give me life energy forever] [I will never look away, even if scouted~!!!] The reaction was great, not just from Seo Hoyuns fans, but overall. [This group is full of wit and charm] [Im keeping this V-Live video till Im eighty No? Whats eighty in this era of longevity? Ill keep it till Im 120] Inspired by this video, The Dawns fans actively shared on various SNS. The original Lets eat a heart-thumping sd challenge from TikTok, paired with The Dawns song, sparked a new trend of actually making and eating sds. Soon, other idol groups also started posting their versions. [Refined heart-thumping sd challenge] [High-five heart-thumping sd challenge] [Lets do the heart-thumping sd challenge together<3] Even Joo Woosung, who had recentlye to his senses, tilted his head in confusion seeing the fast-rising requests for the heart-thumping sd challenge during his Star Live. Hear-Thumping sd? Whats that? After viewing a link someone posted, Joo Woosung, who had fixed his phone to one side and was watching on hisputer, burst intoughter seeing The Dawns heart-thumping sd challenge on Youtube. Hey, Seo Hoyun, what are you doing there?? Forgetting he was working, Joo Woosung chuckled andughed at Seo Hoyuns shamelessness, then professionally stood up from his chair. Alright, alright, Ill dance for you. Just a moment~. Being an idols idol, and a member of one of the few groups currently considered the best, ck Calls Joo Woosung managed to dance impressively after watching the dance just once. Of course, the reaction to Joo Woosung was needless to say. [Wow, really, Joo Seong is amazing Just watched once and danced it all, and danced it most deliciously He seems like the best dancer among male idols these days Even showing his skills in the heart-thumping sd challenge] [This guy has fucking talent With just his face alone hes already perfect, ha, oppa,] With Joo Woosungs (after heartilyughing at Seo Hoyun) heart-thumping sd challenge video going viral, the Noeuls were overflowing with pride that The Dawn led the trend of a new challenge first. Thus, their fatigue from the aggro quickly dissipated. Seo Hoyun, who had quickly adopted the heart-thumping sd challenge suggested by Lee Jihyeon, admired the entire process. As long as the fans like it Convinced that it was all good as long as the fans were happy, Seo Hoyun poked at the sd in front of him with a fork. They had filled the fridge with greens for the heart-thumping sd challenge practice, so they had been in a sd craze for days. Yet Jeong Dajun didnt seem to mind, stuffing his mouth full of sd and chewing happily. Sd tastes good. Thats good. Maybe living like Jeong Dajun was the wisest way, he thought, but even while busily eating sd, Jeong Dajun suddenly looked sullen. But what about the college entrance exam Like Seo Hoyun, Jeong Dajun had his own worries. . . . Whoa! Having barely calmed the atmosphere with the heart-thumping sd challenge, I was entering the location for Yu Jias YouTube shoot alone, when unexpectedly, I found Joo Woosung had arrived first. I thought I would be the first one there. I was just about to greet him casually when Hello. Isnt that our Hoyun?? ?? Joo Woosung was a bit strange today. Our Hoyun? Why was he like this? Normally, he would just dumbly say Oh, hello or, if he was pissed, he would grind his teeth and say Did that fucking doge? But today, Our Hoyun? His face almost glowed as he grinned from ear to ear, and I involuntarily took a couple of steps back without realizing it. Whats going on? Whenever Joo Woosungughed like this, it never ended well. Didnt heugh just like this when he won that damn archerypetition? Was it the heart-thumping sd challenge? Or some other aegyo? Please Take the Camera? I prepared for all possibilities and was on guard, but Joo Woosung just tilted his head. Whats up? But all Joo Woosung did was smile, notunch any attack. Our junior, you must be tired froming here. Sit down! I prepared everything for you! I cautiously approached, making sure not to be overheard by the staff, and whispered quietly. What kind of trick have you prepared today? Oh? Youre really too much? Wow, you prepared a lot. Judging from the way he built up the introduction. As I muttered, Joo Woosung shook his head. Hoyun, Ive decided to be a proud and respectable senior. Uh-huh I saw the heart-thumping sd challenge. Your acting in Please Take the Camera was really good too. I hesitated for a moment but couldnt stop the words that burst out. So? Joo Woosung, who had been speaking prettily, turned his head back for a moment and took a deep breath as if he was annoyed. Regardless of what I had just said, personally seeing Joo Woosung after a long time since dealing with Min Jiheon felt likeing home. It was veryforting. When he turned back to me, he only lowered his eyebrows slightly, pretending to be sad. Hey, is it okay to say something that makes people feel bad? Im really doing well. Whats really upsetting is the way Joo Woosung is speaking right now. You cynical bastard, really. Seeing Joo Woosung quickly return to his usual self with just a little teasing, I nodded contentedly. Yeah, thats our pushover. Joo Woosung dropped the buildup and returned to his original self, tilting his head and getting straight to the point. Hey, I had a great reactionst time, didnt I? [1] Kijul is a ng thates from , which means going to faint or about to pass out. Chapter 115 Chapter 115 Hey, I had a great reactionst time, didnt I? I knew it. Around the same time as our Kill the Lights promotion, Joo Woosung was a standout in Kings. I still vividly remember being pissed off while watching his stage in the music show waiting room. And regardless of my recognition, I couldnt deny that Joo Woosung alone was almost a phenomenon. After going to California, his dance skills improved, and the views for his fancams from music shows easily hit 5 million as a baseline, while dance videos shot in professional studios soared past 50 million in no time. I knew it, but why did he feel the need to boast about it to me at this moment? Joo Woosung annoyingly kept brushing his hair back. Seen my poprity? Yes, I have. epting it straightforwardly, Joo Woosung seemed satisfied, letting out a weak smile. On the contrary, my expression soured. Joo Woosung, are you simple orplicated? I cant figure you out. I really worked hard Ah, is this what people call desperation? Just two days before the debut lineup was decided, I felt that feeling Ahahaha! Nope. Just a jerk Talking about infuriating stuff that would usually get under my skin, he sessfully managed to make me super angry with the phrase You cant beat a genius who enjoys what he does. I took out a candy from my pocket and started chewing it vigorously to suppress my anger, while Joo Woosung giggled beside me. Oh? You both came early. Ah, hello, senior~. Hello, senior. Yu Jia entered, noticing the atmosphere andughed, seemingly unaware of what was happening. Todays Yu Jias Jujaju will start now. For todays Best Friends Special, we have Joo Woosung from ck Call and Seo Hoyun from The Dawn! Hello~, its Woosung. Hoyun here. Alright. If you really want to pick a fight. Lets see how it goes, Woosung. I straightened up and smiled calmly. Yu Jia smoothly transitioned, holding her script cards. So, you two are close, right? Were not. Thats right. Hmm? Yu Jiaughed off Joo Woosungs skewed response and my counter, then decided to generously move on. Yes, so how did you be close? Its like Yu Jia was gently forcing us to admit that were close friends now. Joo Woosung hesitated for a moment, seemingly forgetting the setting. Get a grip, Joo Woosung. Joo Woosung then looked at me for agreement. We were neighborhood friends? Yes, thats right. Its been a while since he was ckmailed, so he mustvepletely forgotten what kind of person I was. Clearly, he was nning to really screw me over. Yu Jias eyes stopped smiling, possibly thinking that this footage might not be suitable for broadcast. Seems like you forgot a bit? Too many things happened in thest year, I cant remember well. However, Joo Woosung smoothly reverted back to his senior persona with a gentle smile. I turned my head and chuckled softly. Its great having created so many memories with hyung over the past year. Shall we create more? It meant if you dont want to be threatened, behave well. Joo Woosung, who had a lot of sore points, flinched for a moment. Yu Jia, ever the professional, even received thatment. Yes, youve had many memories in the past year, havent you? From Over-Immersive Captain to The Victory is Mine. Whats the most memorable episode? Ah, for me, it would have to be the Do Exactly As Told series. But that was not enough to stop Joo Woosung. Seizing the opportunity, he brought up another annoying topic. Our Hoyun is really good at aegyo. Remember the expose broadcast by Ichae? I was so amazed. Are you still practicing in front of the mirror these days, Hoyun? However, to Joo Woosungs disappointment, I had long since let go of all pride regarding this topic. Joo Woosung was fidgeting, but I just wore a calm smile and said. Shall pretty Hoyoonie try it? Can you y the song? Ive been practicing something in the mirror recently. How can you be so shameless? Its not necessary. Yu Jia and Joo Woosung harshly refused, clearly more interested in my embarrassing history than seeing my aegyo. Despite the situation, Yu Jia managed to extract normal responses and salvage the footage. The problem, however, was Joo Woosung.
  1. Introduce Seo Hoyuns charm!
Its probably his rebellious nature I wasnt much different, really.
  1. Whats Joo Woosungs appeal point?
His unwavering mental strength in any situation? Joo Woosungs lips quivered at my response, which was meant to imply how he doesnt get existential crisis whenever he encountered his ex-girlfriends at music shows. Yu Jia, quietly observing the scene, put down her card and rested her chin on her hand, asking softly, You two seem to be enjoying life these days, huh? The atmosphere on set suddenly turned as if doused with cold water. Sorry! Well do better. Anyway, Joo Woosung, slightly intimidated by Yu Jias annoyed look, continued the shooting, but Yu Jia threw a curveball. You two are idols~ Its a bitte to promote new songs, but would you like to give it a try? Huh? Well y your songs, so why dont you dance to them? !! I was horrified. Dance live on air? Next to Joo Woosung, with his EX- level dance skill? When Im just a B-grade dancer? Ah~!! Joo Woosung quickly noticed my paleplexion and sprang to his feet. And he stretched with a series of smirks. Ah, I dont usually ept these kinds of challenges, but for Yu Jias show, Ill make an exception! Ill dance! Joo Woosung, really But as a rookie, I couldnt refuse. Though I knew Id be overshadowed by Joo Woosung, I gritted my teeth and prepared to dance. Yu Jia watched us with a pleased smile. Joo Woosung, true to his EX- rating, effortlessly performed the highlight parts of Kill the Lights with a broad grin. Ill skip how I did with ck Calls song. Just adding that Joo Woosung was incredibly annoying beside me. Ahaha, our junior is doing well~! Fighting! I swear I will definitely improve this dance skill! Feeling utterly drained, I was ready to wrap up the shoot and plot how to get back at Joo Woosung when suddenly Yu Jia pulled out new cards from behind her chair. Then, lets move into part 2 and talk about the lyrics, shall we? ? A guest will join us! Part 2? A guest? That wasnt discussed before. Lets bring in the geniusposer, Blue Tiger!! Yu Jia, who had been maintaining a calm demeanor, called the guest with a hint of excitement in her voice. Ah. Lim Hyeonsu. Of course, Lim Hyeonsu had enough public recognition and sense to appear on Yu Jias show. But Joo Woosung and Lim Hyeonsu together Its like my personal gossip club. Bracing for impact, I turned around But contrary to Yu Jias enthusiastic introduction, the set was quiet. The usually confident geniusposer, Lim Hyeonsu, should have been there. Im here. Wow! Ah! Everyone screamed and moved away. There, in a corner, sat Lim Hyeonsu She was slumped over, looking drained. Hi. The usually self-assured Blue Tiger looked like a wilted radish today. . . . So, we cant not talk about Second Chance. Ms. Composer, how did youe to give them the song? The response was really hot. Ah. The geniusposer, Cheongbeom, slouched in her chair, her expression screaming meh. Its about Second Chance, a song I extorted from Lim Hyeonsu, so normally, she wouldve sneered at me and found ways to irritate me. But today, she seemed out of it. Uh Seo Hoyun asked for it. ?? I gave it, well. What, what? Then Lim Hyeonsu fell silent. We stared nkly at her, lost in thought. Thats it? Well, I was personally conflicted, but Ms. Composer kindly offered to help. So, I had to beautifully package the story of my own extortion. Kindly offered my foot. Lim Hyeonsu, who wouldve been cursing up a storm at that, just nodded and fiddled with her fingertips. Whats going on? Lim Hyeonsu, usually sharp-tongued like a judge on my sensational show, looked defeated like never before. Yu Jia nced at her, then struggled to salvage the sinking ship. Its impressive that you willingly helped! Its known to be quite hard to get a song from Blue Tiger. Shes famous for not giving songs to just anyone. Right, Ms. Composer? Uh? Oh? Ah Yes. Im famous as aposer. Lim Hyeonsu gave a very out-of-ce response. Youre famous, ha Yes, thats right Lim Hyeonsu seemed to have swallowed some curses. Yu Jia, taken aback, continued with her questions but Lim Hyeonsus responses were all Yeah. Oh, yeah. Lyrics meaning? Uh just wrote them. Just like that. Yu Jia, who had been steadfastly continuing the show even amidst Joo Woosung and my bickering, looked at Lim Hyeonsu, speechless. Still, since Yu Jia had a connection with Lim Hyeonsu from her rookie days, she couldnt say much, just like she did with us Wow, did she really hit rock bottom? I dont know Joo Woosung and I murmured, puzzled, while Yu Jia trembled yet somehow wrung out enough footage for broadcasting. She was a real pro. Thank you for your efforts. Thats all for Yu Jias Jujaju~. Did you get enough for the broadcast? The first part of the Best Friends Special was fun and we got good footage. Well edit it without crossing the line, but Part 2 Hmm. Anyway, after the shooting, I overheard the staff murmuring and turned to look at Lim Hyeonsu. Was this the first time Id seen her since our phone call? Yu Jia, surprisingly, was the first to care for Lim Hyeonsu instead of getting angry. Ms. Composer, is something wrong? No, Im fine, Jujaju Hmm. I feel bad for calling you here Are you apologizing to me?! Yu Jia was genuinely shocked. I crossed my arms and watched, curious, as Lim Hyeonsu seemed unusually downcast. Joo Woosung tilted his head quizzically beside me. Noona, whats wrong? Oh Why are you so down? Cheongbeom-noona is at her best when overflowing with confidence. Why does he talk like that? I couldnt help but react to Joo Woosungs passive way of addressing women, but I had to agree with his point. Lim Hyeonsu was at her best when slightly arrogant. However, Lim Hyeonsu, maybe burnt out or something, rubbed her eyes and said, I dont know, just Lately, everythings been irritating. Nothings going right. Hmm. Was this really because of Kang Ichae? It was true that Lim Hyeonsu acknowledged and envied Kang Ichaes talent, but was it enough to cause Lim Hyeonsu such a shock? Especially after producing such amazing songs for ck Call? As I narrowed my eyes at her, Lim Hyeonsu evasively looked away. Yep, seems like it. Watching her, I thought about another talent bomb probably lying around in the dorm, tormenting the leader and the youngest. Honestly, both seemed the same to me. Should Ifort her? If I wanted to use her, itd be right tofort her, but while I was pondering, Joo Woosung smirked. Noona, I have a solution for you. Huh? He leaned in and whispered. How about some financial therapy in California? California? Yeah, its nice there. Sunshine, cheerful people. Want me to tell you the hotel I stayed in? Why is he like this, really? ces were all the same everywhere While I was rolling my eyes at Joo Woosung, still not over his California craze, Lim Hyeonsu, seemingly sharing my thoughts, faintly smiled. Whats so special there? Id rather just stay in Korea and smoke myself to death. Seriously, its good! Get some vitamin D, spend some money. Whats in California? All I think of is 2pacs California Love. Yes? Both Joo Woosung and I, along with Yu Jia, were left with question marks above our heads. You guys dont know this? What is it? What, what? Realizing from our reactions that we were clueless, Lim Hyeonsu suddenly perked up (though in anger) and started ranting. Wait, even if Im down, this is too much. How can you not know this song?? Its the song that ys nonstop in the U.S. when a home run is hit! Its yed in California during pitcher changes?! Seo Hoyun, do you know? No, I dont. Not interested in baseball. Cr-crazy Its a real god-tier song. Lim Hyeonsu grumbled, ready to enlighten us young ones on the intro of this god-tier song then paused abruptly. Uh? Wait, California Love? Love? She whirled around to face Joo Woosung. Lim Hyeonsu, apparently not very interested in the song, let go of her phone and grabbed Joo Woosungs forearms. Did you go to California to find love, Woosung?! Yesss? Pfft!! While Yu Jia remained calm, I, who was listening casually while drinking water, choked on it. Ah, haha Love, he says, haha. Joo Woosung, who was previously enjoying his genius status, suddenly turned into someone who flew 11 hours just to find love. He stuttered, then denied it. What are you talking about? No, its not like that. Wow So thats why you were all about California earlier. Its really not true! Seriously, I was just cooped up in a studio there, dancing hard, okay?? But Lim Hyeonsu, being the geniusposer and lyricist she is, blinked after hearing Joo Woosungs words. You were dancing? And she marveled innocently. Wow, nosuch a great metaphor. !! Hey, Woosung. You should really listen to California Love. It has lyrics simr to what you just described. What, what, what. You have talent in lyrics, man. Eeek!! Ahahaha!! Eventually, Joo Woosung became utterly frustrated, but I bent over, holding my stomach inughter. Seeing Joo Woosung get hriously bamboozled was just too funny, especially when things hadnt been going my waytely! Ah, they said you have talent in lyrics~! Seo Hoyun, seriously, stopughing! Regardless of Joo Woosungs squawking or my almost sobbingughter, Lim Hyeonsu suddenly clenched her fist decisively. Alright!! Thank you, Woosung. Ill go to California for some love therapy too! Wow take care, Ms. Composer~. Seo Hoyun, thank you! Jia, want toe along? No thanks, go by yourself, Ms. Composer. Lim Hyeonsus eyes sparkled. Leaving behind one angry, one snickering, and one bewildered person, she ruffled her hair and stepped out to look for a flight ticket, humming a tune. California Love~! Doo-roo-roon bam-bam-bam-bam! When will Ms. Composer ever grow up? I sighed, feeling sorry for the geniusposer who seemed to be getting younger, while Yu Jia shook her head and left the room. Left alone with Joo Woosung, I still couldnt stopughing. Whats with my image now? I, I really worked hard this time, you know? Kek, pfft. Seo Hoyun, I said stopughing! Ignoring Joo Woosungs chiding, I finally managed to calm down after some deep breaths, then leaned back and asked sweetly, Ah what about all those noonas you charmed, hyung? Why couldnt you keep them? Even Cheongbeom-noona is going to California to find love without you, are you okay with that? Joo Woosung stood up trembling with MAX anger. Watching his defeated face made me burst intoughter again. I guess I should listen to California Love Hey! You, just try listening to it! Sure~. Ill listen right away~. As Joo Woosung red at me and grumbled on his way out, I returned to the van in high spirits and plugged in my earphones to y the song. The song, with its hip-hop beat and a striking intro, made sense as Lim Hyeonsus favorite, but frankly, it wasnt really my type. Nevertheless, I hummed along, enjoying the song for what it brought me, and checked thepletion of my quest. [Lets go on a variety show! questpleted! Seo Hoyun PD-nim, instead of showing off your variety skills, you just had fun teasing others Still, its a sess, and youre awarded 8,000 points.] One should find joy wherever possible. Chuckling, I picked up my phone, noticing a V-Live notification. I opened the video, and Hm? I stumbled upon something curious. Ah. Seong Jiwon was speaking softly to the fans, but then he stiffened upon checking his phone. Ah, haha. Sorry, its nothing. He quickly resumed his conversation as if nothing happened, but Throughout the V-Live, Seong Jiwons phone kept ringing incessantly. Chapter 116 Chapter 116 Ah, Hoyun! Good job. Yeah. Seong Jiwon acted as if nothing was unusual. Whether it was on stage at a local event, or behind the scenes where the youngest members giggled, or even when I stared at him tantly, Seong Jiwon maintained a serene smile. Honestly, if I hadnt watched his V-Live, I would have thought everything was normal. His acting was that convincing. But hes not good at acting. Or maybe he was just good at hiding things. Deciding not to drag out this concern (giving him a day, which I considered a grace period), I chose to cut to the chase. Blocking Seong Jiwons path, I crossed my arms. Seong Jiwon, I saw your V-Live yesterday. He flinched. Realizing my intent, Seong Jiwon awkwardly avoided my gaze, trying to brush it off. Youve been busy, and you still watched that? Ahaha, thanks I didnt say anything weird, did I? No, you didnt. But there was something else. Was the constant phone ringing from sasaengs? ! Seong Jiwons eyes wavered as I brought up the main issue. He fidgeted with his lips, looking for the right words. Hoyun, you really dont hold back. Its one of my charms. Ahaha Seong Jiwon awkwardlyughed at my tantment and rubbed his neck. He nced around subtly before admitting. Yeah, sasaengs. Amazing, right? They keep calling even after I change my number. I, too, had experienced my phone battery dying quickly and being woken up due to sasaengs calls. Now, if the caller ID shows No Caller ID, I dont even bother to answer. I regrly changed my phone number, and so did the other members. That meant Did you tell thepany? It was also something we were familiar with. If Seong Jiwonbeled it as a sasaeng call, he would have just mentioned it and not acted like a guilty puppy. I asked out of suspicion, but Seong Jiwon just nodded. Yeah, of course. Im nning to change my number again. Okay. Seong Jiwon clearly drew the line, indicating he didnt want to delve deeper. Was there really something more, or was it just my needless worry? As I pondered, our eyes met. But Hoyun. What? He faintly smiled and asked, Are you worried about me? What are you talking about? Of course, I wanted to be aware of any issues in the team. But before I could finish, Seong Jiwon smiled, as if understanding. No, just thanks. Seong Jiwon, could youe here for a moment, please! Ah, I should go? Theyre calling me over there. Suddenly turned into a fidgety sub-vocalist and being anxious about a team members well-being, I was at a loss for words. Ding! [Wow, Seong Jiwons way of slipping out is so natural] I really got sucked in for a moment there. Impressed by Seong Jiwons advanced tactics, I was contemting things when Jeong Dajun suddenly appeared beside me, holding a Pikachu tonkatsu in each hand. Hyung, were splitting into teams for filmingter! For now I decided to put the crafty Seong Jiwon aside and focus on the task at hand. We were booked for local events for a few days, and it seemed like they wanted to make the most out of todays schedule by filming our self-content. It was a famous tourist spot, but thankfully it wasnt crowded since it wasnt the tourist season. Still, just in case, everyone wiped off their stage makeup and covered their faces with hats or masks. The camera was already following us. That so? Two teams? No. I heard were splitting into three teams? Ah. Concerned that Seong Jiwon might end up alone, I was about to turn to the production team when Kang Ichae, who also somehow acquired tteok kkochi, quickly intercepted. Ichae thinks~ it would be better with two teams? Wow Why? Aw~! What if Ichae gets left alone? Hes too pretty; someone might snatch him away. Why risk it? Kang Ichae is seriously sharp Ding! [Whats with this group?] [Im starting to get scared Lets stop this.] No wonder they have survived so much; their instincts were just crazy. I wish someone would really take him away Muttering he makes me want to leave him alone even more, Jeong Dajun rubbed his neck while I exchanged a quick nce with Kang Ichae. Thankfully, Seong Jiwon, who missed our brief exchange, nodded with a smile. Yeah, then lets go with two teams. Sure, thats fine. The staff readily agreed and shook the draw box. As the members gathered around the box, the camera closely focused on us. The drawing resulted in a pretty good team formation. Yay! Im in the same team with Seonghyeon and Ichae. Hyung, Hyung! Hoyun-hyung, youre in the same team as me! Why are you smiling like that?! Personally, I always wished our youngest member would remain clueless like this forever. Patting his head dismissively, Jeong Dajun stopped ncing around and kept his mouth shut. So, what should we do? Can we do a mukbang content? Weve prepared a list of restaurants we want to try! Ah, you even thought of that? The staff immediately smiled and handed over an envelope. Today, personal card use is prohibited! Enjoy with the amount we provide. ? This didnt seem like something Lee Jihyeon would do. Though it was mostly because of me, Daepaseongs nning team was always grinding their teeth at The Dawn, constantly dumping work and forcing overtime on us just to get back at us. With such a bitter nning team, Jeong Dajun seemed suspicious of the surprisingly mild content. Are we really just supposed to enjoy ourselves? Yes, of course! The staff beamed. Have a happy journey~. Now, go on! Excluding one VJ and one staff to report the situation for each team, the staff quickly dispersed. We decided to open the envelope before splitting into teams. How much is in there? 10,000 won. Three and two people with just 10,000 won?[1] Its The Return of 10,000 Won of Happiness!''[2] Jeong Dajuns jaw dropped at the ludicrous n from the nning team, and he gave me a suspecting look, probably thinking I was the culprit. I quickly avoided his gaze. Was this my fault? For the three of us? Here? In the countryside? Here? The teams of three looked dismayed, especially Kang Ichae, who had been chanting My tail! all day, insisting on eel for dinner, now seemed to barely hold back curses. Why? Its not like youre spending 10,000 won for a whole week. Cant we just use our own money? What about the main rappers energy recovery? Everyones spirits were down 200% after finishing the event on an empty stomach. Meanwhile, Jeong Dajun, surprisingly sharp in such situations, quickly did the math (why cant he be this smart all the time?) and chuckled. Hoyun-hyung, since were two, we can each have 5,000 won! Oh, really? Were three, so give us 5,000 won more! No, you cant. The staffs firm response left the three looking gloomy. Dont worry. Its Lee Jihyeon from the nning team, after all. Would she really make us film The Return of 10,000 Won of Happiness with The Dawn, a group with me in it? Not just for us, but for idols, and especially for a group with me, the foodie? Lee Jihyeon, despite being rtively new, had nned the Hear-Thumping Sd Challenge and the Post-Apocalypse Trilogy. It seemed unlikely shed pull out an old, boring program concept and make her oppas suffer, possibly angering the fans. Shed surely add a mission. I shrugged my shoulders and called Jeong Dajun. Lets go, maknae! Lets go, baby!! Am I a baby? Ill leave that position to you, Hyung. Neen-year-old Jeong Dajun, sassy as ever, followed me. As we exchanged banter like Were you even born then?, I saw it in the maternity ward, the other three stood there with despairing faces. Not my problem. Hey, are you okay? Yeah! I ate lots of snacks just now, so Im fine! So spirited, such a good sight. I patted his head affectionately, but then Hyung. What. Im hungry Jeong Dajun crumbled in just 3 minutes and 17 seconds. Just one hotteok, please!! As he sumbed to the line of shy cafes and restaurants targeting tourists, I smacked his back with a p. You should eat a proper meal instead. Watching this, the nning team member who was assigned to us bought a hotteok, then suddenly became self-conscious and backed away. Dajun, who had been clinging to me, immediately switched targets and pounced on him. Jeong Dajun clinging attack activated!! Just once! Just one bite of that! Eh, haha. Sorry, Dajun. Thats not in the n~. Maybe the nning team really wanted to torment us like this? I began to find this theory increasingly convincing. As Dajun faked sobbing next to me, I crossed my arms and sneered. Lets go, maknae. Im seriously pissed off. Finally epting he couldnt eat, Dajuns shoulders slumped. Im hungry, hyung Didnt I tell you to eat a meal? Id prefer hotteok. Youjust dont eat it. How can you be so cold to the maknae? As I was about to drag Dajun away, the nning team member, still with hotteok syrup on his lips, smirked. Lets start the mission here. Dajun, have you heard of the Prisoners Dilemma? The nning team member exined excitedly, and Dajun, although seemingly clueless, nodded along. The Prisoners Dilemma. Its a scenario where two suspected aplices of a crime were arrested. If one confessed while the other denied or remained silent, the confessor was released while the denier or silent one got the maximum sentence. If both denied or confessed, they received the same sentence, albeit lighter than if one betrayed the other. In essence, its a non-zero-sum game involving two yers, where cooperation benefited both, but thinking selfishly lead to bad oues for everyone as rounds progressed. Whys this getting so dramatic? While I was feeling skeptical, the nning team member gave a thumbs up. Lets y the TMI game. If both teams keep each others secrets for just 5 minutes, well add 50,000 won. ! Not bad. Though I spoke nonchntly, the next condition was even more sensational. However, if one exposes the others secret, well add 100,000 won. Even better? I muttered under my breath, and Dajun, who valued team friendship, red at me. No I just meant it was okay. What if both exposed at the same time? Then its a 50% forfeiture of your entire assets. And if only the other side exposes? Everything except 1,000 won will be forfeited. It was obvious how this would y out. Among us, only Dajun was seriously concerned. The camera crew quickly focused on our expressions. Hyung, honestly I think its best if we both just stay quiet! Why? Honestly, Im a bit uneasy about Ichae-hyung. But if we both stay quiet, we can each get 50,000 won! Then we can have a nice dinner! Dajun, perhaps motivated by the chance to eat the food he missed, spoke fluently. The best choice for us is to remain silent and get 50,000 won each! I trust you guys!! Hey, you really studied hard. Of course! Hyung, didnt I tell you not to disturb me? Yeah, Dajun had been a bit sensitivetely due to studying. Meanwhile, the nning team member chuckled as if amused by our decision. Well, shall we speed it up a bit? How about 1 minute? Yes! Our trust wont change! So be it. Of course, I knew that trust, unless documented, was no different from old emotional baggage. I just waited. And sure enough. Time. After a minute, Dajun, with a proud face as if to dere Our friendship is forever, stretched his arms up high. The staff member then extended his hand. Please pay up. [1] A little bit less than $8. [2] Apparently this was a Korean variety show from 2003, Happiness In 10,000. Chapter 117 Chapter 117 Yes, Y-Yes? It was immediately after the exnation endedjust 4 secondsterwhen Kang Ichae spilled the beans. That figures. I knew Kang Ichae would do something like this Ding! [Is there even a point in counting 4 seconds?] Exactly my thoughts. If it took only 4 seconds, it meant he betrayed a member right after hearing the instructions. Oh, no, maybe he took a whole 4 seconds because he was pondering over what TMI to share? This, this guy!! Our innocent puppy, Jeong Dajun, either out of shock or just wanting to overact, plopped down on his knees. I clicked my tongue and pulled out an envelope of money. Hey, get up. Youll get your knees dirty. Is this really okay, Ichae-hyung?! How can someone do this?? Ill recite the information as it was given to us: Jeong Dajun sometimes wears anything he can find in Hoyun-hyungs wardrobe. I paused in the act of taking out the money and asked, Is that even TMI? I already knew that. Theres more. The staff said briefly. Last week, he wore stolen underwear.'' Ha Thats some TMI worth thinking about for 4 seconds, Kang Ichae I handed over the money without protest and looked at Jeong Dajun, who immediately made a sad face. I didundryte, okay! Hyung, that was brand new, still in its packaging, right?? Ill wash it and give it back! Dont you ever return it. Consider it a gift. Please keep wearing it, our maknae. Eh? Its clean, though?? After brushing off the guy who clung to the fact that clothing and underwear both touch the skin anyway (theyre totally different, fuck), I looked at the staff. Lets y another game. You must have prepared the money anyway. Of course. Lee Jihyeon must have predicted it woulde to this from the start. The members, with a friendship thats broad yet shallow, specialized in tripping each other up. The staff must have been ready for more games. Especially if they assumed Kang Ichae and I would be on separate teams. I smiled. Prisoners Dilemma, my ass. Lets y the TMI revtion game. Lets see how this goes, shall we? . . . Who cared about keeping members secrets? It had turned into an all-out revtion war. Reveal something, earn 3,000 won; get revealed, lose 5,000 won. Back in the day, Ichae-hyung broke his arm while sledding on a rice sack with me during winter! Plus 3,000 won! Seonghyeon got drunk once and hit his forehead on a utility pole while walking. He begged me to keep it a secret! Plus 3,000 won!! Jiwon sometimes practices rapping alone in the shower, and he sucks at it!! Ah, I already knew that. Shoot Plus 3,000 won NOT! Having spewed out utterly useless and uninteresting TMI, I earned about 20,000 won and even bought ice cream to appease the still furious Jeong Dajun. Even after eating something sweet, Dajuns mouth was still pouting. Come on, even after all this, they still have nearly 100,000 won left, dont they? Were left with just 10,000 won after buying ice cream. Thats what Im saying. Arent they scared of being exposed Ah, hyung, wanna try this mint chocte? No. I smiled gently. Hyung is full just watching our Dajun eat. Huh, whats with the sudden? Jeong Dajun looked up at me with eyes full of unexpected emotion. I decided to act like a good hyung by indulging him as he muttered, Mom said she didnt like ck bean noodles.[1] As we enjoyed our moment of harmony with each other, our money was snatched away. Five thousand won deducted. Excuse me? What the heck?? Determined to sell out the members, Kang Ichae was hell-bent on extracting everyst penny from us. We only had 10,000 won left! Hey, this isnt right. Ack!! I cant take it!! Unable to tolerate losing money, I was pissed off to the max. Its Kang Ichae!! Jeong Dajun, seriously pissed off, ditched the respectful hyung. Then the staff calmly replied, No, its Seong Jiwon. ?! Seong Jiwon? Eh? Both Jeong Dajun and I, agitated and upset, blinked in surprise at the unexpected news. As we exchanged bewildered nces, the staff read a message off their phone verbatim. Hoyun really hates mint chocte. Why not just brush your teeth while eating ice cream? he once mockingly said. !! Shocked, Jeong Dajuns eyes widened as he alternated his gaze between his mint-vored ice cream and me. So. Thats why you were so sweet earlier. No, its not. I broke out in a slight sweat as Dajun murmured in a gloomy tone, So Im just brushing my teeth after all, and continued to munch away. You like SolXs Okay, I get it, Im sorry Before our maknae could start a full-scale rebellion, I looked on with a puzzled face, wondering how to appease him this time, when the bombardment continued unabated. Five thousand won deducted. Ha, who is it this time? Forget it. Just give up and brush your teeth or something, hyung. Just stop sulking. I said Im sorry, alright? Stop sulking?? Do you think that sounds like youre actually sorry, hyung? What, you want me to attach a heart to my words or something? As Jeong Dajun and I were bickering back and forth, the staff merely reported in a calm manner, Kim Seonghyeons revtion: Jeong Dajun, who always yelled at Seo Hoyun not to disturb his studying for the college entrance exam, was actually seen going to the PC room with Kang Ichae. !! he went quite often.'' I opened my mouth and my eyshes fluttered rapidly. Jeong Dajuuun. Waaah!! Kkikigik. As I slowly turned my head to look at him, Jeong Dajun, seemingly truly shocked, waved his hands frantically. It was already toote. Hyung, Hoyun-hyung. Just listen to me for a sec. There was a real reason for that!! Ill open a workbook for you when we get back to the dorm. Ah, no! And so, both teams spilled TMI after TMI until eventually, all our fortunes were snatched away, leaving us with empty hands. Alright~, the revtion battle is over! Great work~! Only the nning team staff seemed very pleased. Their faces were all smiles, probably excited about making good content and getting off work early. On the other hand, we were left without any money And above all, Jeong Dajun had lost the trust he was vehemently preaching about to the other members just an hour ago in the blink of an eye. Ah. I trudged along and then, bam, ran right into the other team. Look at these heartless people here! Woah, Dajun studied hard, didnt he?! Kang Ichae retorted as Jeong Dajun suddenly showed off his expanded vocabry while pointing fingers at the other team. But I was just as annoyed and crossed my arms. Did you enjoy it? Yeah, it was really fun, wasnt it? Even Kim Seonghyeon, who had bumped his forehead against a utility pole while drunk, seemed pissed off and sneered. He had asked me to keep it a secret, but did he really think I would? Kang Ichae, who allegedly broke his arm sledding, didnt seem to care much either and chuckled at the camera, waving his hand But maybe because I was the one who had been ripped off, I was seriously pissed. Ha, enough. Youre not going to let us starve, right? = Just give it a rest and feed the kids. Although it was fun, the nning team staff, perhaps frightened of my menacing look, pulled out a new box. Here, heres a chance for a revival round~. Pick one of these five notes! You only get one chance, and whatever you pick will be given to all members. Oh? Can I look too? Kang Ichae, curious about what was written in the notes, approached the box, and the nning team handed them over without suspicion. Lets see, one is for a fancy restaurant, one is for instant cup noodles~. The rest are almost duds? Is grilled eel avable at the fancy restaurant? That damned eel I muttered to myself, but Kang Ichae cheerfully smiled and kept pestering the nning team. Overwhelmed by the pressure, the nning team staff finally gave up. Assa~.[2] Kang Ichae folded the note he had been holding and put it back in the box, then turned to the members with a fox-like smile. Is it okay if your favorite Ichae picks? You could pick without talking like that. Then I shall choose. ? Something about Kang Ichae seemed fishy Lets see~ Ichaes hands are healing hands~. After much contemtion, Kang Ichae rummaged through the box and finally selected a note, smiling. Drumroll, ta-da~! Open it! Ohhh!! Hyung! Jackpot! Fancy restaurant~!! Oh my gosh~!! What the How did he do it? Wow, what? The nning team was taken aback by the immediate good fortune. Everyone was making a huge fuss around Kang Ichae. Except me. With a 1 in 5 chance, how the hell did he manage to pull out the note with the fancy restaurant? Luck? No, that cant be it. There must have been a reason. I approached the discarded box to take a closer look and let out a hollowugh. The corner of the note that read Go to a fancy restaurant was slightly, very sliiightly bent. Has he gone mad? He must have folded the edge while checking them and then put them back in the box. That way, he could tell by touch. Is Kang Ichae really 21? Acting like a gambling pro, huh? How does one even know such tricks for gambling, let alone boldly execute them in front of a camera (even if its just for self-recording)? Did Kang Ichae find the fountain of youth? While I was reasonably suspecting that Ichae might be in a simr situation as myself, the nning team leader, who had just joined us, muttered, oblivious to everything, Wow, really the chosen one. Ichae really must have been born lucky. Jackpot No, our main rapper wasnt just lucky with draws; hes seriously twisted. Kang Ichae strolled overzily and shed a grin upon seeing my expression. Hoyun-hyung ~ lets go eat some grilled eel! Fine, lets go recharge our energy. As the nning team, who I thought would be on guard until the end, left with a sigh, not having realized theyd been duped by Kang Ichae, Seong Jiwons phone rang. ! After checking his phone, he flinched and quickly shoved it back into his pocket. Then, he put on a nonchnt expression and walked over to the staff. Let me help you with that. Oh, thank you. Do I move this over here? Watching Seong Jiwon spread kindness around with every fiber of his being I headed straight back to the van. After a brief conversation with the new road manager, I sank into my seat and fiddled with my phone before looking up. By the way, manager, did Seong Jiwon mention wanting to change his phone number? Huh? The manager, busy organizing schedules, tilted their head in confusion. When? This is the first Im hearing of it. Ah. Is that so? I must have heard wrong. If he wants to change it, just tell me! Ill apply for it right away. Okay. The manager, who was quick to handle work, stepped out of the van to make a call. I propped my chin on my hand and thought then rubbed my tired eyes and covered myself with a nket. Im right, arent I? [Youve never been wrong before.] Seeing the system window readily admit it only made my mood sink lower. Seong Jiwon had started some big mess And he hadnt told me about it. [1] Its a line from a ssic Korean song. [2] is like yay or hooray in English. Chapter 118 Chapter 118 Its delicious~. Haha, right. d you came. While munching on the grilled eel that Kang Ichae sang praises for, Seong Jiwon was acting as he usually did. Heughed often, hummed tunes asionally, and even made sure to take care of all the members. His kindness peaked when he took out cup noodles from his bag for the whining members who imed to be hungry even after the meal. Eating cup noodles when youre starving is seriously the best. Wow~, our youngests seems to have lived a full life already As the younger members gleefully anticipated the noodles Seong Jiwon had taken out, he just chuckled and quietly stood up. Thats when it happened. Where are you going? Seo Hoyun, who seemed to be in a particrly bad mood today, asked. Jiwon rolled his eyes slightly but responded lightly. Arent you thirsty? Ill go buy us some drinks. Hyung, itste~. We can order room service. Theres a convenience store close by, right? Ill just go and get some fresh air. Ill be back soon. Jiwon-hyung, should Ie with you? As Kang Ichae tried to get up, Seo Hoyun suddenly grabbed his arm. Kang Ichae frowned as they exchanged nces. But Seong Jiwon, whose mind was already elsewhere, failed to notice. Ill be quick. Seong Jiwon offered a faint smile to the other members and stubbornly went outside. Even though no one followed him, his steps quickened as he moved further away from the hotel. The smile that had lingered on his lips faded away. Ah. He had acted nonchnt in front of the noisy members, but in truth, Seong Jiwon was anxious. It seemed the members hadnt noticed yet. Seo Hoyun had asked if it was a sasaeng but hadnt brought it up again. The other members didnt even mention it. Seong Jiwon reviewed his memories, trying to figure out if he had made any mistakes. No news is good news, I guess. The members would still be joking around and bickering back at the dorm, and he could return as if nothing had happened, blending in naturally. Just the thought of it was satisfying and made him happy. They were nothing like the trainees from D.go Entertainment. No, maybe it wasnt the trainees fault. They hadnt always been like that. In D.gospetitive environment, where scores and rankings dictated everything, trainees were subtly coerced to keep up or risk feeling worthless if they fell behind. This left them with little choice. Jealousy, envy, endless rumors, and the torrent of criticism that sometimes choked you up. And the filthy, sticky mud pit that felt like it would drown you if you stepped in. Having seen, heard, and experienced all of this, Seong Jiwon really Annoying. This time, he absolutely did not want topromise. Determined to finish quickly and return to the members, Seong Jiwon stood in a narrow alley a little away from the hotel, staring at his phone which shone brightly in the dark night. In fact, Seong Jiwon hadnt changed his phone number. On the contrary, he had tried hard to remember that sasaengs number. Zzzing! As the vibration continued, he coolly sorted out his thoughts with an unusually cold expression. It wasnt about whether to cut off the sasaeng or not. It was about whether he had the courage to take the risk and dig deeper into this issue. However, his contemtion on the question was shorter than he thought. Of course, I want to know. Clutching at fleeting memories, Seong Jiwon drooped his tired gaze. But this isnt right And just as his finger was about to touch the phone. ! Seong Jiwon. Someone abruptly stopped his hand. Startled, Seong Jiwon almost dropped his phone, but it was deftly caught by What are you doing? It was none other than Seo Hoyun, who had been moody all afternoon, now looking at him with piercing eyes. *** Has this guy gone crazy? Just in case, Hoyun had followed Jiwon after a short dy. But sneaking out here without the members knowing just to answer a sasaengs call? I was so dumbfounded that I just stared at Seong Jiwon. Seong Jiwon looked at me with shocked eyes as if seeing a ghost. Then he blinked. Uh, Hoyun. When did you get here? What are you doing? Me? I was just going to buy some drinks Drinks? I burst outughing. It certainly wasnt out of joy. My mood, which had been somewhat tolerable until just now, had plummeted in an instant. Seong Jiwon, you Do you find lying fun? I had always been rtively gentle with Seong Jiwon. Seeing me speak so bluntly made Seong Jiwons shoulders flinch. I pressed my fingers to my forehead to suppress my rising irritation. Sigh, can you just stop pretending not to know and answer properly from now on? About what? You were about to answer that call just now. Seong Jiwon moved his lips as if to say something, but then averted my gaze. It was as good as an admission, and he knew it wouldnt do him any good to deny it here. No, I was going to hang up. But I did think about it, thats true. He admitted it. Now for the second question. Are you dating someone? What, what did you say? I thought I was quite sharp, but the best I coulde up with in this situation to provoke Seong Jiwon into spilling the beans himself was just this. Dating a sasaeng? The act of secretly taking a fans call behind the members backs was just too provocative. Ha, haha. Seong Jiwonughed at my blunt question, as if he found it ridiculous. Obviously, it wasnt out of joy, and it seemed like he was a bit angry, which was rare for him. Seo Hoyun, thats a bit harsh. Me, dating a sasaeng? Seong Jiwons voice was even lower than usual, and he was slightly biting his lip. You dont really think Id do that, right? Because if I did, Id be pretty fucking angry. Of course not, damn it. Do you think I was crazy? What did Seong Jiwonck? He had it all. Its not like he was a screw loose like some other guys. No. Seong Jiwon promised he wouldnt date, and he was the kind of guy who would keep that promise until the end. Unless the love of the century came along (even then Id still tear it apart), dating a fan just didnt make any sense. Now looking at Seong Jiwon, who kept dropping his gaze to the floor, I took off the cap I was wearing and rubbed my head vigorously. Seeing him react to such a cheap provocation made me feel disgusted, even though I was the one who had applied the pressure. After sighing and wiping my face, I put my cap back on, and Seong Jiwon, leaning against the wall, carefully looked at me, but immediately lowered his eyes again. He then spoke in a tone slightly softer than before. You didnt really mean what you just said. Then why did you say it like that? Impressive. Despite his young age and having been through the wringer in the entertainment industry, Seong Jiwon was astute enough to discern my true feelings from my brief behavior. Plus, he was willing to confront me head-on, even knowing the kind of person I was. So I was just curious, Jiwon. More pressure was needed. What the hell is going on with you right now? Seong Jiwon remained unable to meet my eyes directly, just biting his lower lip firmly. Seeing that, I was hit by a wave of realization. What was I doing with this guy right now? If it had been anyone else, I would have teased them without blinking an eye andughed it off, but doing this to Seong Jiwon felt a bit Thats not whats important right now. I decided to go over Seong Jiwons actions from the beginning once more. Being kind-hearted and being rational werepletely separate issues. Seong Jiwon was the only one who showed kindness amidst the wariness of everyone when I said I would rejoin The Dawn. Perhaps he simply harbored sympathy for someone who had been hurt. Either way, it meant he was gentle and good-natured. But fundamentally, Seong Jiwon was rational and had good judgment. Evenpared to Kang Ichae, he was someone who kept his own counsel well. Normally, he would have cut ties as soon as a sasaeng got involved. The fact that he didnt tell me immediately meant he had something he wanted to hide. Dont follow him right away. What? Lets just watch for a bit. That was also why Kang Ichae and I didnt immediately follow Seong Jiwon. For that same reason, every time Seong Jiwon seemed restless, I just observed without intervening. But look at him now. Hes troubled, yet hes trying to meet up anyway. I need to dig deeper. There must be something more. Things a sasaeng would likely know. There were two types to consider. Either it was a secret that Seong Jiwon wanted to keep, even to the point of meeting a sasaeng or something he desperately wanted to find out. I took my eyes off Seong Jiwon. Should I find something in the item shop to force it out of him, or should I just press him further as is While I was organizing my thoughts, Seong Jiwon, who had been silent all along, suddenly let out an odd remark. So, this is what its like. Seong Jiwons eyshes trembled. So, this is how other people feel I furrowed my brows, wondering if he was trying to slip away like before, but that wasnt the case. With aplicated expression, Seong Jiwon simply fiddled with his lips and then answered honestly. I have no intention of dating anyone while Im active. You too, right, Hoyun? Is that so? Then why go to the lengths of being so cautious and hiding it? Seong Jiwon was silent for a while. I tried to meet his eyes as I spoke. A guy who was fine is now anxious, deliberates over a sasaeng call, doesnt even change his phone number, lies to his groupmates, and now just mp their mouth shut as if guilty? Seong Jiwon, say something. Anything. Seong Jiwon was strange. As much as I thought I knew what made him tick, I realized I didntnotpletely. He practiced like crazy but usually kept a detached expression, although sometimes he acted like someone cornered at the edge of a cliff. And that was still true now. Right, youre correct, Hoyun. I was suspicious I did something wrong He hung his head low and after a while, Seong Jiwon mumbled hesitantly. I just wanted to know something. My eyebrows twitched. Seong Jiwon raised his head again and met my gaze head-on. Being cautious, lying, hiding I did all that because theres something I want to know, Hoyun. Everyone has something theyre desperate for It felt like I was being admonished. Ah. I cursed inwardly after hearing his words. Damn it My head throbbed as if I had been smacked on the back of the head. Only then did I realize that Seong Jiwons current situation, as he looked at me squarely, wasnt all that different from how I had been treating the members all this time. Everyone has something theyre desperate for? Is he actually threatening me now? If he was just doing the trifecta of being cautious, lying, and hiding, that would be a relief. Me? Ive threatened people, insisted on my way, swallowed my pride, and flirted shamelessly. Because I also wanted to know something. So this is your move, Seong Jiwon. It was clear I was at a disadvantage. Theughter and chatter with the members until just now felt like a lie and vanished. So, I lowered my head for a moment. Could I really im a double standard without telling them, thinking I could get away with it? Did I really need to borrow the power of an item? While furiously tapping away at the mental calctor in my head Seong Jiwon tapped the ground with the tip of his shoe. Hoyun. Lets do this. I was nning not to contact them, but not changing my phone number was madness in itself, so Im grateful you stopped me. Really I wont go any further than this. Seong Jiwon slowly sorted out the situation. So, you Seong Jiwon pulled out his trump card. He clearly knew I was hiding something. And I knew that Seong Jiwon had something on his mind as well. With both of us understanding the situation, there were only two possibilities. Either spill everything or bury all secrets. Just as I had done with countless others, including Kim Jaeyeon. I looked at him, contemting the terms of the deal I could offer Just give me a little more time. when Seong Jiwon made his request. What? Sorry to bother you when youre busy, and for asking this favor. Seong Jiwon looked troubled. But unlike me, who couldnt grasp the situation, he seemed to have already sorted out his thoughts as he nodded. I just cant bring myself to say it now. When Im ready, Ill tell you first. It sounded a bit deting. Is it too shameless to ask? I couldnt find the words to respond. Seong Jiwon just Just let go of my issue. All the conditions I was weighing in my head just evaporated. Seong Jiwon finally smiled faintly after studying my face. Youll listen to me. Despite the fact that I hadnt said anything. In the silence that piled up and settled heavily, I, who hadnt properly ced my bet and felt like a cowardly loser, bowed my head But I still felt the vibration from Seong Jiwons phone, which I was still holding tightly. [Seonghyeon] It was Kim Seonghyeon. After looking at him hopelessly, I sighed and handed the phone to Seong Jiwon. He nced up to check my reaction and cautiously epted the phone. Ah, uh Seonghyeon. Yeah. Ill be right there. Yeah, Hoyun is here too. I stood there listening to the noisy chattering from the other side of the phone while Seong Jiwon spoke gently as usual. After ending the call, he took a step towards me. Um, Hoyun. And he really watched me like a hawk. I avoided his kind eyes and answered, What? Dajun wants me to buy c. Jeong Dajun This damn maknae The moment I heard that, my simmering irritation exploded, and I turned and strode away, leaving Seong Jiwon behind. The frustration wasnt with Seong Jiwon; it was with myself. Seong Jiwon called out behind me with a noticeably flustered voice. Should I buy it by myself? Do whatever you want. Okay! I felt like a single cigarette would have cleared my frustration, but when I instinctively reached into my pocket there wasnt even a piece of candy, let alone a cigarette, that Kang Ichae used to give me. I tilted my head back and exhaled a heavy sigh. Ha, seriously, nothing is going right My luck today was absolutely terrible. I ended up going back to the convenience store for candy after almost getting close to the hotel, but I regretted not going to one further away because I ran into Seong Jiwon, who was awkwardly smiling as he reached for a c. Ah. Are you going to pay for the c? Seriously my luck today was the worst. Chapter 119 Chapter 119 On the surface, Seong Jiwon seemed remarkably calm. Even when attending fan signing events or participating in activities, he managed to smile brightly as if nothing was bothering him, and he conversed with the other members quite well. However, Mr. Seong Jiwon, could you take a look at this for a moment. Yes? Woah! The staff member stepped back in surprise. What, whats wrong? Jiwon, is something the matter? Hm? Your face, I mean, that never mind. Unable toprehend the staffs behavior, Seong Jiwon tilted his head with a smile still on his face, prompting the staff tough awkwardly with a Ha. Ha. Ha before sneaking away. Seong Jiwons condition was peculiar. No, it would be more urate to say it wasnt good. He was full of vitality while working, but once it was over, dark clouds seemed to loom over his head. And that wasnt all. What did you say? No, its not that. Ah, should I return the card key? Just a sec, my phone battery is low Ah, did Ichae take it? He was often absent-minded, saying the strangest things. He was probably trying to hold onto his sanity, but from a distance, it was clear as day that his mentals were shot. What the hell am I supposed to do when the main vocal is like this? The thing is, I only knew how to drive people nuts, not how to fix them. I watched him with my arms crossed when Kim Seonghyeon joined me. You could at least try to rx your face, you know? What? Instead of responding, Kim Seonghyeon poked my side and gestured with his eyes. Following his gaze, I saw staff members ncing our way. Only then did I realize that I was in such a bad state that I couldnt even manage my expression, and I quickly pulled my hat down hard. Its suffocating, man. Something happen? Kim Seonghyeon purposefully turned his head away from Seong Jiwon. I looked down and gave a vague reply. Does it look like it? Hearing my answer, Kim Seonghyeons eyes turned towards me. If it looks like it, it must be. I find you really scary when youre like this. Apparently, his acting stats were E- for a reason because his difort was vividly apparent on his face. Iughed. Pfft, what are you talking about? On the contrary, I had faith in my blossoming acting skills. Thanks, Min Jiheon. I never thought Id be grateful to Min Jiheon, but I said with a trace of a smile, Its nothing, dont worry about it. Not sure if he was truly fooled, but Kim Seonghyeon pursed his lips into a straight line and nodded before moving away to greet other staff members. I too let out a deep sigh and reviewed the events of yesterday in my head, while automatically nodding off. Then, Hyung~. When Kang Ichae called out, I turned only to feel a poke on my right cheek. Pfft! You fell for it too, hyung. My mouth hung open at the childish trick, and Kang Ichae nced back at Jeong Dajun, who stood with a shocked expression. Jeong Dajun, did hyung win? Youre buying ice cream tonight~! Huh!! Hoyun-hyung, youre usually so sharp, how could you be so gullible?! Our bunny is more innocent than you think~. They had bet whether Id fall for it or not. Good grief, it was so ridiculous. Hey. Huh? What, what? Why are you being so clueless? Seeing my scowling face, Kang Ichae widened his eyes, and then with a slithering smile, Poke, poke! He poked both my cheeks. Twice. Puhaha! Did you fall for it again~? Kang Ichae. Squeak~. I quickly snagged Kang Ichaes neck and stretched out my hand in front of him. If youre going to use me as bait, you owe me a share. Theres no BbamO. Didnt you say you wanted that? So, youre saying you dont want it? I didnt say I didnt. As I had this dumb conversation with Kang Ichae, the staff members watching us couldnt help but let outughs as they passed by. Sensing the atmosphere had be significantly softer, I let go of Kang Ichae and instead pulled a candy from my pocket, popping it into my mouth. Kang Ichae, you scary bastard. This was his way of showing concern in his own unique way. And as a bonus, he was sending a signal to not sour the teams mood and to make peace to some extent. But I felt a bit wronged. I was the one who got exorcised yesterday, dammit. Honestly, yesterday was pretty much a one-sided affair for me. If it had been someone else, it wouldnt have been dragged out this long or left such a bad aftertaste. But I didnt want to do that with Seong Jiwon. Alright, Hoyun, calm down. Was there really any need to start rumors of discord? I collected my thoughts, rolling the candy around in my mouth, and then let out another sigh before striding towards Seong Jiwon. Seong Jiwon. Huh, what? After greeting a props staff member, I called out to a dazed Seong Jiwon from behind. Startled, he quickly turned his head. I grabbed one of Seong Jiwons hands and with the other, I poured a handful of candies from my pocket over it. Here. Huh? Is your blood sugar low? Why so spaced out? Seong Jiwon blinked as he epted them. I pushed down the front of my cap and looked away. What, you want me to unwrap them for you? No? Then eat up. I stood there without leaving, and Seong Jiwon obediently peeled the wrappers and popped the candies into his mouth. His cheek puffed out, making him look as young as his actual age. What the hell am I doing with a kid 10 years younger? I waited for Seong Jiwons response. After all, Seong Jiwon said he wasnt going to contact them again. He also said he would eventually talk to me, so there was no need to rush. Just wait quietly and eat. Its tasty. Yeah? Seeing a faint smile on Seong Jiwons lips, I turned and walked towards the van, sensing Seong Jiwon trailing behind me. Hoyun, are you heading straight to thepany? What do you care? He immediately mmed up, looking downcast. Watching his troubled expression made me burst intoughter. Such an idiot. Seong Jiwon. Yes? Come here. If something happened to Seong Jiwon, I would take care of it then. It wouldnt be toote. Id make sure it was not. And We have to practice for the end-of-year stage. After all, it was time to focus on our main job more than anything else. I saw Seong Jiwon nod cautiously and took the opportunity to throw in a joke with a hint of sincerity. Jiwon, if youre really sorry, cut the practice time by two hours. Thats not possible. One hour. Thats a bit Are you really sorry? This endearingly diligent practice bug. *** [Title: Guys, Its Confirmed Were Performing at the Year-End Stage] (Lineup list.jpg) Oh my my hearts pounding. I vowed never to fall for any guy again, but I guess I failed at K-pop addiction therapy, shit Wow, theyre really popr The effects of The Dawn are more significant than I thought The Dawn is a syndrome. Thanks to that, Yu Jia and Min Jiheons poprity is no joke. Theyre way beyond just TV ratings Did you see Yu Jias online fan meeting earnings? Crazy] [Title: Huh Is the lineup order supposed to be that high? The Dawn isnt really on that level, Shining Star is legit, back then it was really a hot topic The next title they released was also a hit, one after the other, and the response was good too Apart from Seo Hoyun from Shining Star and Kim Seonghyeon, their public recognition is still somewhatcking, right? And these guys arent rookies either, so its awkward to give them awards Do they really need to be squeezed into this lineup? No, thats right. There are a lot of fans who like The Dawn these days. Huh Really? Is it that much? Yep, theyre sweeping up the domestic charts, and honestly, their concept this time is killer, especially those who are into K-pop are crazy for Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajuns line (and Seong Jiwon is just an angel) Just passing by, but why is Kang Ichae so popr?? Charisma oozing + shamelessness + mental toughness Do I really need to exin? Just look at their face sorry They do look shy, right, Arent The Dawns songs frequently featured on TikTok these days too?] [Title: I admit theres been no real bang yet, but theyre pretending to worry while trashing us, its only been a year since their debut Of course, the period before Second Chance is not counted (Are you watching, you assholes from Daepaseong Entertainment?) Huh? Are there still people who dont know about the empty house burrs Haters gonna hate Pretending to be cool, pretending to know everything about K-pop, pretending to be someone important Can a housebreaking idol surpass Kill the Light with their burning passionThe kids are doing well, so theyre attracting a lot of haters, ugh Since Hoyun joined, The Dawn has been active for just 10 months Although the other members may have rtively low public recognition, dont stir up trouble with these posts and dont show off your emptiness, you fucker] Wow. The inte was always fascinating no matter how many times I visited it. Watching the fans of The Dawn defend and get angry on our behalf, I was amazed at how passionately they could engage in someone elses affairs. After witnessing the fiery responses, I turned off my phone screen. Its brutal. What is? Nothing. Kim Seonghyeon, who had been slurping on his ice cream, shrugged his shoulders. I had been browsing the inte to see if there were any posts about Seong Jiwons sasaeng fans, but instead of that, I found controversy brewing elsewhere. Hmm, its about time for some trouble to start stirring up. In truth, it was a good sign. The morepetition there was, the more it meant we were getting noticed. While its true Ive been diligently cleaning up behind the scenes, our public recognition had risen faster than expected, leading to an influx of external attention and more chaos. Oddly enough, our fans mental fortitude was always solid, but with internal and externalplexities, it seemed like we needed something impactful at this time. In other words, We need a hit. Our nexteback was, at the earliest, early next year or maybe even mid-year. Since we had released three titles this year, thepanys internal opinion was to take it easy next year and focus on improving quality which I agreed with it. If this situation continued, however, it would be toote. Thus, our next biggest opportunity would be, of course The year-end stage? It was a hard-earned opportunity that we couldnt afford to miss. After organizing my thoughts, I put my phone in my pocket and was about to stand up when Jeong Dajun, dressed in a school uniform, came in through the entrance. What are you doing, hyung? What about you? Ah~ Ah, wait a moment. He came in holding shopping bags full in both hands, and he was munching on something hed picked up, slurring his words. What are you eating now? Do you want some, hyung? Im good. I sometimes wondered where all those endless snacks wereing from and whether I should inspect what Jeong Dajun was eating. I almost went as far as to think about puppies, but that seemed too much, so I quickly backstepped. Why do I feel offended?? Its all in your head. Jeong Dajuns perceptiveness had quickened recently. After I cut him off sharply and pretended to ignore hisstment, he grumbled a bit before swallowing what he had in his mouth and then put down the shopping bags. I got a birthday present!! Chapter 120 Chapter 120 Come to think of it, wasnt Jeong Dajuns birthday tomorrow? Jeong Dajun meticulously lined up his wrapped birthday presents and took a selfie with them in the background. Wow~, awesome!! As he unwrapped the gifts, he tilted his head in confusion several times. From behind, I watched the pile of gifts and couldnt help but admire. Wow, Jeong Dajun youve be quite popr. The inclusion of letters written in English or other foreignnguages suggested that some of the gifts were from international fans. I crossed my arms and looked down at an excited Dajun, his cheeks flushed red as he babbled on in delight. Wow! These are seriously pretty! Tell me about it. And I havent seen any of these before! Of course not. All of them were from ridiculously expensive high-end brands. Jeong Dajun, not knowing or perhaps uninterested in the B of the brand, kept busy unwrapping the gifts, makingments like This pattern is unique and Wow, sunsses! Kim Seonghyeon stood nearby, having finished his ice cream. d in a scarf, sunsses, and a ne, Jeong Dajun was decked out in gear. Simrly, Kim Seonghyeon, who might not know the B of the brand either well, he probably knew up to B.R., also enthusiastically handed over more items for him to wear, resulting in our maknae looking quiteical. Are you a Christmas tree? Oh! Thats a great idea, should I add some lights? Pfft, just take the picture, will you? Sure! Ill post it on our fancafe! Our idol, our silly maknae. After taking enough photos to satisfy the soon-to-be birthday boy Jeong Dajun, I left him tapping away proudly on his phone and started putting on my sneakers to head back to practice, but Kim Seonghyeon grabbed my clothes from behind. Where are you going? Practice. Its a holiday, you know? Plus, you almost pulled an all-nighter yesterday. Take a break. Well, it was a holiday, but its not like I had anything better to do. I didnt reply, just dragged my feet, and Seonghyeon clicked his tongue, calling me a workaholic. It was a bit riching from someone whod just spent three hours at the gym on his so-called day off. You shoulde too. If were doing a year-end stage, you need to stay sharp. Seo Hoyun, do you even have such a thing as stage sense?? You wanna die? Kim Seonghyeon gave a half-smile and pondered for a moment before suddenly lifting his head with an Ah! Speaking of which, isnt it about time we heard some news about the coboration? What did the manager say? It shoulde out tomorrow or so. I answered and nced at the corner where a new quest popped up. It was a quest that had been there for a few days. [Quest Arrival! Sessfullyplete the cob stage with a sexy concept! Show the public overwhelming quality. Sessfulpletion: 5,000 points awarded. Failure: Dance stats will slightly decrease (B+ to C+)] No matter how you looked at it, a slight decrease in Dance stats wasnt right, was it? When Iined that its so hard to increase but so easy to decrease, the system window gave me a cheeky response, Think of it like stocks, then disappeared. When you put it that way, it makes sense, I guess. Anyway, Kim Seonghyeon wouldnt know I was sighing at the quest window, and his brow furrowed slightly. Ah, really? Howd you know? It seems like things are being decided, and news is going back and forth. Plus, I had recently visited Joo Woosungs ce to see his cat, Nyangnyang, and it was there I heard about ck Call and White Cherry coborating. The expression on Woosungs face turned sour as he received a call from the manager. Still, I just rubbed Nyangnyangs nose with my fingertip and asked in confusion, Whats up? You seemed okay with it. Ugh. Quite shameless (I mean, youd need this kind of mental fortitude to date that many girlfriends), Joo Woosung had even been a special MC on YuYuBank with Han Chaeri before. I thought encountering an ex-girlfriend wouldnt be a big deal for a yboy like him, but Joo Woosung subtly avoided my gaze. Hey, its one thing to run into Han Chaeri, who I seriously dislike, but those members, theyre really scary, man ? I hadnt gotten that impression when I saw the White Cherry members before. I didnt bother telling Woosung about the kind words Chaeri once told me about him, considering he hadnt done anything to deserve it. I recalled the warm atmosphere that had surrounded Han Chaeri and Lizs conversation. Everyone seemed nice. Very considerate. What are you talking about? Are we even talking about the same White Cherry? Joo Woosung shivered. Sure, their teamwork is great, and they look cool, but people have mixed feelings about them. If you get on their bad side, its freaking scary there. That must be because Joo Woosung did something to split opinions. Ugh, Im already suffocating. I couldnt help but feel refreshed thinking about Joo Woosung, who had been whining for a while that hed be left out in the practice room since the ck Call members already said they wouldnt cover for him. Yeah, it was about time Joo Woosung got a taste of his own medicine. What goes aroundes around, I guess. Just look at that cob. What are you talking about? Are you worried about the cob? No, Im fine. Theres someone else wholl worry more than me. Jeong Dajun seemed to have thoroughly checked the reaction to the photo he posted on the fan cafe, as he kept trying on and draping his birthday gifts while taking pictures. Wearing a school uniform the fans should like it, right? Wait a second. What time was it? Hey, Jeong Dajun. Arent you supposed to be at school now? Startled. Jeong Dajun hesitated slightly, then smiled brightly. School ended early today. He left early. No, I didnt! Hes short on attendance days. Are you kidding me? Kim Seonghyeon, like a nagging sister-inw, quickly confessed to me. Wow, you said you wouldnt tell!! It was his own fault, after all. Jeong Dajun puffed his cheeks and red at Kim Seonghyeon, then started making excuses with a wronged expression. Im still going to take the college entrance exam! Isnt it impressive that I attend school asionally? College is for those who want to go, right? Im totally satisfied being an idol? So what? You really know how to leave someone speechless. This Confucian boy, what do I do with him, My parents are okay with it, h h h When Jeong Dajun realized his grumbling wasnt getting through, he started rolling on the floor. I caught Jeong Dajuns gaze. Alright, lets say your attendance days are fine. What about your CSAT studies? You said youre going to take it. ! Its not far away. Bring out your workbook. Lets see how much youve done. Hyung, just one thing. What is it? I havent solved any! I smacked him on the head, and finally, Jeong Dajun grumbled and started organizing his gifts, then brought his workbook. Ding! [Arent you supposed to be at practice?] Ill just skim through it. Whatever. I sat nonchntly, looking at Jeong Dajuns workbook, which was so clean it looked brand new. Why is this so pristine, you little rascal? For collection? Are you joking? Who buys a workbook just to collect them? Jeong Dajun pouted, holding a mechanical pencil, and there I was, with my experience of tutoring seven students during my university days, furiously pushing him. He screamed in agony as he reluctantly solved the problems. Bang! While I was giving Jeong Dajun a hardcore, Spartan-style crash course, Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae burst through the door. Wahaha!! Why is he like that? Just the usual Kang Ichae. Since this wasnt the first time wed seen Kang Ichae in attention-seeking mode, I acknowledged Kim Seonghyeonsment and was about to get back to Jeong Dajuns questions but Kang Ichae was acting really strange. Wow, this is really tough, huh? He wasughing his head off as if hed reached some sort of enlightenment. Lifes gotta be tough to be fun, right, Hoyun-hyung?? Just get to the point. Aww~, why so cold today~? Typical Seo Hoyun Kim Seonghyeon murmured quietly beside me. Kang Ichae beelined for the sofa and flopped down. Following behind him, Seong Jiwon seemed to share the sentiment, scratching his forehead awkwardly before cautiously broaching a topic. Guys, our cob stage has been set. Oh~? With whom? Lea Purple-sunbae. Huh? Were they talking about that idol group from The Victory is Mine who almost got injured? I didnt know much about them, but the way the members took care of each other left an impression. But a cob with a girl idol group? I quickly weighed the pros and cons and came to a conclusion. Well, it should be fine. Its true that mixed-gender cobs could attract criticism given our junior status in the industry, but we werent the only ones doing it. Some fans might have mixed feelings, but it was a pretty steady event. The unwavering mental fortitude I saw online earlier also yed a part in my assessment; it wouldnt be easily shaken by this. Kim Seonghyeon seemed to share my sentiment, calmly asking without much surprise, Is the song decided too? Of course! Then, Kang Ichae, who had been motionless with his face buried in the sofa, suddenly shot up and giggled weakly. Wait! I sensed trouble brewing. Kang Ichae was about to do something crazy. I quickly dodged to Seong Jiwons side, and sure enough, Kang Ichae, having lost his target, twisted his upper body. Then he grabbed Jeong Dajun by the neck and pulled him close, opening his mouth wide as if to bite his cheek!! Our maknaes cheek, waaang~. Aaaack! Jeong Dajun, whose only fault was sitting right in front of Kang Ichae, paled and managed to escape by rolling on the floor. I was just as startled by the spectacle. Was Kang Ichae out of his fucking mind, seriously?! Are you crazy?! Aaah!! Wahaha! Jeong Dajun tried to stand up but couldnt see properly and banged his head on the sofa leg with a thud. Ow, my head hurts Ahh~! Ichae is lonely~, hug me~. Ugh, I really, really, really hate this!! As Jeong Dajun clutched his head in pain, Kang Ichae stretched out his hand again, but Jeong Dajun sternly slipped away like a slippery eel. He then rubbed his nearly bitten cheek furiously, though it hadnt actually been touched. Watching this, Kang Ichae casually propped his chin on his hand and hummed a tune I felt Id heard somewhere. Let me bite, bite~ Uhhuhu Why is Ichae-hyung like this? He must be crazy. I pressed down on Jeong Dajuns mouth to stop him from turning into Kang Ichae and wiped his reddened cheek with my sleeve tofort his whimpering. Today, even Hoyun-hyung is being unusually sweet Hey, watch your words. Okay While pressing on Jeong Dajuns cheek and responding to his grumbling thoughts of #KangIchae_Exin, deep down, I felt differently. Thanks for being the sacrifice, Jeong Dajun After all, I had dodged the bullet. Kang Ichaes humming continued unabated. That melody sounds really familiar. Seeing Kim Seonghyeon tilt his head in confusion, Seong Jiwon, with a faint look in his eyes, spoke in a soft voice. The actual lyrics are like that. Theres really a song with those lyrics? Seong Jiwon let out an awkwardugh. Lets Spend the Night. Ah. That song? Yeah, that one. No way? Yeah. A mixed-gender? Yeah. I couldnt believe it, so I asked again, but Seong Jiwon just closed his mouth and solemnly nodded. I slightly opened my mouth in shock. Lets Spend the Night. It was a song by a senior from Lea Purples agency who went solo and made a huge hit, well-known to the public For having a sticky, very suggestive sexy concept song. Wahahahaha! Daepaseong Entertainment What were they thinking? Chapter 121 Chapter 121 Who was Lea Purple? Having debuted five years ago, they were sunbaes who were way out of our league. However, when it came to fandom and recognition, we were ahead. They were also idols who were currently gaining poprity with a song that made a reverse run thanks to the new algorithm. It was a time when management was mping down hard, so perhaps thats why Hello! One, two, three! Speak when we say! We are Lea Purple! We are Lea Purple!! Their energy was no joke. Ah, hello! We are The Dawn! We got swept up in the moment and shouted back with full vigor. Thats right, kids. Better to have spirit than to be disheartened. Sorry for calling you out of the blue! We should be careful since the cob announcement hasnt been made yet, but we felt it was urgent to have a talk! Thank you for having us despite your busy schedule. As we took turns greeting and were about to sit down, the system window suddenly popped up. [Options:
  1. How dare you summon us here? You must be prepared, right?
  2. .. Nice to meet you. Hoyun.
  3. Guys, our cob is screwed.]
Damn it. I had been trying to cut back on swearing, but looking at this system window shit, I couldnt help but curse. It was clear that it was just messing with me for no reason. Obviously, I couldnt choose the first or third options, so it must mean I should go with the second I muttered the line through gritted teeth as quickly as I could. Umm Nice to meet you. Hoyun. Excuse me? Nice to meet you. Did I hear that wrong? I could feel the members ncing at me, but I put on a poker face and sat down sternly. Fortunately, the next thing I knew, the leader of Lea Purple stood up straight and greeted us loudly, allowing us to gloss over the awkward moment. I sincerely congratte you on the sess of your Kill the Lights activities!! Ah, th-thank you. Seong Jiwon was taken aback by Lea Purples rigid demeanor and responded with round eyes and an awkward thank you. But they didnt stop at the first verse. I was truly moved by yourst Shining Star. Following that, Ocean Train and Kill the Lights not only showcased The Dawns world view but solidified it! Th-thank you. I also regrly enjoy Lea Purples Headlight. Im always amazed by the clean high notes. There were no cameras filming us right now so such behavior was a bit asionally, Id catch glimpses of Lee Jihyeons explosive demeanor. Seong Jiwon, having taken the baton from the Lea Purple leader,id out praise for them, and a warm atmosphere circted the meeting room. Guys. This wasnt the time for that. Things were seriously bad. So about our coboration. Oh, yes. The moment I brought it up, the previously overheated atmosphere of Youre the best and No, youre the best quickly turned gloomy. Lea Purple also seemed to be aware of the gravity of the situation as they were unable to meet our eyes and kept fidgeting. I heard were doing Lets Spend the Night together. Yes, thats a hit song by Seo-senior from our agency Our CEO is really pushing it. = Hey, Im really sorry, but we have to go through with it no matter what. I understood what they were trying to say without them having to make such a distressed plea. Their agency was in as dire a situation, like Daepaseong Entertainment. Sigh. Alright, for now lets just say okay. I brushed back my hair, trying to shift the mood and changed the subject. Then first shall we have a listen? Everyone nodded with tense eyes. As the youngest member of Lea Purple rushed to y the song, we all listened seriously and solemnly. Tonight, Ill show you the secret Ive been hiding, Ooh Hoo Let me show you, No more thoughts of running away. Oh. The song was better than expected. Lets Spend the Night had a rich melody and progression worthy of its poprity. And the initial beat wasnt as sticky as I thought. Even listening to it again, the melodys really good. Kang Ichae lightly bobbed his head to the rhythm, his eyes sparkling as if the soul of theposer was boiling within him. Just as Kim Seonghyeon, who had been on edge about the song, finally eased up, thinking it wasnt too shabby, and took a drink of water to moisten his dry throat, the next lyrics made him spit the water out in surprise. Every night, I feel so lonely, Please hold me tight (Ah-), I want you to hold me tight. Pfft! Wow. Cough, cough S-sorry. . Not only Lea Purple but even we started to go pale. Babe, Give me a Kiss Kiss! Let me Bite Bite! Ah Babe, Pleasee to me (Ah-) I want to fill myself with you. Cough, hack How did this not get censored? No matter how many times I heard it, I couldnt get used to it. The songwriters unyielding will to cram every possible meaning into a song suitable for all ages was ringly obvious. In this ce (including Kim Seonghyeon, who was practically choking to death), there was no one who didnt understand the meaning of those lyrics. Of course, as always, our maknae was the exception. While everyone else turned pale, Jeong Dajun alone pped and smiled brightly. Wow! The melody is so romantic and nice! But what about thest part? What does it mean by wanting to fill? Dajun!!! I quickly covered Jeong Dajuns mouth and took a deep breath. Even with his mouth covered, Dajun muttered, Does it mean he wants to be filled with love? But the atmosphere turned 10 degrees colder, as if someone had turned on the air conditioner in the middle of winter, and I, too, lost my words. What should we do with this? Change it. Theres no way we can go with this. Even when I listened to it alone, I thought, Ah shit, this is a bit much, but listening to it with Lea Purple and Jeong Dajun, who was as pure as a national treasure among todays teenagers, it felt insanely awkward. As I was straight to the point, the maknae of Lea Purple clenched her fist with an expression that seemed to say, Exactly, thats the fucking problem! Ive expressed our concerns to thepany but they said its difficult. They say theres no song as representative as this in our agency. What do you think at Daepaseong Entertainment? = Hey, this looks fucked. Can yourpany do something about it? Ourpany doesnt have a different opinion, either. = Ourpany is shit. Lea Purple fell silent again, apparently understanding the message correctly. Sure enough, Daepaseong, especially the CEO, would always sneakily stay quiet at times like these. It seemed like they had been pressured by Lea Purples agency to take on the song, and they kept putting it off, probably thinking Id raise all sorts of hell if they told me earlier. In the end, a decision was made without any prior notice. I sighed. The cooldown must be over. Even if you try to live righteously, the world just doesnt help you out in such a tantly unhelpful way. As I was carefully choosing my words on what to do next, Lea Purple took the initiative. May I just make onement? Yes, go ahead. The main dancer took a deep breath as if making a significant decision. Phew, I think everyone here knows our situation. So, skipping the preamble If we go with this concept at least, Lea Purple will be utterly ruined. U-unnie!! So! The main dancer of Lea Purple shut her eyes tightly. Lets just dance like wooden puppets!!! The other members of Lea Purple, initially startled by the main dancers straightforward remark, soon agreed with gloomy faces. Lets definitely not touch each other. Well have to pair up in couples since we have to modify the original choreography, but lets maintain a two-meter distance between people and minimize talking. And avoid eye contact!! Yes! And lets not talk without our masks on! Of course, thats a given!! Social distancing? Kang Ichae mumbled something that sounded very familiar. But Lea Purple was dead serious. They didnt want to blow the opportunity they had barely grasped through a reverse charting sess. At first nce, it might seem like a ridiculous suggestion No, its actually smart. I honestly agreed with the suggestion too. Although the words themselves were somewhat absurd and might seem funny, Lea Purple was truly clever. Then shall we try practicing like that? Seong Jiwon cautiously suggested, and with everyones agreement, we moved to Lea Purples practice studio Every night, I am lonely. Is this about two meters? It seems just right! Perfect, just about my foot It was originally a choreography that involved holding hands, but now we were standing about two meters apart, stretching out just the tips of our fingers like in the old sci-fi alien movie E.T. and it just looked bizarre. Ill turn on my own!! Then Ill pretend to turn you!! Give me a Kiss Kiss! Let me Bite Bite! Like rotating a partner in a waltz, the dance was supposed to flow, but it abruptly broke off, and with an outstretched hand, the partner twirled on their ownit looked less like choreography and more like a dark sorcerers puppet show. Kang Ichae quietly murmured as he watched the scene unfold, This reminds me of that old famous meme, right? The one with the idol-controlling dark wizard from the audience?! Ah, yes!! That one! Anyway, after the barely four-minute performance ended, no one could find the words to continue. I-it wasnt too bad, was it?! Of course not! Lea Purples leader cautiously spoke up, and Jeong Dajun jumped to his feet, giving a thumbs up. Seeing the other members pping along, trying to show support, I couldnt help but feel a bit sorry for our situation. It was a sight that took my breath away. Lets cut it off here. How about we all take a break, sunbae? Lets do that! All members of Lea Purple nodded their heads like crazy. I thought to myself that they really had a tough life. Ill step out for a moment. Sure, take your time! I nodded in lieu of a formal bow and stepped briskly out of the building to get some fresh air. Actually, this was kind of a habit. I used to step outside to smoke and sort out my thoughts. I murmured to myself while touching my lips. What should I do? Honestly, I thought it was wise to stage it ording to Lea Purples suggestion but seeing it in action made me change my mind. This was uh What was it called again? Ding! [Bluetooth Circus troupe?] Ah! Thats right. Yeah. That was the perfect description. I snapped my fingers and nodded vigorously. This isnt enough to hit the mark. So, lets put that aside for now and spin the wheel of happiness. The best course of action was to avoid getting entangled in any scandals. Perhaps the dance, overly cautious of physical contact, might elicit sympathy from the public, or maybe it would be more popr as a funny video. I could already y back in my mind the mockery people would make of this Bluetooth Circus. [Ah, kids, I get it, youre serious Damn, their determination to avoid scandals is so obvious] [But if theyre going to do this, why even bother with a cob? Its ufortable for both the performers and the audience Im totally satisfied with it Got it] Huh? Thinking about it, this wasnt too bad either. Putting aside the end-of-year stages hype strategy, I thought pretending to be pitiful in front of the public wasnt a bad approach. But there was something that bothered me. Ding! [^^] [Seo Hoyun] [What are you thinking?] Yes, that damned quest. They asked for overwhelming quality. But with this circus act, there was no way to show that kind of quality. I sat down heavily on the stairs behind the building and furiously ruffled my hair with one hand. Your thoughts. [Yes?] The thought that someday youll bury me. [ Should I show you the quest again?] The system window taunted me, perfectly catching onto my thoughts. [Quest Reaction Sessfullyplete the cob stage with a sexy concept! Show the public overwhelming quality. Sessfulpletion: 5,000 points awarded. Failure: Dance stats will slightly decrease (B+ to C+)] I let out a short groan. No matter what I thought, I had toe out with a sexy concept that would gain public recognition. I buried my face in my crossed arms and chuckled softly. Where do you want to be buried? Pick a spot in Gyeonggi Province. [] [Think of me again, please] Just saying its piece and then disappearing. That damn system window. I sighed as I sent a text to Lee Jihyeon. It was an SOS. Me: Lee Jihyeon Before I could finish typing the next sentence, the 1 disappeared quickly, and a response came from Lee Jihyeon. nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Lea Purple? Chapter 122 Chapter 122 nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Lea Purple? Shes like a ghost. I let out a snicker and waited for a moment. nning Team Lee Jihyeon: First of all nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Absolutely nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Do not ever touch them Me: I sent a replyden with the meaning, You think Im out of my mind? It was something both Lea Purple and I were already aware of. What I wanted from Jihyeon was a way to somehow make this Bluetooth Circus Troupe look cooler, even if just conceptually. Me: You know what Im asking, right? Me: Ah, Im really looking forward to this one too nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Jihyeons replies stopped for a bit. She wasnt the same Jihyeon who used to excitedly spill out her favorite ideas in front of the team leader with sparkling eyes. She had leveled up, so to speak. Of course, it was in a dark attribute. nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Um Hoyun-ssi nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Actually, Ive been really tired these days because of too much work;; nning Team Lee Jihyeon: And theres this new event for my favorite character starting and I failed at myst attempt nning Team Lee Jihyeon: To get even one special card of our Celestial Pilot, Id need to spin at least a hundred times and thats not even enough to fully max it out What are you talking about? Was she asking for a bonus? I barely deciphered her meanings. I didnt care whether Jihyeon got the game cards she wanted, and I didnt even understand some of the words, but I was willing to grant her wish. Of course, it wasnt my money, but thepanys. Me: CEO nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Is double possible? Me: What do you take me for? Me: Of course, Ill make sure you get your favorite cards Me: No matter how many ^^ nning Team Lee Jihyeon: nning Team Lee Jihyeon: Ill sort it out and send it to you via email ^^! As expected, The Dawns top visual gets things done quickly, the best~ Jihyeon is funny, isnt she? I chuckled and turned off my phone. It was rewarding to see that the foundation I had solidly built up within thepany, starting with the Jeong Dajun incident and then periodically causing some ruckus, was paying off. While enjoying the slightly chilly breeze, which felt refreshing, I sensed someone behind me. Why? Ah. Expecting it to be one of our members, I turned around emotionlessly, only to see Lea Purples main dancer fidgeting with her fingers, wondering how to start a conversation. Ah, hello! Hello. Despite there being no one else around, Lea Purples main dancer looked around anxiously, as if she were at a crime scene, and let out a soft breath. Im so s-sorry. I just wanted to apologize for any inconvenience our agency might have caused. Its not Lea Purples fault, though. That um, it still must be ufortable for The Dawn. I wished they would at least stop with the sexy concept if they were going to make us coborate. Lea Purples main dancer lowered her gaze and spoke in a slightly defeated tone. We are the Bluetooth Circus Troupe, after all. She knew it all along. We cant help it! Im really sorry, for real! If we try to make a pretty stage and get involved with each other, we either get caught in a scandal or mocked for being the Bluetooth Circus Troupe. Its a lose-lose situation, right?? It is a tough choice Right??!! Even though she was the one who proposed the idea, her pale face suggested she realized it wasnt a good one after trying it out. When I showed a bit of agreement, the main dancer scratched her cheek and finally brought up what she really wanted to say. Im not asking for understanding, but you see, in our second year after debut a rumor exploded. I knew it. It was a scandal. For an idol, it was a fatal issue. Not only was it false, but it had also blown up terribly because they were linked with a rather famous male idol group at the time, making recovery rather difficult. The Victory is Mine, you know it, right? Ah, of course, you would. Hoyun-ssi, you were famous back then. Yes, I know it. At the time we appeared, we barely exchanged greetings with the group we were up against, but the editing made it look strange. Just thinking about it made the main dancer shiver. They spread rumors that we were deceiving fans by wearing matching couple items with that idol groups members. Oh! Of course, we did have those items, but to be honest, some of the members bought them because they found them pretty We were doing fairly well after our debut, but after that, we really tanked. Hmm, I knew that too. When I searched for Lea Purple, rted search terms still came up. Although I attempted to cleanse the associated search terms, at the time, all sorts of vivid words popped up, and it wasnt much different now. Didnt you rify that it was just a rumor? Of course, we did. And then she sighed deeply. But after that who would care? It was a disaster. Of course, thats how this industry worked. If there was something to criticize, people swarmed like carnivores to a feast but would turn a deaf ear when someone tried to exin. Lea Purples main dancerughed awkwardly and scratched her head. We were lucky to have a song that charted again early this year, barely keeping us afloat. Were treating this like ourst chance So even if we react overly sensitively like were following quarantine rules or something, please understand we have no ill intentions! Uh-huh. Our kids are really desperate! Su-Sumin really dances well! Right. And Siris voice is sweet like honey! Youd know if you listened to the drama OST she sang for! The main dancers outpouring of love for the members of Lea Purple (which I interpreted as ttery) went on for quite some time. I gave the appropriate responses, but after five minutes, I started to feel a bit sick of it. You really love your group members. = Enough already. I love them, though they dont always listen, the stubborn little things! Were not really close to other groups, especially after getting tangled in a scandal over a simple greeting, so I end up just hanging out with our kids all the time Ah, oops. My apologies. Finally, Lea Purples main dancer seemed to realize she had gone overboard and fell silent. Wow This must be a serious burnout. But I agreed with the sentiment. Thats why we were proceeding with a choreography that avoided any direct contact While I was contemting, my phone rang again. Lee Jihyeon had sorted things out and sent me an email. I checked it briefly and couldnt help but burst intoughter. [Email Subject: Sending you Emergency Escape Number One] Ah, seriously? This is hrious?? Huh? identally finding someone with the same sense of humor, I stifled myughter and opened the email. Since it was an urgent matter, she had just sent over a basic concept, promising to clean it up and send a more detailed versionter. I skimmed through the file and, finding that the content wasnt much different from what I had in mind, I nodded and looked at Lea Purples main dancer. Its a bit of a shame, isnt it? Yes? Its the year-end stage. With a mix of awkwardness and apology, I left the main dancer hovering beside me and pondered over how to put it nicely. Okay, good. Maybe we should change direction? It was too precious to waste on a half-hearted performance only because of a scandal, especially when we were given such a good opportunity such as a year-end stage. What? Oh, but weve already decided on the song, and we cant change it. No, Im not saying we change the song. I shed a smile, the so-called harmless and kind smile that the members really disliked. Lets just tweak the concept a bit? *** What the hell do I do? The youngest member of Lea Purple sat hunched in a corner of the practice room, her expression one of despair. I mean, The Dawn has been so poprtely If we get associated with them, are we really saying goodbye to the world? Even if they maintained a two-meter separation during their cob stage, if they presented a sexy conceptespecially with a song from a senior artist in Lea Purplespanythe me and criticism would fall squarely on them like arrows. No, no. Criticism is fine. Were used to it after being cursed out so much Just dont get involved in a scandal this time! Those who wanted to criticize would do so anyway. She just hoped they wouldnt fall into some weird flow and spark a scandal likest time. Wow, I thought the world was ending back then The youngest member of Lea Purple stared nkly into space before looking around at the other members, who seemed to share her gloom. Just then, at the far end of the practice room, Seong Jiwon, who had been talking to the members of The Dawn, caught her eye while taking a drink of water. Seong Jiwon reflexively widened his eyes and offered a new bottle of water. Want some water? Oh, th-thank you AAAHH!! Though there was no bad blood, the shock of nearly brushing fingers while receiving the water bottle made her react almost allergically. As she clutched her racing heart and stepped back, Seong Jiwon slightly lowered his eyebrows andughed. S-sorry. Haha No worries. He then slid the water bottle toward her and sat down at a safe distance, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the floor, likely going over the choreography in his head. As she watched him, Lea Purples maknae couldnt help but be impressed. She wondered if he was thinking about reviewing the choreography even in this situation. Wow, thats impressive. Huh? Ugh! She had told herself to be careful, yet she blurted out what she was thinking. As Seong Jiwon turned around, she desperately tried to exin herself. Oh, no. I was just thinking youre amazing. I knew you were famous for practicing hard, but it looks like youre still at it even now. It was 100 percent sincere, but the more she spoke, the more it sounded like she was being sarcastic. Just as she wished she could sew her mouth shut, Seong Jiwon smiled ambiguously. It bothers you, doesnt it? Its okay, really. Yes? It was a perplexing feeling. From a short distance away, Kang Ichae, who had been sprawled out, sat up and brushed back his tousled hair as he said, Ah~ isnt it about time hees back? If he said he was going out for some fresh air, then its a hundred percent sure. Other members of The Dawn added theirments, making her feel even more lost in a maze. Regardless, Kang Ichae dug into his pocket, pulled out a candy, and chomped down on it noisily. I wonder who he is nagging this time? Either the nning team or Composer Cheongbeom. It must be the nning team. Didnt theposer go to the US recently? Eh? Why? However, his question was soon answered when Seo Hoyun returned alongside Lea Purples main dancer. Seo Hoyun spoke in a nonchnt tone. Lets have a quick meeting. Yessir~. When everyone gathered in the center of the practice room, Seo Hoyun started to speak, I think we should start with a concept revamp. Are you thinking of ditching the sexy concept? No, not that I was thinking of adding another concept on top of it. The more Seo Hoyun exined, the more the members were drawn into his logic, despite initially thinking, What kind of crazy talk is this? Really? What started as a doubtful response Oh, that makes sense?? turned into agreement. Based on Lee Jihyeons concept, the members of Lea Purple and some from The Dawn (namely Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun) looked at him as if they were enchanted. Its such a good song and a valuable opportunity to perform on such a big stage; it would be too much to just let it pass. Indeed, they could kill two birds with one stone: remain true to the songs concept while avoiding any scandals. Seo Hoyun finished his exnation by declining the candy offered by Kang Ichae. So, what do you think about doing it this way? The lyrics are perfect for it. Yes!! Lets do it! Everyone nodded their heads excitedly. Kang Ichae, in particr, was thrilled, chewing on the candy Seo Hoyun had refused and scribbling down ideas for the arrangement. Then, lets go with that. Lets meet again in two days. Please take care of us! Yes, please take care of us. Seo Hoyun said his casual farewells and stood up with The Dawn. Kim Seonghyeon nudged Seo Hoyun teasingly. Its Lee Jihyeon, right? What did you give her? I dont know, something about card game illustrations. If she really wants it, why doesnt she just take a screenshot. Well, she probably wants to collect it. Kang Ichae chimed in from the side. As they bantered about how they could just print their photo cards, too, The Dawn left the practice room. Left alone in the bustling practice room, Lea Purples youngest finally recalled the conversation The Dawn members were having and muttered in dismay, Theres a reason why The Dawn is so popr It was a curious thing. There really was a breakthrough. Unaware that this breakthrough had been won by offering mobile game gacha as a bonus to Lee Jihyeon, she sincerely admired Seo Hoyun. . . . And Seo Hoyun, who had suggested this breakthrough, was about to face an unexpected crisis. It started the moment he got into the van. The manager excitedly shared the news. Hoyun!! Ive got such great news! Yu Jia and Min Jiheon have each been nominated for the acting awards! To celebrate, theyve been asked to do a special performance, and youre included!! What? Thats right, Yu Jia, Min Jiheon, and youthe three of you are going to perform at the awards ceremony! Seo Hoyun was bbergasted. With Min Jiheon and Yu Jia? Chapter 124 Chapter 124 When I walked into thepany with a slightly ufortable feeling, I saw the members gathered closely in the ce we often used for V-Live sessions. As I opened the door, Jeong Dajun, with his bag still strapped on, sprang up. Hyung! Why are you sote? I feel let down!! The traffic was bad. After all that noise about waiting at the school gates! Ahaha, you believed that? !! Dajuns eyes shook left and right, stunned by Seong Jiwons words. Back when Seo Hojin took his CSAT, I smoked cigarettes one after another and paced around my room. In the end, I couldnt take it anymore and ended up waiting in front of his school. But how could I possibly go there now? Dajuns cheeks were already puffed up in annoyance, so I asked him nonchntly, So, did you do well? I feel totally great! Is that so? Whats with that look? Its not false hope, I really did well! Well, thats a relief. Far from being downcast, he was brimming with confidence. But as I leisurely walked inside, I had a weird hunch. ? Something was off. The members were lined up in the usual V-Live room, and even a tablet was fixed in front of them. Live broadcast? Or recording? Wow~, Hyung really got burnedst time. Kang Ichae chuckled. I still couldnt forget the faces of the members and the manager who entered brightly, carrying a cake, and popping paper fireworks. When I urged them with my eyes to speak up quickly, the reply came from Kim Seonghyeon. Recording. Ahaha~. Then, for some reason, Ichae gave me a slimy smile and gestured with his eyes to look at Dajun. The moment I slightly furrowed my brows, Dajun giggled, turned his backpack around, and clumsily pulled out some papers. Now that Hoyun-hyung is here too Now that I was here? I will begin grading my first-ever college entrance exam!! Woahhhhh! Wow~. Are you out of your mind? What kind of idol recorded their own exam grading? Just as I was about to reproach them for not stopping him, I quickly scanned the other members. Ichae was nearly burying his face in his knees, chuckling helplessly and unable to exin. Ignoring the ever-joyous main rapper, I turned my gaze to the older members, but surprisingly, they all seemed nonchnt. Dajun snorted as I looked on in confusion. Dont get me wrong, Hoyun-hyung. Its not what you think! This is for my personal collection and to send to my mom and dad. Oh, is that so? Whenever something big happens in Dajuns family, they always record it or take photos to keep. With Seong Jiwons interjection, Jeong Dajun proudly gave a thumbs up. My parents have been busytely, and Ive been living in the dorms. I want to show them how hard I studied through a video! Right, hyungs?! Of course, Dajun worked hard~. Ichae subtly joined in, urging me to smile for the camera. The idea was to enjoy this moment amongst ourselves and keep the video for our personal collection, since it wasnt meant for public release. Wow, Jeong Dajun Youve grown up a lot. If it had been live, I would have panicked and stopped him. I thought Dajun would have been yapping and whining, Hyung how can you do this? Its my birthday event tomorrow. Seeing Dajun humming a tune while preparing to grade the exam with the answer sheet already printed and spread out, I took back my previous thought of him being a baby. Kids really did grow up fast. I had a hunch that he was well-loved from the moment I heard the story about his childhood savings ount, but I felt it anew when he mentioned sending the video to his parents. Well, its good to be on good terms with your parents. However, no matter how much I thought about it, I couldnt imagine Jeong Dajun getting excellent grades to boast about to anyone. It wasnt just about the possibility; I couldnt even envision such a scene. Based on what I had seen during our cram sessions, good grades seemed impossible for Dajun. What, whats this? Why do I feel so bad? Just get on with the grading. Yes! Since he was ready to grade it, it meant he had actually gone to the exam hall and managed to answer the problems without falling asleep. He had studied earnestly, at least for the past few days, so I decided to leave him be and give him credit for that effort. Jeong Dajun finished preparing and gripped a pen tightly in one hand. Alright, Im ready! Please turn on the song! What do you like? Could you y Kill the Lights to pump me up? Ooh, wow~!! Hey, wasnt that a bit much?? Werent you sending this to your parents? Dajun clenched his fist as if he knew exactly what was being implied. Mother, Father!! If youre watching, give me the right answer!! Right Without a moment to intervene, Kang Ichae, with a mischievous smile spreading across his lips, swiftly clicked the mouse. The beat of a song that we had heard hundredsif not thousands of times began to y. Okay, Here we go, I see the timing, we once caught our breath together, Now we must go again. Okay! Lets get it!! Starting with Korean! Call them out! 3-2-4-1-2! Oooh, got three right! Ooh, Yes We can definitely kill this light, Overturn everything, change the game. Seonghyeon-hyung! Its your part! Hurry and sing! My, my part? Yeah!! I need the energy! Uh uh Kim Seonghyeon, stuttering and realizing there was no escape, began to sing while looking at the sparkling eyes of Dajun. My trembling fingertips turn blue How much do you know? Calcte. Were you really going to sing that? 4-3-1-1-1! Okay, Jiwon-hyung!! I know this game is against me~, Yet I must go on until the end. 5-3-2-1-1! Is it just me, or have there been a lot of 1stely? I never thought the song Kill the Lights could be so perfectly used for CSAT. I took another sip of my Frappino, nibbling it while watching Jeong Dajun flutter his fingers nervously over the absurd sequence of numbers. The results were disastrous. But you really stuck with it till the end, good job. Wow, its like the rainy season here. Aaaaaack No, lets get the energy back! Hyung, quickly! As Kang Ichae joked about the rain of marks on the scoring sheet, it was my turn again. To you, it might have happened several times, but for me, its just once. Eeeeh?? Youre singing? What the whats with Seo Hoyun all of a sudden? If the maknae wanted to get in the mood for the exam scoring, then this much was fine. Whatever. I ignored the murmurs of the members around me and watched without much expectation, but then Dajuns scores were revealed. As expected, Korean and Math were a total loss, but ssical Chinese was surprisingly not bad. Actually, it was unbelievably good. Though why hed taken ssical Chinese after studying Japanese was beyond me. Jeong Dajun also tilted his head in wonder. Huh? Did I do this well? What? Does Dajun know Chinese characters well? Not really. Whenever he turns on a lecture, hes always dozing off. The members around me, seemingly having the same thoughts, passed around the answer sheet and mock exam paper, their eyes wide with surprise. Whats this? So, he did well? Let me see. Only now does Sub Vocal No. 1 take an interest. Despite doubt that Jeong Dajun could have done so well, I was about to pat his head and praise him when Kim Seonghyeon and Seong Jiwon, behind me, joyfully held hands and spun around, ying ganggangsue, as if they were the ones who had aced the test. No, I didnt expect Dajun to do so well either. Is he actually good at studying? Or maybe a Chinese character genius? Hyung! Im not done grading yet, please give it here. Dajun, still not done looking through the answers and score sheet, spoke up petntly and reached out his hand. He was quite full of himself for doing well in one subject despite bombing the others. Fine, take it. Keep calling out the answers. Alright~, 3-2-1-1-3. Hmm? Just when I thought it was enough and was about to turn off the camera and clean up, Jeong Dajun, who had been busily marking with a red pen, cocked his head in confusion and clicked his pen. Huh. But why is there no number at the end? What? No Huh? One moment, please. Jeong Dajun shuffled through the paper with the scores once more. Then he mumbled nkly. Wait, did I mess up the scoring sheet? !! Everyone looked on in shock. My mind went nk in an instant, and Seong Jiwon blinked his eyes before finally managing to speak. Did you write your answers to the Chinese characters in the wrong order, and thats why your score looks good? What about the scantron? ?? But at that time I didnt miss any numbers? Its different from the scoring sheet. Jeong Dajuns mouth twitched as he stammered out a response. Huh? Uwahahahaha! Whether the actual Chinese character score was good or not, Kang Ichae copsed on the table,ughing as if hed die of amusement because the score turned out to be a fake due to a mistake on the scoring sheet. He had wrapped his arms around Dajuns shoulders saying Of course as if the current situation was extremely amusing. This kid was terrifying No way, that cant be right! Hey, hey, its okay, its okay. Even if you did well on that, you bombed the rest anyway. Seonghyeon-hyung!! As a tutor who had long since given up (though unintentionally), I managed tough genuinely and gently spoke to the maknae who was clutching his head in despair. Dajun-ah, its okay even if you didnt do well on the CSAT. Wow, Hoyun-hyung. Jeong Dajun looked up, touched by my words. I replied while sipping through a straw. Still, being born with a silver spoon isnt so bad, right? Jeong Dajun red at me with fiery eyes, but I ignored him. *** [Guys, I heard Jeong Dajun totally bombed the CSAT Not really surprising Huh?? Doesnt matter, didnt Dajun just take the college entrance exam just for show? Ah] [Thanks for taking the fall, Dajun Seriously, thank you Dajun!!] [In the midst of that, Jiwon went live on V-Live and spilled some behind-the-scenes about Jeong Dajuns CSAT He said hes proud of Dajun no matter the results, that he worked hard until the end. And he said all the Noeuls worked so hard Weve been through a lot really awesome Jiwon is really. an angel. I wonder where his wings are hidden PD Lee Jeonghun: He mustve left them behind Ah really ] True idol Jeong Dajunid down the college entrance exam for the Noeuls, and the mock exam video became a personal keepsake for the members, as they couldnt bear to show it to Dajuns parents. Meanwhile, a high school senior Noeul who just finished with the CSAT, was sitting in front of the TV, overexcited. Dajun!!! Ive finished the CSAT too!! Looking at Jeong Dajun, this high school senior wasnt inspired by apetitive spirit to study not really, but still, by her own standards, she had studied diligently, thus being able to wrap up the year with a sense of aplishment. Having taken the essay exam, now there was only fun left to have. And naturally, the anticipation and excitement for the year-end stage performances hit the maximum. The high school senior Noeul was nervously punching a cushion they were hugging as they waited in front of the TV. Is it true that The Dawn is in this years lineup? Since the poprity of the year often dictated who made it to the stage, naturally, the higher the profile, the more likely it was to get a spot. Also, it was understood that the more popr acts would performter in the show. The first thing the senior did after finishing the CSAT and reviving their phone was to search for The Dawn. [Is The Dawns year-end stage for real? Im part of a super popr idol farm shit] [Oh I love it so much, cant wait to see how theyve performed] The main page was filled with positivements and gifs because it was sorted by poprity, but as soon as they checked thetest posts, an unexpected post caught their eye. [Please, I just hope the cob goes without any controversy ] Right, are they doing a cob stage? Having recently returned to the secr world, the high school senior was unaware of what that tweet meant, tilting their head curiously as they dived further into that posters ount. In the idol world, a single steamy choreography of a mixed-gender pair could draw ire from fandoms, no matter how beautiful the overall stage was. While another group was performing, the senior scoured through posts with the highest concentration they had ever mustered. [The moment we see steamy choreography Were dead. Have faith in Paseong, youve been doing welltely ughter)] [Even thinking about the cob pisses me off, our kids have been living right, you know? ? Dunkings have been living right too, fuck ?] What, whats this? Why so violent?? The harsh criticism and rivalry were so overwhelming, it made their head spin. They quickly exited that ount and returned to their newly created,fortable timeline. [Looking forward to the cob >_<] [Hehe, I love Lea Purple Wondering what concept the kids will have, so excited] Unaware that such posts were the struggles of those already in the know about the rivalry, the senior regained a sense of calm amidst the nicements. What to do? No, well, it should be nothing. As the current groups performance ended, all the lights went out. Because the previous stage had been decorated with brilliant lights, it now seemed rtively darker. Only the words The Dawn appeared on the darkened screen. [The Dawn] The Dawns first year-end stage had begun. Chapter 125 Chapter 125 Arghhh!!! As darkness enveloped the space, the only thing that could be seen on the screen was the phrase, The Dawn. Naturally, the cheers from the fans followed. Amidst the colorful glow of various fandom lightsticks, a bright blue triangr lightstick stood out distinctly. Then, as the stage lights mixed purple and blue hues, casting an enigmatic glow, the members of The Dawn, gathered in the center, appeared on screen. All the members bowed their heads, but then Seong Jiwon slowly lifted his microphone. Normally, an overture would have yed first. In this vast universe, I met the miracle that is you. Ah!! Kismet! For the year-end stage, The Dawn skipped the overture and instead opened with Seong Jiwons soft yet clear voice singing Kismet. It was their finalpetition song for Shining Star, a song that had skyrocketed their groups poprity, prompting everyone to say, These guys are good. It was a song dedicated to Kim Seonghyeon. Ah, lets go!! The high school senior Noeul, having be a fan of Kim Seonghyeon after watching Shining Star, was so excited that she absentmindedly threw her cushion. Kismet usually started with a grand overture, but hearing it begin solely with Seong Jiwons voice made it feel even more poignant. [Jiwons angelic entrance, holy shit] [Lets establish the nation of Seong Jiwon] Enchanted, I reach out my hand. Soon, a gentle piano melody filled the air. As Seong Jiwon slowly lowered his hand and bowed his head, Kim Seonghyeon, who had been standing back-to-back with him, turned around, touched his in-ear microphone, and began to sing. But Im too small. When Kim Seonghyeon, Kismets biggest beneficiary, appeared, an even louder cheer erupted from the TV speakers. Instead of his usual bold and refreshing voice, he spoke in a whisper. But you told me that I can be a star. Perhaps because it was a song about his own story, it meshed unbelievably well with him, even without the grand overture. As the poignant piano bass prelude continued, Kim Seonghyeon tilted his chin up, narrowed his eyes, took a breath, and then yfully grinned at the camera. Right? Tadadadak! Boom, boom, boom! With a sizzling sound, like crackling electricity, the lights shed on and off. When Kim Seonghyeon spoke, the soft piano prelude was abruptly reced with a pop-electronic melody. The blue screen was then struck by white lightning. [Wow, wow, it feels like a concert, is this a concert?] [The fact that Kang Ichae made this drives me crazy How could Ichae produce such quality after only studying for a few week, ha? Wasnt that media y?!] Everyone was excited to see Kismets stage after a long time. But something else was making the fans even happier. [Damn, the kids hairstyles and makeup are insane today] The camera panned over the members, whose hair and styling were impably done, as if the stylists had sharpened their skills. They all wore the same rider leather jackets, but each had subtly different details. While Seo Hoyuns style was a bit loose and casual, Seong Jiwons was neat, resembling a suit, and the youngest members sported unique patterns or decorations. And what about Kim Seonghyeon? It was as if he was born to wear it. [Seo Hoyun in a ck rider jacket with straight hair??? Ah, ah!!!! Hey!!!! Are you kidding me??? Hey, are you joking!!!!!] [Ah, crazy, Daepaseong, darling, I love you] [Are you a publicpany? Are you crazy? If you go public, Ill buy your stocks] [Kim Seonghyeon is sleek, its insane, who the hell sees him as an innocent cutie?] Even though the show had barely started, social media was already buzzing. As Kim Seonghyeon stepped back, the highlight of Kismet thundered through the concert hall. You showed me the way! It was Kang Ichaes new arrangement. Boom, boom, boom! The drums kicked in with the apaniment, and the lights shed dazzlingly. Ooh, Yeah, You showed me the way! The once brilliant melody suddenly softened as if music was being yed underwater, and the lights dimmed at once. The camera slowly zoomed in on the members, who had been catching their breath with their backs to the center, hiding Kim Seonghyeon. At that moment, Seo Hoyun, standing in the center, twisted the corner of his mouth into a smirk. Boom, boom, boom! Yeah, but you told me that I can be a star. As if he was about to show something precious. Boom, boom, boomBabam! The background music exploded as The Dawn split to either side Lift my head up, open my eyes amidst the dust. And Kim Seonghyeon burst out from the middle. You crazy bastards!! The high school Noeul hugged her cushion and burst into tears, but Kim Seonghyeon, as if he didnt care, strode forward with long steps, securing his in-ear microphone with his hand. Everyone warns me, To be born, I must plunge into the storm, Its alright, Ive already decided, I want to meet you. The song waspletely re-recorded for the year-end stage. Even after releasing Kill the Lights, Kang Ichae, having significantly levelled up hisposition and arranging skills, was eager to showcase his newfound abilities to the world. As if he had nothing to fear. Change the lyrics? Is that even possible? Come on, hasnt it been half a year since Shining Star ended? Kang Ichae hummed, idly swinging his feet propped up on the desk. Lets tweak it just a bit, make it rhyme well. Lets make it fit our current situation. So, this time, they were going to release a year-end stage version. As Kim Seonghyeon sang each word with deliberate artiction, Jeong Dajun spun around behind him, facing the camera with a flourish. Ah- You have witnessed, I burned and, in the end, here I am, I knew it, we were right It was then that the fans and the Noeuls noticed the changed lyrics, their eyes widening in realization. Just then, Kang Ichae, whose grapefruit-colored hair and ck leather jacket matched incredibly well, burst onto the scene. Wow, that guy really stands out with his shy looks. You see, as nebee together, Diving into the storm, enduring gravity. But it was so subtle that unless you were a fan of The Dawn, you might just miss it. Kang Ichae wrinkled his nose and swept back his hair. Ah, it turned out to be nothing special, after all, That was the path leading to you, Birth of a Star The changed lyrics are seriously dope. Especially since it was the end of the year, but as memories of the past twelve months flooded back, the high school senior Noeuls immersion grew deeper. A dragging melody deliberately continued, and the sound of the electric guitar then exploded. Yeah, this is Kismet! Then the camera switched, and it was Seo Hoyuns part. The high school senior Noeul was first drawn to The Dawn because of Kim Seonghyeon, but it was Hoyun who really caught her attention. His arrival on stage marked the start of the shows highlight. As always, he showcased his stable live performance skills as he flicked a finger towards the camera. You and I, right here (Yes, right here), A brilliant light explodes, dont miss it, This is Kismet Next up, it was Seong Jiwon who soared endlessly with his falsetto! AhThis is Kismet! AAAAAH!!! Even with the pre-recorded backing vocals sting out, Jiwons high notes pierced through. The moment a star is born. The fate that we cannot deny! The two, Hoyun and Jiwon, harmonized, and, with another explosion erupting from the screen behind them, new lyrics appeared. Along with it, all five members voices resonated. Im rushing towards you. The fans might not have known, but it was the harmony that Hoyun had been sweetly tormented by Jiwon to practice. I want to proudly say that because of you, Ive be a star. Fucking incredible!! Just as an emotional Noeul was about to tear up at the satisfying visual and auditory feast, Seo Hoyun in the center slightly tilted his head. He then looked down at the glowing lightsticks of the Noeuls. All the things he had gone through in less than a year. The vastndscape he saw from the stage must have held a meaning to him that neither the viewers nor the Noeuls could possibly guess. And thats because, Didnt I tell you? Seo Hoyun simply smiled. Hold on and follow me. Hoyun wasnt alone anymore; he returned to the formation of The Dawn. Lights of violet and blue intertwined around him, and he was sucked back into the highlight of Kismet. You showed me the way! Now, Ill be the guiding light for you, I will dance all night to please you! Ah. Overwhelmed, the Noeul clutched her heart and watched the stage to the very end. She originally nned to watch while writingments on SNS, but today, she couldnt take her eyes off the members of The Dawn. I will sing all day only for you. Kim Seonghyeon and Seo Hoyun exchanged nces and smirked at each other. And then they decided to yield fruit befitting Kismet, which had blossomed in Shining Star. Its okay, Ive already decided to burn bright to the end The camera persistently followed them to the very end. After the four-minute performance, Seonghyeons slightly damp ck hair clung to his forehead, and sweat dripped down his jaw. The ending shot captured his slight smile. He seemed happy. Because you told me, That I can be a star. He sang the samest line as before in Kismet, and the lights went out. Despite the stage ending and the screen darkening, the high schooler just sat there, momentarily lost in a trance. Ah, ah. Right. Only then did she managed to calm her pounding heart and hastily grab her phone. [Ah] [I get it, guys, Im not going to do the escape room I said Im not I said Im not] [This is crazy, really Who suggested changing the lyrics, oh well, Kang Ichae is a genius..] It was a performance that, like a mesmerizing sunset, couldnt be ignored. Though the four minutes of quality that rivaled the second parts opening act had ended, fans still lingered in the realm of Kismet, clutching their chests and calling out endlessly. Even now, more than half a yearter, it was still considered a legendary song, but this time it was extra special. [Why do the kids look so cool?] If the Shining Star stage was one where they had to grit their teeth for survival now, the members looked more mature, equipped with a rxed demeanor and what wasmonly referred to as swag oozing from them. [But not only that Today really what is it what is it? Whats with the kids vibe Did something happen to them? I dont know anything, but Im already overinvested.] The reason for their growth was because a lotreally, a lothad happened over the past year. The Noeuls only knew a part of what exactly had happened to The Dawn, but it was enough to get them deeply immersed. [Be happy, guys] [May you always hear sweet words only see good things eat well Ill take care of the fights Im already wallowing in misery] Of course, they didnt know that Seo Hoyun was already working hard so that the Noeuls didnt have to. Anyway, the next song was expected to start, so she waited quietly, but no further music yed. The high school senior Noeul stood up, infuriated. Holy shit!! What the heck?! Is that it? [Ah fuck, I was annoyed when I saw the cue sheet, but they really only did just one performance] [Hey, somebody, try to p some sense into thework, try to grease them somehow~~~!!!! But? No money to bribe Funny but not funny.] The high school senior Noeul, who only knew The Dawn would be performing on the year-end stage but hadnt properly looked at the leaked cue sheet, finally found out through SNS that it was just one song and, seizing her hair, she cursed out Daepaseong Entertainment in a long rant. That was when it happened. The screen changed, and the camera focused on the face of Lea Purples leader, who was on a different stage. [Gasp] As the leaked cue sheet had predicted, a cob stage with Lea Purple was about to unfold. Chapter 126 Chapter 126 With venom-filled eyes, the leaders gaze pierced through the screen. At the same time, as the sound of gears interlocking yed, the lights flickered and then suddenly went out with a whoosh. [Cocococococob] [Im shaking so much I cant watch] Aaaaack! She wanted to see but couldnt bear to watch; both feelings existed at the same time. Her eyes widened in awe as the next stage unfolded. The stage glowed under crimson lights as a tranquil intro beat, echoing like a heartbeat, merged with the ominous atmosphere. The main vocalist of Lea Purple, wearing a long red cloak that trailed down to her ankles, ran across the stage with a nervous expression, looking around before stopping in front of a coffin. Then, as she looked at the empty coffin and recoiled in surprise, she was grabbed by the arm by Lea Purples main dancer. What, whats this? The moment the main vocalist of Lea Purple turned her head in shock, the main dancer revealed sharp fangs and bit into her neck while wrapping an arm around her waist. Aaah! After the recorded scream echoed, the body of Lea Purples main vocalist slumped. The main dancer, who had been buried in her neck, slowly lifted her head, and the camera zoomed in. Wiping the blood from her red lips with the back of their hand, she slightly lifted the corner of her mouth. Another bite! With that, soaring high notes filled the air, and the title was stamped at the bottom of the screen. [Lets Spend the Night Remix Ver. Arranged by: Kang Ichae] Arranged by Kang Ichae? Wow, this song is totally different? The original Lets Spend the Night, a solo female track, was a hit song that gained immense poprity for its girl crush image because of its metaphoric lyrics and risqu yet powerful choreography. Even the Noeul, who was still a high school senior, often listened to the song without fully understanding its meaning. The basic melody seemed the same, but everything else waspletely different. [Wow, theyre pouring horror into it] [Daebak] [Is this really Lets Spend the Night???] She hadnt expected Lea Purple, who had been pursuing a pure power image, to go so far inpletely shedding their image with this stage. Stunned, she was glued to the screen without realizing her mouth was agape. The camera then cut to The Dawn, having shed their ck rider jacket for a white cape that barely covered their thighs. Centered on stage, Seo Hoyun ran his thumb across his lips as the highlight of Lets Spend the Night resonated in the background. Give me a Kiss! Its starting! [Hey, hold on] [Aaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] The much-feared cob was finally beginning. [Vampire concept is out, damn it!!!!] And it was a steady concept that idols were bound to try at least once!! It was sexy, but the concept had taken apletely different direction, and not only the fans of Lea Purple but also the Noeuls were totally excited. [I must be getting rewarded for living so kindly] [Oh, Santa, this girl wants to thank you very much] Both groups were standing at opposite ends of the stage, and the moment Lea Purples main vocalist added a humming sound to match the music box, Seo Hoyun walked slowly towards the camera. Tonight, Ill show you the secret Ive been hiding. Seo Hoyun!! If the Kismet stage began with Seong Jiwons clear voice and his pure, wistful expression, the cob stage was dominated by Seo Hoyuns pale skin, cool expression, and his husky, low voice, which greatly enhanced the immersion into the concept. With every step he took forward, the other members stepped aside and bowed their bodies in session. Ooh Hoo Hoo Ohh On the opposite side, Lea Purples maknae matched steps with Seo Hoyun and fixed their gaze on the camera. It was as if they were reflections in a mirror. [Wow what are they doing] [Awesome like a mirror so smart with the choreography Absolutely no touch intended] Even though the horror concept and eerie sound somewhat neutralized the sexiness, the sticky choreography of the original song couldnt be avoided. Kim Seonghyeon was sitting in front of the practice room mirror, pondering, when Lea Purples main dancer suggested carefully (while still following the quarantine rules): Lets try to match the choreography as if we are reflecting each other in a mirror. That, that way, even if were apart, we can still create something beautiful, right? Im in. Seo Hoyun immediately responded with satisfaction to the ingenious idea, a behind-the-scenes tidbit of this stage. No more thoughts of running away. Meanwhile, the other members set up formations as if they were lost in a maze, spaced apart from each other. There was absolutely no physical contact between them. [The formation is beautiful] [Right Theyve divided the two groups into immortals and mortals What?!?!?! Good observation] It was exactly as the Noeuls had said. The members of the two groups were divided into those who were vampires and those who were not. Please hold me tight, I long for your tight embrace. Whenever the vampires approached, the humans were choreographed to scatter in all directions. At first nce, the choreography appeared chaotic, yet it was carefully crafted, with each movement thoughtfully arranged to ensure an impactful visual presentation. [Jeong Dajun really pulls off the tinum blonde hair it suits him incredibly well] [Hes a puppy, but when he dances, the atmospherepletely changes If Im to get a bit carried away, it feels like hes whispering to take his hand and run away from the world together Ah, right? The puppy looks like hed whisper about ying hooky ] The stage was packed, and the slightly different choreographies showcased in just the right ces made it feel even more splendid. Moreover, thanks to the vampire concept, it was easy to ovey a different meaning onto the original lyrics. Babe, Give me a Kiss, Kiss! Let me Bite, Bite! (Ah-) Judging by the lyrics and the stage setup, it seemed like a lonely soul yearning for love, but deep down, it was really about a strong desire for tonights prey. To borrow the Noeuls words, it was as if the immortals had a primal instinct that went beyond affection for the mortals, while the mortals hopelessly fell for the immortals, yearning to be one with them. Babe, Pleasee to me, I want to fill this thirst with you. And it seems they outright changed any lyrics that were too much to handle. The harmony between Seong Jiwon and Lea Purples main vocals was perfectly in sync. In the original song, this would have been the moment for the chorus and the backup dancers to present a steamy dance routine. But in this performance, Kim Seonghyeon took center stage alone, while the rest of the members formed a triangr formation, dancing to the mirror concept. Kim Seonghyeon ran his fingers through his hair, biting his lip in a moment of tension Every night, I am lonely, longing for your tight embrace. And then it began. [KIJUL] The climax of the sexy concept [Seonghyeonaahhh, dont twist your waist like thaaat] They tweaked the pair dance into a solo and incorporated popping into sections that could have be awkward, creating a refined yet restrained sexiness. [Wow, Kim Seonghyeon, are you fucking crazy?] [Is it because his limbs are long? Everything is so heavy yet light, clean yet mboyant, it doesnt make sense, how is this even possible?] [Ah, please just take a year off and keep doing sexy concepts!!!!!!] And it wasnt just because they were Noeuls, but Kim Seonghyeon, who was famous for his dancing, really elevated the quality of the performance by anchoring it from the center. Please hold me tight (Ah-) Once Kim Seonghyeons solo part ended, Lea Purple stepped aside, leaving The Dawn alone in the center of the stage. Seo Hoyun entered with a stride full of confidence. When your hands wrap around my waist. He and Kim Seonghyeon performed the same choreography side by side, with Seo Hoyun tilting his head slightly while flicking his fingers. This heart that falls helplessly for you. Seo Hoyun-aah!!! [Damn it] [Hey Seo Hoyun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] Even though he was usually kind to fans, when he was with the members, he always responded with What, why, what do you want me to do?! But because he was an idol, he even had to do these sexy concepts! At times like this, the high school Noeul was shouting thanks to Daepaseong Entertainment for casting Seo Hoyun. [Seo Hoyun, youre so annoying, if youre not going to marry me, then ah!!!] Besides, Seo Hoyun, who had barely escaped being a klutz, his dance lines didnt fall short at all even though he was right next to Kim Seonghyeon. Why? [What the heck, why is he dancing so well?!?!] In reality, it looked good because S-ranked dancer Kim Seonghyeon asionally matched Seo Hoyuns off-beat moves. It was the leaders incredible ability to adjust his moves for a bad dancer. Yet the fans, caught up in the heat of the moment, praised Seo Hoyun without knowing any better. Weve waited long enough, now take my hand, Yes Please, you know youre feeling good right now. Moreover, Seo Hoyun made up for his mediocre dance skills with his facial expressions that so-mehow pulling up the quality of the performance. The moment his downcast gaze and slight smile were caught on camera, the reactions red up once again. [Shouldnt this kid subject to censorship? Oh damn, to be so pure yet sexy was actually possible.] I long to be wrapped up in you. Kim Seonghyeon often nagged Seo Hoyun about his dancing, and Seo Hoyun likewise teased Kim Seonghyeon for his acting Their strengths and weaknesses were so clear that the bickering duo eventually agreed to cover for each other as best as they could, and it was sessful. The stage lights where Lea Purple was standing went out, and with a click, a red light illuminated the area where Kang Ichae and Seong Jiwon stood. Kang Ichae, with a meaningful and somewhat criminal smile, began the newly inserted rap. I dont wanna show you tonight, I wanna let you go, but I hold you tight, Even when Im fickle, I intensely want you. Kang Ichae licked his lower lip slightly and yfully narrowed his eyes. My love, I will give you a bite, So when our eyes meet,e over to me. And just like that, as if joking, he took Seong Jiwons hand and they danced. Lets dance! Then, with a sharp finger snap, the lights on another stage turned on. Babe Give me a Kiss, Kiss! Let me Bite, Bite. The Dawns performance ended, and it was time for Lea Purples solo stage to begin. The group, already known for their intense yet pure power dances, hit every fast-paced, intricately divided choreography move with precision. Every night Im lonely Ah- Yes, Please hold me tight. Around this time, the high school Noeul, regardless of fandom, was screaming at the TV. Especially when Lea Purple performed a couple wave dance within the group, the viewers response was so overwhelming it felt deafening even through the screen. [Waaaaah what the heck] [Wow, Lea Purple really killed it wow. wow. How is their music spectrum so broad I didnt know] As if it was nned, humans and vampires paired up to dance, and as the song neared its end, the vampires of Lea Purple bit the humans. At the same time, a full shot of the stage was shown on the screen, and as the Lea Purple members twisted their bodies violently, transforming from humans into vampires, they then stood in a line and slowly walked toward the center of the stage, matching the slowing beat. Also happening simultaneously, The Dawn also walked slowly from the opposite side of the stage, mirroring the formation and adding more harmony. Weve waited long enough, now take my hand, Yes Please, you know youre feeling good right now. Wow Thats really clever. The lyrics seemed only slightly altered, but how perfectly they matched the concept. The high school Noeul grabbed the cushion that had been tossed on the floor and focused on the song as it neared the end. Slowly reaching the center, The Dawns members and the approaching Lea Purples members sat down in the middle of the stage, facing each other. At the same time, the chilling sound of a music box yed, and everyones head turned to the left. Except for Seo Hoyun. What the? Kyaaah-! Just like the opening, a scream was heard. That was the signal, and everyone bent their waists and stretched out their bodies smoothly but Seo Hoyun remained standing. Tonight, Ill show you Seo Hoyun brushed his face with his hand, then moved away from the other members and approached the camera. Under the slowly changing blue lights and looking a bit tired, he wiped the corners of his eyes and sang the same lyrics as the first verse. the secret Ive been hiding. Thump. And then the stage lights went out. What what the? [OMG OMG OMG] [Wasnt thatst part eerie???] The high school Noeul, too, couldnt figure out why it ended like this. Scratching her head, she browsed through various onlinemunities, and soon interpretations started popping up on Twitter. [Lets unleash our wild theories, go] And the interpretations went like this: [The First & Last Music Box=Something that immortals react to The music box also rang out in the very first opening, and that could be interpreted as the smell of blood They turned their heads to the scent of blood, but Seo Hoyun alone did not turn.] Arghhh!! Is this it?! The high school senior Noeuls heart raced as she quickly scrolled down. [>Tonight, Ill show you the secret Ive been hiding< Seo Hoyun initially pretended to be a vampire, but in fact, he was human until the end, so he couldnt smell the blood] [At first, Seo Hoyun frowned when he sawLea Purple bing a vampire, but then he turned away. Seo Hoyun is a hunter, and it can be assumed that he nned to hunt all the members from the start.] [But??? Why?? Was Seo Hoyun annoyed? Recalling the part where Kim Seonghyeon danced in the center > Every night, I am lonely, longing for your tight embrace< As the lyrics suggest, Kim Seonghyeon was no longer human and was looking for his prey.] [And then Seo Hoyun joined in the pair dance = expressing his desire to also be immortal.] [Seo Hoyun wavered a bit and fell into self-loathing, but in the end, he finished the hunt, regardless of the oue.] Wow, seriously This is intense. In the end, perhaps because the cob stage was so shocking, neither Noeul nor the fans of Lea Purple could pay attention to any other performance that followed. Seo Hoyun, overall in-charge; Lee Jihyeon, the nner. Enrich the narrative by tying the provocative lyrics to a vampire theme, all the while preserving the core sexy concept. Crucially, avoid any physical contact between the two groups. Most importantly, craft the concept to be so captivating and startling that it would keep the interpretation addicts buzzing with theories right up to the end. Too busy with interpretations to even bring up scandal talks. [Hmm?? Then why didnt the youngest realize at first that when they were walking together, Hoyun was an ordinary person? In my opinion, they knew and assisted, wanting to turn an ordinary person into a vampire But it seems like they were betrayed at the end.] [I think Sumin knew but didnt care so long as she died alongside Silri Argh argh screaming Otaku-style Anyway, its just such an amazing performance, I want to see it again ] Idol fans, well-versed in various lore, were furiously unraveling interpretations. Lee Jihyeon, who left breadcrumbs without a special ending, stirred up a hot reaction by topping the sexy concept with horror. Meanwhile, those with locked ounts were very satisfied that there was absolutely no touching involved in the choreography. [I keep reying it, and they really dont touch even once (Video) The mirror dance is really smart] Even though the members dating werent dating anybody in real life, there had been too many rumors and hurtfulments for the mere fact that male and female idols were seen and working together. [Just following quarantine rules, except for the maze dance, they never got closer than 1 meter Everyone looks so pleased, its hrious, seriously Truly satisfying.] Fortunately, talks of scandals did not gain any traction, for the concept and choreography itself were so beautifully executed that the fandom smiled contentedly at the hot response. [Ah, Daepaseong Entertainment is doing a good job these days~~~] [You get a lot of delusions, dont you? (Laughter)] [What about Lea Purples agency? Theyre not really up to par, not evenparable to Daepaseong Ah That much, huh? Fighting Lea Purple] Fans of Lea Purple, wanting them to leave their agency, were able to rx from the tension of the cob with satisfaction. If nner Lee Jihyeon knew, she would have been incredibly proud. Chapter 127 Chapter 127 Great work everyone! Yes, great work. After finishing the stage, Lea Purple excitedly chatted away, ncing at the camera now and then. The audience reaction was really amazing just now! Thank you!! Keuuu!! Bluetooth is the best, the best! It seemed that the tension had lessened, and their usual way of speaking was slipping out. Before we scattered to our respective vans backstage, everyone exchanged bows, bending at a 90-degree angle with impable manners. After changing clothes, touching up makeup, and returning to our designated spots, our eyes did not meet even by one degree. It was intentional, considering that international fans, despite having no ill intentions and because of theck of guidance, might unknowingly edit and circte the footage on YouTube. Therefore, it was best not to get entangled in such things. Its going to get even hotter for them. I was certain of it, given their perfect professionalism and skill. Lea Purple was going to do much better in the future as long as their agency didnt screw it up. [Quest Complete! Sessfullyplete the cob stage with Lea Purple! You have elicited an overwhelming response from the audience with your quality performance. You have been awarded 5,000 points.] One hurdle crossed. As I uncapped a water bottle on the table and took a drink, the members seemed not tired at all but instead appeared eager for the next stage. Man, its really the best to finish up early and wait. When are the ck Call-sunbaeing out? Probablyst? Theyll go in after a cob with White Cherry-sunbae. A year-end stage in full view of all the viewers~ and with an ex-girlfriend~. Can this really be happening? Thinking about my own situation made me shiver, but I wasnt particrly worried since this was all Joo Woosungs karma. The entertainment industry is really cruel. Hmm? Seong Jiwon turned his head toward me, but I just waved my hand and shifted my gaze to the stage. Since it wasnt my concern, I decided to just enjoy the wait. The stages after us were for idol groups with a few years under their belt, so most of them were of decent quality. How popr would you have to be to perform at that point in the schedule? While I was recalling the currently active groups, a system window popped up before my eyes. Ding! [Special! sh Sale! Real-time Monitoring Service Offered!! Would you like to activate it for 486 points?] Whats this? Huh? Hoyun, what were you saying? Ah, no never mind. Whats with the 486 points? Howe you have features that seemed perfect for my generation? I wished I had known about this feature earlier. Remembering the Narcissism article they showed me before the drama shooting, I pressed approve. [Real-time Monitoring Service has started.] Then, reactions popped up in front of me like a live chat window. [Guys, its just over, its over, we dont even need to watch the next stage] [Honestly, the next stage doesnt even catch my eye Ah, has a (rookie) neer ever been this good~] [Honestly, The Dawn should be treated as neers, its such a shame they cant get the Rookie of the Year award Discovery of the Year Award Actually, Ive been drinking kimchi soup] [Congrattions to The Dawn for winning Discovery of the Year I thought it would be tough since there were strong contenders this year, but it was really amazing. The other nominees also did great!! Whats that? Seos winning tactic technique #LetsGo I thought for a moment they won it] Everyone thinks the same. Discovery of the Year Award. It was an award that could be given to a group that, even if not a rookie within the year, had garnered the most attention as a new act. I turned to look at the members who were linking arms and cheerfully bouncing around without any expectations of winning. They didnt seem to anticipate winning the award at all. Well, whatever Let them get flustered so they would end up crying on camera. Just then, cheers erupted. Waaaaah! Right before the end of the first part, the next presenter took the stage. I knew who it was from the lineup, but it left a sour taste in my mouth to see them again. Really Its like theyre tantly saying, Were from the samepany that organized this event. Hello, Im Yu Jia. And Im Min Jiheon. They were cast members from Please Take the Camera. The main investor of the awards show was one of the investors of Please Take the Camera. It was one thing to be involved, but they had stered drama-rted personnel all over the ceremony. Moreover, because of the dramas immense poprity, they seemed to have coordinated the outfits of Yu Jia and Min Jiheon to some degree in order to push them as the representative couple. [The cast of Please Take the Camera seems to be really popr.] Amidst appropriate jokes, they asionally exchanged shy smiles and soft gazes, engaging in brief talks. Indeed, they exuded a professional demeanor. [Yu Jia is a god.] [Min Jiheons halo;; Hes really euaaaaaak] [Ttaaaaaak, God] [Euaaaaaak, our precious bunny!!!!!!] Me? Oh~, youre on the screen, hyung. At Kang Ichaes words, I looked up and sure enough, my face was on the screen. Umm Although I still couldnt quite ept the nickname bunny, I still waved with a smile on my face. Then, from somewhere marked by ring blue triangles, cheers erupted. I could see Min Jiheon, who had been producing a hopeless romance at the stage, sneak a smile in this direction. Now, we will announce the Discovery of the Year award. Yes. The camera panned over to us and a few other nominees. Min Jiheon, who had been holding the envelope the entire time, opened it to reveal the card inside and slightly lifted the corners of his mouth. It seems the award is going to someone with deep ties to us. ! [Euaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa] [No way, no way, no way, no way] Drama enthusiast Jeong Dajun was startled and looked at me. The Discovery of the Year award goes to Stop it. Keep your expression in check. Dont look this way. The Dawn! Congrattions! [Euaaaaaaaaaaaak!!!!!!!!!!!!!] [The Seo Hoyun tactic worked, shit!!!!!!!!!!] Messages flooded in so fast, I could no longer see. Then, as if by some graciousness of the system, all the pop-up windows disappeared, clearing my view to the stage. Us? Is it really us?!? Yeah! Us!! Its us! It was an unexpected yet not entirely certain oue. As I internally thanked the fans who voted, I patted my members on the back and stood up. Hey, we should go. It cant be real No, its real enough. I muttered in my head in response to Jeong Dajuns murmur, while earnestly bowing to the congrattions around me as I made my way up to the stage. Congrattions! Congrattions to The Dawn, you truly deserve it~!! The dazzling lights shining on us contrasted with the people mechanically pping in the darkness. About half were genuinely happy for us, the other half offered smooth smiles just for show. Ah. Even for a rtively minor award, it was clear. The burning curiosity andpetitive gazes on how a nobody from a small agency had suddenly risen to fame were palpable. This is it. Thats why it felt even better. I climbed onto the stage with a fresh smile. Yu Jia was the first to approach and handed me flowers with a bright smile. Next to her, Min Jiheon was just smiling sweetly. Congrattions. Thank you. We exchanged calm greetings and lined up side-by-side. Then, taking the microphone from Min Jiheon, Kim Seonghyeon examined the trophy in his hands before slowly starting his speech. Uh, yeah [Is Water Dumpling starting again?] [Still, its great. Kim Seonghyeon doesnt cry now. I actually wish he would cry every time.] Seemingly still dazed by the award, Kim Seonghyeon couldnt take his eyes off the trophy. Hello, we are The Dawn. I was very happy to attend the year-end stage for the first time I had no idea wed receive such a meaningful award. The eptance speech began as usual, listing everyone from the not-so-grateful CEO to the staff in the order that theyre usually thanked. Of course, I had to acknowledge the contributions of the recently hard-working manager and the nning team led by Lee Jihyeon. and the Noeuls. Shouts filled the air. The love I receive still feels like a dream. I will continue to work hard to be someone worthy of the expectations you all have for me. As expected of God Seonghyeon. Thank you! Watching the long-awaited Light Seonghyeon, God Seonghyeon moment, I nodded with satisfaction. As expected, Seonghyeons eyes were brimming with tears. Next to him, a bird was trying its best not tough, and soon the microphone passed to Kang Ichae. Hi, we would like to thank all of you. [Wow] It seemed the speech was repeated in English because of the many international fans watching the ceremony. Indeed, every group should have at least one member who could speak English well. [OMG I knew Kang Ichae can speak well, but to hear it like this damn the low tone and the slow pace is so sexy] [What the fuck, Kang Ichae is killing it] [What? Ichae, why so good? Heard he studied abroad but no one really knows where could be self-taught That pronunciation cant be from being self-taught; its native-level] They said he studied abroad at an early age, but even I didnt know where. Even thepany had no clue. While half-listening to Kang Ichaes speech, Jeong Dajun was staring nkly ahead, slightly out of focus. Especially Noeul, who always support us. [Ah, in the middle of this, Jeong Dajun already given up so cute for real the more Ichae speaks the more he zones out Hey, you need to be a world star, just set your mind to it] Anyway, as the speech wasing to an end, other reactions started toe in. They were general impressions of the Discovery of the Year Award. [Huhu Im tearing up ] [Im not jealous of the Grand Prize, no Actually, I am Actually, Im not, The Dawn is the best!!!!!] [Me too I suddenly feel like crying Theyre just like professional idols, so proud and they really struggled since their debut this award is so meaningful Geez, Im not their mom but Im so emotional.] Its okay. I managed to put on a public face and responded as sincerely as possible. Just then, I felt a sudden poke at my side. Turning my head absent-mindedly with a scrunched nose, I was met with the emotional faces of the members, half overwhelmed, half moved, including a sobbing Kim Seonghyeon. Among them, Kang Ichae was extending the microphone towards me. It seemed like everything had been said, what more did they want me to say? Hey, its not my turn yet. Clearly, everyone was out of their minds. Well, maybe. Just a brief thanks to the Noeuls I epted the microphone. Since all the thanks to the staff andpany had been said upfront, I was thinking of expressing my gratitude to the Noeuls, even if briefly, when Ding! The ominous rm went off. Frozen for a moment, I nced at the system window. [- Aigo, this is an award worthy of Hoyunie -What a beautiful night. To the Noeuls, cheers. -Our Noeuls, baby bunny Hoohoohoo loves you very much] Fuck! Fuck! So thats why it didnt show up. And here I thought this bastard was considerate enough to not do any forced dialogue based on TPO, but no, this motherfucker![1] My hand holding the mic trembled with rage. I could see Seong Jiwon tilting his head slightly with a puzzled look. I felt I couldnt dy any longer. Though it had been less than 3 seconds, it felt like an eternity. Eventually, I failed to choose the dialogue, and my mouth moved on its own. Our Noeuls. Baby bunny my ass!! Even without looking in a mirror, I could feel the blood drain from my face. As my mouth tried to spit out the next line against my will Baby b urk. I bit my tongue hard. Ouch!! Barely! I barely stopped it!! This was a formal asion. The thought that if I finished this line, it wouldnt just be cringe-worthy but a colossal disaster, allowed me, with a desperate will, to stop myself from speaking further. Hoob erm, gulp, Im so, so sorry, no, thank you. Being able to receive this award today is all thanks to the Noeuls. However, I couldnt stop the first word froming out, and the camera having captured my visible pain, I had to continue my speech with my head bowed down. Ding! [Ouch, that must hurt ah ] [He actually stopped his dialogue! Epic!] [Ah, sorry but its hrious Kudos to that willpower] For the record, these were not reactions from the monitoring service. [Ah, taking deep breaths] [Ah] [Thanks to you, Imughing again today. I feel a bit sorry for the pain, hope your tongue heals fast ] [Embarrassing History Log +1] You, I swear one day Im going to give you a taste of your own medicine. Even as I ground my teeth, I was hit with a sudden realization, pleased that I managed to intercept the baby rabbits lines. What if I had actually said it just now, right here? I wouldve definitely tossed the script and everything aside, instantly lighting up an entire pack of those cigarettes I had given up. Suppressing my frustration, I quickly passed the mic and turned to leave the stage, only to meet Min Jiheons gaze, who was staring back in silent surprise. Ah, yes. Congrattions. Uh. Really, congrattions, The Dawn! I look forward to your future endeavors. Unable to continue beyond congrattions, Min Jiheon was cut off by Yu Jia, who quickly snatched the moment to finish the sentiment. Meanwhile, I quickly bowed my head again and moved away. Beside me, Kim Seonghyeon, who had been sniffing, noticed something. He put his hand on my shoulder and whispered quietly, Theres no way you were nervous. Did you make some sort of bet with Kang Ichae? Your ears are burning up. Is there blooding from my tongue? ? No?? I stuck out my tongue to show him and, despite frowning, Kim Seonghyeon shook his head side to side. It didnt taste like blood, but it hurt so much I had to ask, just in case. Did you bite it? Why on earth? Kim Seonghyeon, unable to grasp why I was putting on a solo act, tilted his head. Kang Ichae, who would have usually teased me with glee, looked at me with wonder. Hyung, um sometimes, I really dont get you. Ichae, sometimes life is just hard for hyung. Yeah And with that warm consideration, he patted my back. Lets just say it was a bet I made Ill do that for you. Hearing Kang Ichaes words, Kim Seonghyeons eyes wavered. He muttered something about why I would bite my tongue if there was no bet made. Somehow, I managed to get off the stage without making eye contact with anyone, while Jeong Dajun was ecstatically cing the trophy that Kim Seonghyeon handed him on top of his head and running down like a puppy. [Wow Im seeing Seo Hoyun stutter for the first time. Mustve been flustered to get the award suddenly, our bunny ] I was flustered, alright. Afraid I might lose my human dignity [Looks like he bit his tongue Tell us the end, Im curious. Are our Noeuls babies?? Do you cherish them?? No way, theres no chance Hoyun would say something like that in such a situation Thats true.] [I was moved just a moment ago, but now the tears are gone. Its natural, such a rare moment of fluster is making me cry out right now Seeing a flustered Min Jiheon is almost a first too Seo Hoyun really gets flustered. Well make sure you get more awards ] Ha Maybe it was time to ask the system to turn off this service. It seemed to be the first time I was taking a hit from the real-time reactions. I hugged the trophy Jeong Dajun handed me and trudged back to my seat. But not long after my butt hit the chair, I had to stand up again. Best OST of the Year! Not me, of course. Please Take the Cameras OST, Humble Confession by Seong Jiwon! Congrattions! It was Seong Jiwon. [1] TPO Time, ce, asion Chapter 128 Chapter 128 Screams erupted among the fans. [Aaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!] [Wowowowowow this is totally unexpected fuck fuck fuck Aaaah Jiwon-aaaaah] Could this really be happening? Uhhhh??? Seong Jiwon!! Its you, you! Me? Really me? An excited Kim Seonghyeon grabbed Seong Jiwons shoulders and shook him. Jiwon had been a nominee, but he had never expected to receive an award for the Please Take the Camera OST; he was genuinely surprised. Go on, hurry. Ah, uh. As the members pushed him forward, Seong Jiwon, finally snapping back to his senses, repeatedly bowed amid the pouring apuse while ascending the stage. He was smiling, but the members, who had been with him almost 24/7, could tell otherwise. Jiwons face was filled with question marks. By the time he stood in front of the microphone, he seemed to have calmed down a bit and looked okay. Congrattions, Mr. Seong Jiwon! Yu Jia handed him flowers, and Min Jiheon gave him the trophy. When he received the flowers, Jiwon had such a moved expression that he didnt know what to do with himself. It probably didnt mean much, yet it reminded me of Jiwon pping fervently when Yu Jia appeared during Shining Star. Th-thank you. Im Seong Jiwon. I really didnt expect to receive this award um, Im truly happy. While Jiwon gave his eptance speech, the members beside me bounced around excitedly. On the outside, I wore a soft smile, but on the inside, my mind was racing. Seong Jiwon winning the Best OST Award? Could The Dawns poprity alone secure an OST award? No, not Jiwon by himself. This year, the dramas and OSTs had generally flopped. Please Take the Camera was a bit of an exception, thanks to its excellent script by Kim Sukhui and its already solid fanbase. However, the dramas high ratings werergely due to the hard carry of Min Jiheon and Yu Jias acting skills. As a result, the song Humble Confession remained constantly at the top of the charts. Moreover, it was the song that yed every time Min Jiheon cried in the drama, often marking the end of the episode. Does that mean it gained some poprity along with the dramas recognition? Hmm. My thoughts were slightly drifting elsewhere, however. This was because the camera work had been too obvious. Min Jiheon and Yu Jia presenting the award, Please Take the Camera OST, and asional glimpses of me, the one ying the role of PD Lee Jeonghun. Is this rigged? I didnt know how they did it. But it certainly seemed like some trickery was afoot, even if vote maniption felt like a stretch. From the beginning, it was pretty clear that there was no intention to hide the bias towards Please Take the Camera, especially when Min Jiheon, just before announcing the Discovery of the Year winner, mentioned someone with deep ties to us. It feels shady. Im really happy. Ill work even harder to be a Seong Jiwon you can be proud of. Lets not ruin this! I brushed away my thoughts, seeing Jiwons embarrassed smile. So what! I had long since sold my conscience to hell. When given, one must eagerly ept. Jiwons Humble Confession had done well on the music charts, and the OST awards given to idols had been scarcetely, so I decided to quickly bury this matter. As I was finalizing my thoughts and about to turn my head, I locked eyes with Kang Ichae. He seemed to share my thoughts as he was smiling slyly. Im happy. = This is a push, right? Must be, right? = Of course, yeah. While exchanging nces with Ichae, Jiwon finished his speech and returned to his seat. He spoke well on the stage, but once seated, he tilted his head, still looking puzzled. Ichae and I quickly changed our expressions and congratted Jiwon, Congrattions. Oh, thank you! Thanks to a good lead vocal,posers like me can make a living~. Ahaha. Jiwon looked down and fiddled with the flower petals. There was no need to exin the situation to Jiwon. Even if he knew, it wouldnt change anything; an award was still an award. Above all Its really nice. Yeah? Yes. How could I tell someone who cherished the flowers and smiled so tenderly? Normally, Jiwon would have been quick to catch on to why he received the award, but right now, he just smiled, his face flushed with excitement. He might find out eventually, but there was no need for that to be today. Wow, the attention is no joke. Discovery of the Year Award, and now the Best OST Award. Even those who were skeptical before were starting to turn envious. Regardless, I continued chatting away with Jiwon. If youre jealous, you should work tirelessly and earn awards like I do. If you havent received an award, then better hold your tongues, you punks. Anyway, the members enthusiastically enjoyed the rest of the performances while still hugging the trophy. After a brief intermission, the second half came to an end. The stage plunged into darkness. Yet, the fans, quick to notice, screamed excitedly once more. It was time for the cob stage between the hottest idol groups, ck Call and White Cherry. You drive me crazy Please tell me, whether this is love, No, this might be cmity. It was a given that the biggest cheer came when Joo Woosung, who had been on a rolltely (well, not like they needed to keep riding the wave with their sess), appeared on the big screen. The ceaseless fireworks, its almost like fate. Their knife-like choreography is killer. They really didnt need to worry about scandals. With their overwhelming talent, they didnt need to strategize like me. It was a performance that could enchant anyone who saw it. Both ck Call and White Cherry were already top-tier idol groups. Plus, they had done countless co-ed cobs during their active periods, so their fandoms werent easily shaken either. As if to prove my thoughts, the reactions popping up in the system window were generally favorable. [Wow theres a reason why everyones all about Joo Woosung, for real] [That guy was he born to be an idol? How could he get even better than six months ago?] [ White Cherrys live performance is insane. How can it be better than a recording I freaking love this unnie Always clinging to the members off stage but totally dominating on stage Theres a reason their group name is White Cherry] [This years cobs are all legendary The Dawn & Lea Purple, ck Call & White Cherry The showdown of the century between the Aegyo Machine and Kim Bokbap[1] So Hoyuns is one thing, but now Joo Woosung is just a food item? ] As the EX-grade ending pose hit the big screen, the members, who had been holding their breath during the performance, finally exhaled in relief amid the roaring cheers. Wow, that was truly amazing. How do they do that? Even Kang Ichae was stroking his chin in admiration, his eyes sparkling. Next to him, Jeong Dajun nodded vigorously, but then tilted his head in confusion. Wasnt the atmosphere a bit tense when they came down? Really? Maybe its because of the songs concept? Obviously. It was bound to get tense if you were on the same stage as your ex. Live a little kinder, Joo Woosung. If someone like me was telling you that, then you know it was serious. At that moment, as I was drinking from a water bottle on the table, I locked eyes with someone. I naturally turned my head, and so did the other person, as if they happened to look my way. Right. As I closed the bottle cap, I thought to myself, Wouldnt it be strange if there were no incidents at an awards ceremony? . . . After the year-end performances were over and we returned to the van, I changed intofortable clothes and stepped outside. Making the excuse that I had to run an errand, I headed to the restroom, which was some distance away from the parking lot, and soon someone followed me in. Good work out there. Ah, you too. It was that male idol who had been involved in a scandal with Lea Purple. Was it his third no, fourth year since debut? I think his name was Yoon Heeun. He seemed moreposed than I expected. Waiting for him to speak first, I turned on the water at the sink to wash my hands and scanned the restrooms interior. No one else was around, and as for recording Ding! [No people nearby, no recording, no filming! All clear!] It would have been nice to use this feature sooner. I clicked my tongue softly and roughly pulled out a paper towel. Then, as I slowly wiped my hands dry, the guy leaning casually against the sink finally started the conversation. I saw your cob and performance. It was really impressive. Ah, really? Congrattions on the award, too. Thank you. I answered nonchntly. Just as I was about to leave, without even the courtesy of saying I also enjoyed your performance, he blocked my way, looking slightly flustered. Um Seo Hoyun-hoobae. Yes? I turned around with an innocently ignorant expression. Do you have time for me to ask something? Just five minutes. Sure, go ahead. I replied with a touch of reluctance, causing Yoon Heeuns eyebrows to twitch, but soon he let out a nonchnt smile. I sized him up as I watched him. Well-groomed hair, stylish look, smooth demeanor. Hes calm, but Do you have Composer Lim Hyeonsus contact information? ? I stared nkly at him without answering, and Yoon Heeunughed awkwardly, pretending to be embarrassed. Ahaha, I mean, I could get it through someone else, but I thought it would be easiest to contact her through you. ? With all the controversy about giarism and whatnot, I heard theposer is quite sensitive these days. They say if you contact her directly, she mightpletely cut off the music. Ah, Lim Hyeonsu. At that, I scratched my cheek lightly. So, it hade to this. I had expected the bacsh to be intense, but given how small the industry was, word traveled fast. Cant be helped. Its her karma. No news was good news, as they said. I started off thinking about Lim Hyeonsu, whos probably enduring countless moments of disillusionment in California and energetically wandering in search of love. But why through me? Ah, Seo Hoyun-hoobae has received quite a few songs from theposer. Yes. And you know what else? What? Yoon Heeun shed a smile, seemingly indifferent. A smile that was smooth yet crafted through numerous trials and errors, like a mask. A smile I had seen too often, one that made people feel filthy. You both are special, you know. I have someone whos been helping me out, but its not enough. Thepany has been making all sorts of proposals, but none of them really appeal to me; Im getting tired of them. If anything, Id prefer something that reflects a bit of my own style. I stared at him as I yed with the corners of my mouth. Ah, so what youre saying, sunbae, is Uh-huh? You think I prostituted myself to get those songs, and now youre itching to do the same? I chuckled, rephrasing his words in my mind. But my true feelings were different. This is bullshit It had been a while since I had heard this kind of talk. Even during my PD days, I often heard whispers about me using my pretty face to get work or, conversely, about them pushing their offers onto me. But those talks would always vanish when they faced me directly. After gaining some recognition, I made sure no one in a so-called higher position could bring up such nonsense in front of me. Disgusting. I finally understood the origin of that earlier smile. It was born from the disgusting difort of feeling that one more step forward would plunge me into a sticky mud pit. If you want to talk that lowly, then go ahead, why dont you? Yoon Heeun smoothed out his slightly furrowed brow and gave a brief nod. There arent many reasons for a sudden rise in this industry. Watching the awards today, I became certain of it. So, I thought Seo Hoyun-hoobae might be the same. Well, I went through it too. I took a bit of a hit after the scandal with Lea Purple. I stared at him for a moment, then pulled out my phone. Oh, quick on the uptake. Yoon Heeun smiled broadly, perhaps thinking I was going to nicely contact someone for him. Thanks. Next time, Ill tell you about something even better. Ignoring his words, I pressed the numbers deliberately for him to see and then raised the phone to my ear. Yeah, hello~! ?! Hello, Ms. Composer. Yoon Heeuns face, in front of me, twitched with confusion. What, whats going on? Ah, its nothing much Im here with Yoon Heeun-sunbae, and he asked me something. But it seems like a question thats hard to answer on my own. I tugged the corner of my mouth into a smile. He asked if I got my songs through sponsorship? !! Yoon Heeunsplexion turned pale in an instant. I didnt care. I brushed my falling bangs to the side and deliberately raised my voice, exaggerating my tone. Yeees? Are you crazy? Who the hell brings up such crap? Tell them to fuck off with their filthy words right now~!? Aigoo, guess I was wrong~. Sorry for dirtying your ears~. I snickered, ncing at Yoon Heeun. Nowpletely pale, he desperately snatched my phone. Oh dear. Composer! Hello, this is Yoon Heeun. I handed it over without much resistance, and he hastily answered the call. Was he worried hed never get another song? That thing I said earlier wasnt actually what I meant, that was. Yoon Heeun fumbled for excuses, then furrowed his brow slightly. After a long wait, he realized he couldnt hear the other persons voice. He blinked, realizing something was off, then pulled the phone from his ear and looked at the screen. Just the main screen with apps. It was not on a call. Meaning? Obviously. I hadnt called Lim Hyeonsu. Ahaha, sunbae, youre quite good at talking to yourself. Ah, am I the same? With my arms crossed, Iced my self-introduction with sarcasm. Yoon Heeun blinked at me a few more times, then began trembling. I snatched the cell phone from his hand and stuffed it into my pocket. Didnt you make the call? Of course, I didnt. Why would I tell such filthy stories to someone who was living the good life? Were you out of your mind? My acting skills have been on the risetely. Ha, seriously. At this point, dont I actually have a talent for acting? With such trivial thoughts, I fiddled with my ear. Have you resolved the misunderstanding now? Unlike you, sunbae, Im quite naive, so I feel a bit wronged when I hear such things. Lim Hyeonsu should remain blissfully unaware and enjoy a leisurely life in California. Only then can she return as a geniusposer and be at my disposal. I scanned Yoon Heeun up and down, hisplexion changing to all shades like a traffic light. Its true what they say, you only see what you want to see Lea Purple was to be pitied for even being rumored to be involved with this kind of guy. A sponsor? Funny joke. She wouldnt do such dirty things, you little fuck. Are you done with the call? Then Ill be on my way. Wow, seriously. As I sarcastically turned my head, Yoon Heeun, who had been grinding his teeth in frustration, shook his tightly clenched fist. But really, what could he do? He probably felt guilty himself, hence he couldnt record any audio or video. And now he was being cussed at by his junior for doing something deserving of it, so whats he going to do to me? I came here thinking there might be something substantial, but it turned out to be nothing more than an unamusing incident. Take care~. Not wanting to waste any more time, I tried to walk past him disdainfully, but Yoon Heeun burst into augh of disbelief. Like attracts like, for sure. ? The main vocal is quite something too My head turned slowly backward. As I let go of the bathroom doorknob and turned around, Yoon Heeun, lifting one corner of his mouth, muttered, Now thats an expression worth seeing. He continued. Daepaseong Entertainment is known for specializing in actors, isnt it? Is that why? Both of you are really good at pretending to be so naive. Was he implying that he had asked Seong Jiwon first? To that kid? I recalled Seong Jiwon from earlier today, smiling without giving away a thing while embracing a bouquet of flowers. To Seong Jiwon? To me it was okay, but to him? You had asked such a thing to someone ten years younger than me? My mind was gradually growing colder when Yoon Heeun ruffled his hair and scoffed. Why? Didnt you know? He was pretty sharp-tongued too. Hes good at ying coy too, I see. He walked past me toward the door, then stopped and deliberately added one more thing before he left. As if he hadnt done it already, ying all innocent. It seemed he meant that since Seong Jiwons formerpany had been D.go, it was obvious he must have done such a thing. I remembered Seong Jiwon stepping back with a troubled smile on his face a few weeks ago during a conversation about a fan issue and as my thoughts had reached that point, for the first time in forever, I felt my head spin. Bang. I flung open the bathroom door and stepped outside, staring nkly in the direction he had gone before heading to the parking lot. Just then, Kang Ichae, who had been lingering nearby, spotted me and approached. Hyung, I was looking for you. Is Seong Jiwon in the car? Ah. Ah. With just one word, Kang Ichae seemed to realize what I was about to say, and while rolling his eyes, he subtly asked, Did he finally? You know? I overheard it by chance. I didnt expect him to involve you too, though. Kang Ichae, with his hair still styled from earlier, scratched his head and crossed his arms as he faced me. I moved my lips slightly, watching him. I didnt want to share such filthy stories with Kang Ichae, and I wanted to ask why he pretended not to know but that wasnt what was important right now. Just as I was about to walk past him and have a calm conversation with Seong Jiwon, Kang Ichae quickly grabbed my arm. Stop, stop. As I looked down at my captured arm and twitched my eyebrows, Kang Ichae soothed me with a gentle smile. Dont go to Jiwon-hyung. What? He must have his reasons for not telling you, right? Dont go stirring up trouble for no reason. His choice of words irked me, but seeing Kang Ichaeughing so heartily and standing his ground like that, it seemed like there must be a good reason, so I couldnt help but stop. Sigh. After letting out a sigh, I gathered thest bit of my patience and pulled my arm from Kang Ichaes hand. Ichae-ah, Im not going to say anything to Seong Jiwon. Hmm? Hell let things slide unless I bring it up first. Thats why I just want to ask. Seong Jiwon was decisive. Objectively speaking, that was true. But to his members, he was also endlessly indulgent. It was Seong Jiwon who was the first and most supportive of our acting endeavors. He would alwaysugh things off for the sake of The Dawnfor the membersas if it was the most natural thing to do. So, how much had Seong Jiwon lost up until now? He was like that. Damned kind to the point of making me feel filthy. Oh I was taken aback by the sudden exmation in front of me. Um, hyung, it seems like youre seriously misunderstanding something. Looking up, I saw Kang Ichae touched his lips with aplex expression and muttered, Its true that Jiwon-hyung is unusually kind for his age, but hes not soft. ? Look at your face. If you had heard what Jiwon-hyung said when Yoon Heeun asked, youd be shocked. Kang Ichae scratched his cheek and then burst intoughter as he looked at me. It seems like Jiwon-hyung has been really good to you, huh? For you to think so highly of him. What he meant was that Seong Jiwon was selectively kind and soft to people. I wasnt sure what kind of expression I had, but Kang Ichae seemed to realize that I wouldnt say anything more to Seong Jiwon and slyly curled the corner of his mouth. Right? There must be a reason, so lets just leave it be. That quick-witted brat. I pressed my brow and swallowed a sigh. I walked past Kang Ichae, who seemed to catch on quickly despite his young age, and strode forward. Ichae followed closely behind. What could it be? What? I wonder what youre thinking to make such a face. What could it beee? even though he already knew. It wasnt just about not speaking to Seong Jiwon directly; I was also annoyed with Yoon Heeun, who had caused all sorts of misunderstandings and frustrations. I need to get back to my roots. I replied offhandedly, and Kang Ichae let out a forcedugh. Regardless, I needed to sort out where to start dealing with this mess as I continued walking. Lim Hyeonsu, Seong Jiwona double-whammy. Its quite something to be this fidgety in such a short amount of time. How long will it take? Having a backer meant it would take some time. Could I really fuck that bastard up? Even in the same mud pit, the stickier and filthier it was, the harder it was to blow it up. Especially if the backers power was great. But theres always a way. Always. [Wow.] I decided to contact Kim Jaeyeon as soon as I got back, all the while plotting a surefire n to screw over Yoon Heeun. [Poking Seo Hoyun, who has been quiet] Right. A person should live as theyve always lived. I had been soft before, but I decided to return to my roots and do what I do best. Kang Ichae muttered as if rhyming to himself, Our bunny is getting ready to cause a ruckus again. That meant an impending temper tantrum. [1] Bokbap is Korean for fried rice, so Kim Bokbap is a fun nod to kimchi fried rice. Dont forget, its Woosungs favorite! Chapter 129 Chapter 129 Paparazzi Kim Jaeyeon was living quite peacefully, if you overlook that he had been following Min Jiheonwho was broadening his influence beyond the Hallyu wave to the global stage through the OTT tformwith Please Take the Camerayet without any payoff. How can someone be like that? Min Jiheons daily routine was like that of a madman: piling up food to eat, helping out staff in trouble, giggling away, then suddenly transforming into someone else as he threw himself into acting. Home, set, home,pany, home, restaurant, restaurant, home That was all there was to it. He really is a genius. No wonder hes keeping Daepaseong Entertainment afloat. And now, another rising star has emerged from Daepaseong Entertainment none other than The Dawn. Or more precisely, it was Seo Hoyun, dragging The Dawn up by the scruff of its neck despite no one having any expectations or interest in them. How can someone be like that too?? Kim Jaeyeon sipped his hot Americano while fiddling with his phone. An idol no, even by ordinary peoples standards, he was no average Joe. What sane person would consider colluding with a paparazzi? The thought of Seo Hoyun still mentioning XX Construction with a smirk on his lips sent involuntary shivers down Kim Jaeyeons spine. So, Kim Jaeyeon decided to go along with whatever deal Seo Hoyun proposed. It wasnt as if he was at a loss either. Photos of Yoon Heeun at the hotel?? Yes. What are you going to do with them? Kim Jaeyeon took his phone from his ear for a moment and stared at the screen before scratching his head and continuing the conversation. Look, Seo Hoyun uh, thats all well and good, but usually people dont go into those ces together. Plus, even if you have such photos, its tough to make a ssh if the other partys a chaebol, and theres a high chance of bacsh unless youre trying to extort money from a chaebol or something. Oh, youre worried about me? Dont worry, Im not doing this to extort money. With that, Seo Hoyun briskly wrapped up his own matters and sinctly dictated what Kim Jaeyeon needed to do. As Kim Jaeyeon took a pen and notepad out of his pocket to jot down Seo Hoyuns instructions, he felt goosebumps rise on his arms. And for good reason Were you a paparazzi before bing an idol? Are you crossing the line? This was because his tactics were indistinguishable from those of a professional paparazzi. First, match Yoon Heeuns unofficial schedule with fans sightings to find gaps in time. Second, considering the rumors that someone influential was deeply infatuated with Yoon Heeun, shortlist high-security, upscale hotels in the Seoul metropolitan area or nearby. Thenpare those with Yoon Heeuns schedule and home to deduce a ce that wouldnt take too long to travel to and from. Third, go to the anticipated location during the gap in his schedule and stake out to determine the right spot. (If the location wasnt correct, go back toparing the opponents home and the hotel list. Eventually, youll find the right one.) It was time-consuming, but not as difficult as it seemed. However, it wasnt the kind of strategy a 23-year-old idol would easilye up with and execute. Hes totally insane. Kim Jaeyeon stroked his arms. It might take some time, you know that, right? Yes, Im nning to build it up slowly anyway Ah!! What? Seo Hoyun, who had been speaking in a bored tone throughout the call, suddenly added on as if he remembered something. And theres one more thing Id like to ask you. You know Yoon Heeuns home address, right? Of course. Kim Jaeyeon, who was still writing down Seo Hoyuns words, tilted his head in confusion. What do you want to send him? Suddenly, a burst ofughter came from across the phone. Pfft, keuk What? Oh, this is just too fucking funny. Kim Jaeyeon asked in bewilderment, but Seo Hoyun didnt answer, just continued to chuckle a bit more. As Kim Jaeyeon wondered what to do with this crazy guy, whether he should just hang up the phone, Seo Hoyun hummed in a slightly calmer voice. Well, its not for Kim Jaeyeon to know. Just make sure you deliver it without being followed. Yes. Thanks in advance. Having finished his business, Seo Hoyun, as always, hung up the phone abruptly. Whats with this crazy guy again? Kim Jaeyeon scowled and shook his head. But what could he do? He had long given up trying to follow Seo Hoyuns train of thought. Despite the unpleasant feeling, Kim Jaeyeon started his car. Deals with Seo Hoyun were always hard to refuse, and the rewards were undeniably profitable. *** The CEO of Yoon Heeuns agency realized something was seriously amiss. The entertainment industry was a kind of light. It was a ce where dreams and idols were sold. Naturally, there were bound to be bugs that flocked to the light. Among them, the vilest were those who used rumors to make money. The CEOs mouth hung open upon reviewing the report from the internal operations team. What in the world is this? It was information that one could purchase online for a small amount of money. Todays hottest topic was rted to sponsorship. Despite theck of detail in the article with the provocative title of The Entertainment Industry Is Truly the Animal Kingdom, the CEO had a hunch. Having discovered that the article had already been posted and had even reached him, he hurriedly searched the inte, realizing that people were already specting about its subject. [Ah, this is obviously GHY, but even if we give him the benefit of the doubt and say its YHU, its still a bit ambiguous [Lets not spout nonsense, who believes this crap nowadays, its written like garbage and yet some are taking it as a documentary] [Guys, arent you curious? Ah~ lets just stop, Im more surprised that people actually buy and read this stuff] [Are you too scared to ask? Hmm, sounds about right though] The CEO chuckled wryly after reading the reactions. He thought it was impossible to pinpoint someone with just this kind of article. Moreover, the publics opinion of such tabloid-like articles had long been at rock bottom, so it was not a matter of great concern. However, there was one problem. Its almost like a targeted attack. Usually, such articles would be reported to him before being posted, allowing for preventive measures. The fact that the post had simply gone up, along with various rumors that seemed intentionally mixed with vague bait to gather scandal around Yoon Heeun, felt deliberate. Its also a mix of facts and fiction. Is this gossip? Or a threat? Yoon Heeun, summoned to thepany by the CEO, asked calmly. Such rumors were not umon in the entertainment industry, and they would usually quiet down quickly. He knew this would end as just an incident. We dont know yet; nothing hase to us. The CEO pressed his temples. With so many media outlets and other agencies to consider, it was difficult to pinpoint where this wasing from. Ha, justy low for a while. No solo activities, and just stay at home. Got it? Yes. Yoon Heeun returned home with an uneasy feeling. Still, he thought it would be okay. Instead, he found the CEOs anxious behavior rather pathetic. How could something like this spread? Itll be blocked anyway. There had been countless crises in the past, and having been in the industry for years, Yoon Heeun had gone through many ups and downs. So, he knew that mere rumors wouldnt affect him. Taking photos at the hotel was difficult because of the tight security and, to put it bluntly, there were no pictures of him kissing someone in public. Even if there had been, he knew they couldnt possibly spread. It wasnt baseless confidence but rather certainty born from experience. This is how things always go. He recalled a junior who had scoffed at him a few days ago. Although the thought made his stomach boil with anger, Yoon Heeun let out a wry smile instead of getting annoyed He was convinced that as long as they remained in this industry, eventually, they too would be like him. Such a fool Yoon Heeun massaged the back of his neck while pressing the door locks buttons firmly. Ah, but its really a shame about Composer Cheongbeom. As he was about to open the door Thud. Something was blocking the door, preventing it from opening. Looking down at his feet, there was a box, neither too big nor too small, beautifully wrapped. ? Normally, he would have thought it was from a stalker and discarded it without a second thought but a small note attached to it caught his attention. [Early Christmas Present. A gift from H Hotel ^^] At first, he didnt understand the content, but gradually, Yoon Heeuns mouth fell open. Whats this? The ce he had been frequentingtely. Having considered it trivial until a moment ago, Yoon Heeun was at a loss for words, confronted so tantly by an unwee threat. No, it cant be. ncing around to see if anyone was watching, he quickly brought the box inside. He ced the box on the marble table and let out a deep sigh. Ha Who on earth could it be? Or did this mean that the sponsorship issue was indeed targeted at him? He couldnt report it to the police, and talking to the CEO wouldnt change anything. If someone was operating under the radar, tracking down the person who delivered this box would be futile. Pacing around the table, he agonized over countless possibilities. But in the end, all thoughts converged to one conclusion. For now, he had no choice but to open the box and see what was inside. Right. I need to know to prepare for whats next. Yoon Heeun hesitated before reaching out to the box. As he untied the ribbon and opened it Boom! Charrarar!! A spring-loaded doll popped out, covering Yoon Heeun in sparkling powder. Cough, cough! Having expected at most a threatening photo or a USB drive, Yoon Heeun was taken aback. But that wasnt the end. It seemed as though some mechanism was in ce; the box beneath the doll exploded, and another spring-loaded doll jumped out, with the process repeating several times. Boom! Boom! Booooom! Charrarar~~! Multiple boxes, enough sparkling powder to cloud ones vision, and dolls scattered across the floor. Yoon Heeun got up abruptly, coughing for a while as he brushed off the powder on his shoulders and body. Ptooey, shit What the hell is this?! It was a malicious prank. Yoon Heeun spat out the powder that had infiltrated his mouth and kicked the boxes scattered on the floor. There were no more reactions; it seemed everything that was supposed to pop had done so. Kicking a box one more time, a card emerged from the pile of scattered powder. [Make an honest living, you little shit!] What the Who, who is this? Yoon Heeun shivered as he read the words on the card and turned it over to check if there was something written on the back. [Congrats! Yoon Heeun is now impotent!] Huh? What did that mean? Yoon Heeun crumpled the card in one hand and threw it to the floor. What is this? Was this some kind of metaphor? Perhaps a suggestion that he had lost his sponsor? No, no. That couldnt be it. Yoon Heeun was well aware that his current partner was smitten with him. After all, it wasnt easy to find someone as sensible and high-ss as himself. I need to find out who the hell did this. Yoon Heeun kicked the tumbling boxes on the floor, took off his outerwear, and headed to the bathroom. He wanted to wash off the unpleasant and suspicious powder first and foremost. It wasnt until a few dayster that he screamed in horror. . . . Meanwhile, I was alone in the dorm, basking in the warm winter sunlight on the balcony as I looked at the message Kim Jaeyeon had sent. Wow, the weathers really nice today. Next to me was an item window, something I hadnt seen in a long time. A few days before I called Kim Jaeyeon, wondering if anything useful might be there, I scrolled through the item shop and stopped when I saw something. [Anti-Love Doll Essential for Idols Self-Control!! Gift a doll box to a concerned colleague! The recipient will feel no emotional disturbance no matter how attractive a person they see. Enjoy a safe and worry-free idol life. Effect applies only to the designated person. (yer can also use it.) Stackable effects. Warning: Restraints oxytocin and testosterone, excessive use may lead to side effects. Points: 1,500] What is this useless item? The ability to restrain hormones? I thought it was unnecessary since I had never had heart-fluttering feelings for anyone. As I read down the system window, my attention lingered on the warning note. Is this the side effect of overdosing? I threw out the question wanting confirmation, but the system window did not respond. However, being a top student, I drew my own conclusions from theck of reaction. And after my particrly close encounter with Yoon Heeun in the bathroom, I recalled this item and bought several to maximize the stacking effect. What is this? Just a little Christmas gift, sort of. Kim Jaeyeon grumbled something, evidently disgusted by my tone, yet the delivery appeared sessful. I only received news today that Yoon Heeun had been looking unhappy for the past few days. If the item with the cool name of Anti-Love Doll had arrived properly, something precious of his wouldnt have worked as it should. How long will the effectst? Ultimately, he would have be (temporarily) impotent. Hahaha! I didnt feel like I had gone too far. Every time I recalled the filthy stories I had heard and saw Seong Jiwon smiling innocently in stark contrast, I would get angry all over again. And this item seemed to have been divinely timed to fall into my hands to use on Yoon Heeun. Not using it would be idiotic. As I giggled to myself, the system window popped up. [Are you crazy?] Yes, I am. Normally I would have ignored such ament, but I was in such a good mood that I lightly responded, which seemed to upset the system even more as it flooded with messages. [Dont use it for this!! I prepared this item with a pure heart and youre using it for this. Really??] Hey, dont scold me too much. It hurts my feelings too. [I dont want to answer Im not curious why youre upset.] I could feel the system windows disgust even through the text. I stroked my chin and said regretfully, I wish I could have seen Yoon Heeun turn pale with my own eyes. It would have been fodder forughter to sustain me through my tough life. Although this wouldnt be the fatal blow to his downfall, just the thought of Yoon Heeun turning pale made me burst intoughter again. Well, even now, it seemed like Ive got enough fodder tost me for half a year. [Despicable.] [Im going to dispose of this forever.] [For the well-being of everyone in the entertainment industry.] Ahaha, what a shame. I wanted to use it again in the future. Although the points I had painstakingly umted were running low, this much was manageable. I stretched, surveying the scenery outside the dorm, when my phone rang with a Ding! Picking it up immediately, I checked it and smiled with satisfaction. Kim Jaeyeon, you did a good job, huh? It was another message from Kim Jaeyeon. After several days of undercover investigation, he finally struck gold. Hmm, I cant blow it up just yet. Attached to the message was a photo of Yoon Heeuns car sneaking out of the hotel. This, by itself, seemed like it would only be a temporary gossip item. But handled well, it could be the spark at the end of a fuse to a bomb. What to do I heard rumors that Yoon Heeun might participate in Shining Star Season 2, but it was still undecided. One thing was certain, though. Throbbing with anticipation, I nestled my head on one arm and hummed yfully. Lets start slowly, Mr. Yoon Heeun~. You really fucked up big time. Chapter 130 Chapter 130 On December 30th, the Acting Awards were set to take ce, a time when we would find out which drama was the most popr that year, who acted the best, and who immersed themselves in their character the most. Of course, that was just on the surface. In reality, the winners were decided not just through acting skills alone but also through abination of factors including what was hot at the moment,petition among the hostingpanies, and under-the-table struggles. This year, Please Take the Camera was naturally scattered across various nominations. Despite criticisms of favoritism, Min Jiheon and Yu Jia also ended up as nominees for the Best Actor and Best Actress. Anyway, they were even preparing a celebratory performance to push Please Take the Camera until the very end. Wow. Yu Jia eximed in admiration. Jiheon that you know. Yep? Why do you look so much like a robot? Despite her initial hesitation, Yu Jias blunt observation made Min Jiheon, who was standing in the middle of the practice room,ugh awkwardly. Jiheon, who usually soared in acting, proved so bad at dancing that it was truly astonishing. A robot? No, thatparison would be too harsh on the robots. As Min Jiheon moved like a piece of junk that squeaked and seemed beyond repair, Yu Jia shook her head disapprovingly. I just thought of a joke about robots! Its fine. I dont really want to know either. Despite Yu Jias and my attempts to ignore him and turn away, Min Jiheon persisted. What sound does a robot make while cooking chicken? Yu Jia-sunbae, how long will you practice? Sorry, I think I have to go soon. So, the sound is~? Unable topletely ignore Min Jiheon, who looked at her expectantly, Yu Jia finally waved the white g of surrender and responded, What is it? With an excited expression, Min Jiheon answered, Wing chicken, wing chicken.[1] Hehe. These days, even dad jokes wouldnt use such material. I looked at Min Jiheon, who wasnt born with a silver humor spoon, with pity and said, Thank goodness youre going for a mysterious concept, sunbae. Yes, I have to make a living somehow. Min Jiheon muttered, Was it that bad? feeling embarrassed. If it had been Jeong Dajun, he might haveughed. I quickly shook my head, drank an ion drink, and looked back at Min Jiheon, who had already resumed practicing. Yu Jia, standing by, offered advice here and there with a look-at-this expression but refrained from openly criticizing too much. Umm Although Yu Jia debuted first, in terms of acting career, Min Jiheon had been around longer. It was a tricky situation for Yu Jia to openly criticize. But Yu Jia-sunbae. Oh, yes, Hoyun? I will help Min Jiheon-sunbae. I was also bad at dancing at first I can use that experience to guide him. There I was, Seo Hoyun, diligently engaging in idol activities. Now was the time for the real troublemaker to step in. Ah! Could you please? Yes. Yu Jias face brightened instantly. Hearing our conversation, Min Jiheon opened his eyes wide and looked back and forth between us. Yu Jia, are you leaving? So, its just me and Hoyun practicing? Um, I have some work to do. Its okay, sunbae. I showed a broad smile. Then Min Jiheon, recalling something, stepped back. Yu-Yu Jia, dont leave me alone~. We were getting along so well~. Ahaha. Sorry Im not really talented in teaching. That made sense. Having tried to match dances with Yu Jia, it was evident she was in the same boat as Joo Woosung in terms of talent. Min Jiheon-sunbae, I will definitely help you diligently. As Min Jiheon trembled, pondering how to escape this predicament, Yu Jia quickly packed up and left the practice room with her manager. Well I should also go then. As soon as the door closed, I dragged Min Jiheon, who was starting to move away. Where are you going, Mingro? Look at this persons quick change of attitude. Thats part of my charm. People should have a bit of a capricious side to live well. The practice continued for a while longer, and I criticized every small mistake fiercely. Hey, not there, here. Do you really want to be on stage?? Jiheon! Lets quit!! And Min Jiheons reaction was as follows. Uh, not here? Um, Im not really desperate Sorry~. Wow, hyung, youre like a fish back in water~. Though Min Jiheon managed to capture everything from movement to gestures and eye contact, like being possessed by Seong Jiwon, he only managed to improve to the level of a robot. Seeing Min Jiheon lying on the floor gasping, I left him to rest for a while, feeling somewhat satisfied. Hey, drink some water. Giving illness, giving medicine, and it turns out to be a water bottle[2] Min Jiheon grumbled, Mingro is also human, perhaps hinting at a potential talent for rapping. I snorted and leaned against the wall of the practice room, checking the time on my phone. Lets just do enough and go. Im busy. In fact, I had more pressing matters to attend to than Min Jiheons dancing. It was contacting Kim JaeYeon. Yoon Heeun, its the right move. But timing was the issue. At the beginning of the year? Or after joining Shining Star is confirmed? Thetter would paint a prettier picture, but there were too many uncertain factors. While I was organizing my thoughts, Min Jiheon, who had been rolling on the floor, suddenly came over and plopped down next to me. Are you contacting that person? Who? You know, the paparazzi who kept following me. I stopped scrolling through my phone and looked down. Seeing that I didnt respond, Min Jiheon propped his chin up and looked up at me. Hmm, does hyung really like the members that much? What was he talking about? Lets stick to the 5W1H. Some bold guy harassed you about the members atst weeks end-of-year stage, right? Again, you probably did something unnecessarily Min Jiheon, who seemed to have a knack for reading minds, yfully flicked his bangs off his forehead. Right? There was no use in asking how he knew. Min Jiheon, tell me honestly. How many snakes have you swallowed? Wow, is that something you of all people should say to me? Min Jiheon was right. In truth, there was no need to go to such lengths. I, Seo Hoyun, who had lived for 33 years, was like that. No matter how annoying, infuriating, or bothersome things were, if the return on my efforts was minimal, I would have cleanly turned my attention elsewhere. However, there was no obligation to exin this in detail, so I was about to gloss over it when Min Jiheon, having emptied a bottle of water, slyly threw in anotherment. Who could it be~? Seong Jiwon? That was correct, but this wasnt for his sake. Hes calmer than youd think. He wasnt as indifferent as I was, but he was someone who knew what he needed to do. He wouldnt have wanted to engage in petty revenge over somement made by a passerby. But you never know. Sigh. Just because I was used to such words didnt mean they dont hurt. I brushed my hair back, remembering Seong Jiwon, who was pale and trembling at the recording studio, before the showcase, and even a few weeks ago. Im making a racket all by myself, just like now. Hey, Min Jiheon. Thud. I shoved my phone into my pocket and, picking up a new bottle of water from the floor, twisted it open and chugged it down. Youre wrong. Hmm? I want to bring down some rotten guys, one by one. I wiped the water from my lips with the back of my hand and smiled refreshingly. Because I want to be number one by taking things away. . Min Jiheon stared nkly at my face for a moment before silently shifting away. . Im d Im not an idol. I sometimes regret that too. I cant tell if youre serious or joking sometimes, its scary. Youre still crazy. Were you introducing yourself? Min Jiheon, whom I hadnt seen in a while, was as consistent as ever. I heard he was busy preparing for a movie set to be released in the middle of next year. Moreover, his wrists, now bare due to his sleeves being rolled up from the heat,cked the rosary he usually wore. When my gaze lingered there, Min Jiheon casually waved his hand. Interesting bastard. Min Jiheon had deliberately left it behind. From experience, unless that guy started a conversation himself, he wasnt the type to easily open up. I wasnt sure whether he was genuinely interested in me or just found teasing me amusing, but I wasnt the type to easily share what others wanted to know just out of goodwill, so there was a bit of distance there as well. Above all, the worst part about dealing with Min Jiheon was that even what I initially dismissed as nonsense came back to haunt me like a reflection over time. Isnt asking a favor a moremon approach than threats? Like this. Because what he had said before applied to Seong Jiwons situation now. Looking at him, whose face was still exceptionally pretty, I suddenly felt that Seong Jiwon and Min Jiheon were simr. Have I lost my mind?!!! With so many things piling up recently, I quickly dismissed the absurd thought, convincing myself I wasnt in my right mind. But you know what? While I was internally apologizing to Seong Jiwon, Min Jiheon leaned against the wall, slid down as he rxed his body, and sneakily nced at me while pushing his hair back. Im really curious about something. Then keep being curious. Rude. Anyway, do you get threatened often? What? It wasnt that I was surprised by the idea of me being threatened. Ah, judging by your reaction, guess not. He muttered under his breath. But why did you do that at the awards ceremony. . Perhaps not expecting a clear answer, Min Jiheon shrugged and seemed to lose interest in me, humming the song for the congrattory performance as he spaced out. Being around him seemed to constantly fill my head with unnecessary thoughts, so I decided to recharge with some sweets and head to the nearby convenience store. As I rummaged through my sports bag for my wallet, a loud, persistent buzzing filled the air. Vrrr, vrrr. Min Jiheons phone, carelessly tossed aside, rang noisily. Even when I turned to look, Min Jiheon didnt seem to have any intention of moving, forcing me to say, Hey, youve got a call. Just hang it up for me So annoying Not even going to check who it is? As the phone continued to vibrate, I was about to toss it over to Min Jiheon when I identally caught a glimpse of the caller ID. [Princess] Are you serious? Was this guy in a rtionship? Hm? Why? South Korea isnt a constitutional monarchy, Mr. Min Jiheon. He got up abruptly, looking disgusted at the creepy nickname, and said, Ah, Chaeyeon? ? Hold on, wait! Dont hang up, give it here! ng, bang!! Regardless of my confusion, he hastily came over. He snatched the phone from my hand, cleared his throat, and then answered the call. Princess!! ??? Why did you call all of a sudden? Even as he spoke, I could see Min Jiheon struggling to suppress hisughter. This bastard, he was definitely making fun of someone. Chills ran down my spine, and without realizing it, I took a step back from him. But Min Jiheon didnt stop there. Why? Do you have something to tell oppa? Ugh Princess and oppa?? I looked at him with a cold gaze, and after Min Jiheon nced at me for a moment, he turned his attention back to the call. Yeah, yeah. Oppas been a bit busy recently, so I couldnt check in Oh? Ahaha, really? My bad. As I was apparently immune to such a sight of insincerity, I decided to leave. However, Min Jiheon blocked my way with his arm as I tried to pass. What now? Ah, do you want me to switch it to video call? Ah, are you crazy? ? Hmm Wow, hmm. Chaeyeon, youve gotten even sharper with words since Ist saw you. Yeah Its definitely my fault, sorry. Whether I tried to go right or left, he kept blocking me, continuously babbling about princess and oppa until he finally hung up, preventing me from moving anywhere. So, I just crossed my arms and red at him. Even until thest moment, he kept apologizing to the person on the other end of the call, barely able to contain hisughter. Do you always tease your partner even when youre dating? Eh? And why was I being dragged into this again? I added myment indifferently, but it was followed by Min Jiheonsughter. Dating? I dont date, that was my sister. Sister? Chaeyeon~. I had never really thought about Min Jiheons family, so I was a bit suspicious. Is he pretending to avoid getting caught dating? But then again, he wasnt an idol, and an actor of Min Jiheons caliber wouldnt need to hide the fact that he was dating. Im not interested in spreading rumors about your dating life. Ill show you a picture then? No. I was about to lose interest, considering it wouldnt be worth ckmailing him over, but Min Jiheon stubbornly flipped through his phones photo album and shoved a picture in front of me. Ta-da! There was Min Jiheon, smiling brightly, and a girl who looked to be in middle school at most, ring at the camera with a pouty face. And she looked nothing like Min Jiheon. Cute, isnt she? You call your sister princess? Its funny because she hates it. Min Jiheon rambled on about how there was a significant age gap between them, how he took care of her since she was young, and how she used to listen to him but was now rebelling incessantly. Of course, I had no interest in forming any sort of empathy with Min Jiheon over teasing a younger sibling, so I quickly opened the practice room door. Shes really prickly. Come to think of it, her personality is a bit like hyungs. Chaeyeon must be really popr and happy. Well, not as shameless as you are though. Nice personality. At the very least, to survive living under the same roof as Min Jiheon, one would need such a level of resistance. Our Chaeyeon, no matter how much she likes someone, she shouldnt be too much like hyung What are you talking about? Ah, did I not mention it? As I turned my head with narrowed eyes, Min Jiheon, who had been chuckling all this while, tilted his head in confusion. Shes a Noeul. And hyung is her favorite. Hm? I held onto hyung because I thought she would like it if I switched it to a video call. But when I actually asked her, she panicked and asked if I was crazy. She said shes not ready yet, and that I should have talked about this kind of thing with her beforehand,ining that I never think things through Chaeyeon, even oppa gets hurt sometimes. Even a Hallyu star like Min Jiheon, who could easily conquer Asia, was just a nobody in front of his sister. Whether he was hurt or not, I had more urgent needs, like recharging my energy, so I left him there and stepped outside. This is White Christmas, Snow is falling slowly Fitting for Christmas, carols were ying intermittently on the streets. It would have been nice if we had prepared something for Christmas too. was what I was thinking, until a sudden realization hit me. Wait. Something felt off. I quickly pulled out my phone. Yes, its White Christmas, With you in a winter wondend! No way, right? It couldnt be. We didnt prepare anything. As expected, there was a huge headline on the entertainment news section of a portal site. [ck Call, surprise Christmas album Christmas with You released] The tyranny of bigpanies is fucking over the top With a sigh, the Christmas season had begun. [1] , . can mean either wing, as in the wings of a chicken, or something whirring or buzzing, like the sound a robot might make. [2] The Korean is .. is where the wordy reallyes into y. It sounds like , which would mean giving a water bottle. However, it also sounds simr to , which means does not ask or without asking. Chapter 131 Chapter 131 As Seo Hoyun berated Min Jiheon during the rehearsal for the congrattory performance, while simultaneously pushing himself to the limit for other year-end stages, December 25th sneaked up on them. Christmas! Ironically, the days when it actually snowed on Christmas were so rare they were almost forgotten, yet the streets were filled with carols singing about white snow falling. [Ah, Im not really looking forward to Christmas Please dont talk about putting up Christmas decorations in your profile pic if youre like this Got caught] [Why do Christmas carols make me feel so excited?] [Christmas special Been listening to carols non-stop since early November, but then nothing happens on the actual day] [Its okay as long as I feel the tickles of excitement till then ] And that day was a bit more special for ck Calls fandom. Because WH, ck Calls agency, released a Christmas special album by the group. White Christmas, you smiling happily in front of me, the carol echoing far away, I want to remember all of this for a lifetime. ck Call was primarily known for dance pop and intense choreography, but they showcased their talent with a variety of harmonies in this special Christmas album. Consequently, the response was very positive. After all, how could it not be good when ck Call released a Christmas album? [Legend, absolutely legend..] [Hadnt even thought they would release something suddenly Top-tier, these guys really did it again, make a fortune guys!!] [For ck Call, failure is not an option.] True to Christmas, the album included photos of all ck Call members in front of a Christmas tree, holding various props. [Is the price of Joo Woosungs photo card skyrocketing?] Among them, Joo Woosungs photo card, where he was wearing a red knit and lifting a sparkling Christmas light with a cheeky smile, was legendary. Its value soared through the roof. [Save me] [This photo card does exist, right? Its not a mirage? But why dont I have it?] [Ah, Id be grateful if he dyed his hair forever, but ck hair is legendary. But seriously, dyed hair for life] Joo Woosung, when he set his mind to it, was a runaway train in poprity. The agency seemed ready to rake in a hefty profit, considering the inclusion of unit cards in the album package. Each one showing two members and appearing as if they were taken with a real Proid camera. [Ah, Im breaking my savings for this] [Even if I wanted to solve this with money, theres no stockIs this real???] During this busy time for Joo Woosung, what was Seo Hoyun doing, you ask? Having finished practice, he went to thepany office to do a V-Live with the members. Now he was just slumped in a chair while looking at the text messages from Joo Woosung. That Bastard: Do you like it That Bastard: Christmas gift~ This guy Considering that The Dawn couldnt evene close to ck Call yet, his personal outreach clearly seemed intended to irritate me. Me: Just enlist already That Bastard: That Bastard: Not happening any time soon~ This bastard has definitely forgotten. Forgotten what? Being ckmailed I resolved to mock Joo Woosung grandly when he enlists, but Kang Ichae, who was fiddling around beside me, tilted his head in confusion. But why has ck Call been so activetely? Not my circus. With a feeling of emptiness, Iid down on the desk, only rolling my eyes to watch the music show that the other members were focused on. Theyers of harmony piled up, lyrics fitting the season with just the right amount of wistfulness, a stage decorated splendidly, fashionable styling, and insane skills epassing it all. They unted their big agency background and devoured the surprise special album. Im so jealous, damn it. But this time, I couldnt bring myself to say anything to Daepaseong Entertainment. After spending thest year churning outpetition songs, releasing three titles, running around on variety shows, dramas, and end-of-year stages like mad, it felt too hardcore to nag about not thinking of releasing a Christmas album now. Honestly, had there been just a bit more time, I wouldve certainly persuaded the CEO to allocate the funds. Lets do it next year, next year. Hyung?! Why? Only then, Jeong Dajun, who had been munching on a now-cold hotdog bought from a convenience store, asked. His face was finally showing some life after the CSAT exam. I couldnt bring myself to call ck Call sons of bitches in front of him and Kim Seonghyeon, so I decided to change the subject. Is it good? Yeah! Well, at least you seemed happy about it Ah! We havent decorated the Christmas tree yet!! Jeong Dajun, perfectly matching the white knit he wore, suddenly stood up and went to the Christmas tree. While Kim Seonghyeon and Kang Ichae got busy decorating the tree, Seong Jiwon sat down at the electronic piano, and I turned on the camera. [????] Hello. [?????????] [Whats going on] [What are you guys doing] The Noeuls, appearing puzzled in theirments, soon swarmed in, and they all started shedding tears like a storm. [A Christmas live?!!?] [Is the band back???? Ah, its really just Jiwon ying the piano but still] [The white knit and headband are so so so cute] I awkwardly fiddled with the headband that looked like a bow before giving up. The membersughed as they put on some hastily acquired reindeer antlers, Christmas decorations, and Santa hats. They then returned to their designated spots. After a brief chat, everyone except Seong Jiwon followed my lead in picking up the tangled wired mics. Since it feels iplete just leaving it at this, wed like to sing a song for you. Although I couldnt make out the chats content from afar, I could see it was moving very fast. Yes. Since we couldnt invest capital like ck Call to release a high-quality Christmas album in a short period, we decided to make up for it with a live performance instead. The beginning of all this wasst Christmas Eve, when Jeong Dajun was marveling at ck Calls Christmas carols, and I, standing beside him, was seriously pissed off. It all started with a singlement made by Seong Jiwon as he approached us. Should we go live on Christmas? Of course, we should. No, I mean Seong Jiwon smiled awkwardly. How about we do a special Christmas carol live? Youre a genius! I immediately agreed, full of admiration. Seeing how well things were going in this regard, it was clear that Seong Jiwon,ing from a major agency as a trainee, had something special. So, we chose a few carols that both domestic and international fans would like, and despite not having much time, we even practiced doing some harmonies. Since our piano guy, Seong Jiwon, knew how to y a few carols, and Kang Ichae agreed to cover the rest, we could proceed with the live without any trouble. Ding! As Jiwon pressed the chords, he slightly bowed his head towards the mic fixed on the piano. Ive been feeling excited for days, normally I wouldnt care But this year might be different. His long, white fingers moved across the keys. I ced my hand on Seong Jiwons shoulder next to me and brought my mouth close to the mic. Even if it doesnt snow this year, its okay if I dont receive a single gift Im just decorating the Christmas tree waiting for you. The next part was taken by Jeong Dajun and Kim Seonghyeon who were fiddling with a headband. Trying not to miss the beat, their rushing in caused a snicker among the members. Please, Santa. I have been good this year Im putting down all my pride and begging. Babe, I will be one and only for you And thats because I really like you. As we were listening to the members voices and waiting for the next turn, Kang Ichae, nodding his head to the rhythm of the carol, started poking me and began the rap part. Under the mistletoe, I linger, hoping youll appear In case the lights go out, you mighte near Iugh, pretending its alright, in this fluttering hearts light Is it just me? Do you feel it too? This could be my perfect Christmas with you. And then all of our voices blended together. The harmony we had briefly but intensely practiced yesterday showed its true value. Jeong Dajun was excited and slightly shook the sleigh bells he had prepared, enhancing the atmosphere. (Ah You, You, You Christmas Present, Carol, Cake) I want to hold your hand. Seong Jiwon looked over with a faint smile. Feeling oddly nervous, I simply smiled back and sang myst main part. (Yes You, You, You Christmas Light, Laughter, Warmth) I want to be with you Then, Seong Jiwon closed his eyes and cleanly hit the high notes. His clear and pure voice became one with the song. Even if it doesnt snow this year, its okay if I dont receive a single gift Im just decorating the Christmas tree waiting for you. After finishing the first carol, we sang a few more songs and even shared the cake prepared by thepany. While eating the Bche de Nol cake sprinkled with white sugar powder like snow, I thought, Whats going on? Seong Jiwon seemed to be lingering around me more than usual. [Dajun, dont try to eat the cake you dropped There goes Kim Seonghyeon barely stopping him with the 3-second rule!!! ] [Kang Ichae, this dude must be feeling good, suddenly ying the piano for us, ha Look at this guy, wearing a Christmas headband and ying a romantic piano piece Feels like a fantasy, but its real] Want some? Ah, yes. Despite being strict about self-management, Seong Jiwon blinked nonchntly, trying not to make it obvious. Ah, maybe? I had a guess. Wow. If that was the case, it was good timing. The fans reactions were positive, and everyone seemed satisfied. [Hoyun looks happy today, huh??] [What, so cute] Finally, the time hade to put an end to this long wait. Its Christmas~. As I mentioned that it might be time to wrap things up and started getting up, the members caught on like ghosts and moved into their closing remarks. Merry Christmas! Merry Merry Christmas~! Everyoneughed out loud and waved their hands. As I was about to turn off the camera, more messages kepting in. [Merry Christmas!] [Have a great Christmas ** * Happy Xmas] [You have to spend it happily!!] Is that a Christmas tree? I grinned at the sight of all these sweet words piling up like snow. Spend it happily. . . . All I want for Christmas~~. Is~ Youuu~. Even a good while after the V-Live had ended, Kang Ichae had no intention of stopping the carol singing. Instead, Jeong Dajun and he were having a st imitating the ssic Christmas movie, Love Actually. The youngest will y the drums!! The rapper will pick you based on matching the song lyrics! Kya, exciting!! There seemed to be no intention of ending with just the first verse, as they even asked who would y the role of the British Prime Minister Hugh Grant who gets caught kissing behind the curtains. I was busy decorating the cake with strawberries and diligently popping them into my mouth with a fork. Of course, I pretended not to hear anything. Oops!! Just then, Jeong Dajun, who had been pretending to y the drums behind me, suddenly jumped up. Emergency! Its snowing outside!! What?! Really?! Is it a white Christmas? What would change when it snows? As a former office worker who thought snow only looked pretty when it was falling and soon turned into white trash, thus making driving difficult, I nonchntly licked the ganache off the fork. But not only the maknae, even Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon got up, hastily grabbing their tops and scarves. Where are you guys going? Ahaha, outside? Me too. Was snow that great? Among them, Jeong Dajun was the first to rush out. Thest one to arrive buys ice cream! Ice cream in winter, deal! Jeong Dajun, hey! Wear your scarf! Yess!! Dont just say yes and go!! Kim Seonghyeon called out, but Jeong Dajun ran off anyway. It was going to be just cold, so would they finallye to their senses after freezing their butts off was something I thought with a typical grumpy old mans mindset, but then decided to change my attitude. Alright, lets think like an idol for once. I stood up, looking at Kang Ichae and Seong Jiwon hurrying out after Jeong Dajun, but hesitated because of the cold. Kim Seonghyeon nudged my shoulder. Lets go. Sigh. We should have a snowball fight. Were not 3, were 23. And I was 33. Anyway. Even Kim Seonghyeon, feeling a bit awkward, turned his gaze away but still eagerly grabbed his scarf and followed out. He seemed pretty excited too To take a photo for our fancaf, and also to hear Seong Jiwons story. Eventually, I headed out with my hands in my coat pockets, and my breath turned white in the chilly night air. Hyung, snowball fight, go go! Scrape together whatever you can! Eek, my hands are so cold!! Did I ever get excited about snow in my early twenties? No, I think I was cursing it as I cleared some snow in the military. Honestly, I could hardly remember. There was hardly any snow umted on the ground, and the few parked cars along the road were barely covered with a thinyer of white snow. Eventually, judging a snowball fight to be impractical, I watched the youngest members and Kim Seonghyeon, who were squatting next to them, trying to scrape together enough snow to make even a small snowman. It was both funny and absurd. Nice Ahaha. Seong Jiwon, who seemed to have something to say, kept his gaze fixed on the sky sprinkling snow. I waited quietly. Hoyun. While watching the other members with my hands deeply buried in my coat pockets, I turned my head at the call, trying my best to look as kindly as possible. Yes, what is it? Go on, tell me. I was ready. There is. Just when I thought my patience the size of a bean was about to pay off, Seong Jiwon looked at me and asked in a calm voice. Have you talked with Yoon Heeun-sunbae? Chapter 132 Chapter 132 Did you talk with Yoon Heeun-sunbae? I momentarily lost my ability to speak. I thought the time hade, but. Unwittingly, to hide my trembling eyshes, I raised my hand and rubbed between my eyebrows. Kang Ichae? No. He wasnt the type to block a conversation with Seong Jiwon and then bring it up behind his back. It was more urate to say Seong Jiwon had cleverly figured it out. I lowered my gaze, shaking off the snow that had piled up on my head. How did you find out? At the year-end event, when you said you were headed to the restroom and Ichae went off to find you, it was a bit awkward when both of you returned together, wasnt it? With a faintugh And recently, you seemed to be in a good mood after switching channels whenever Yoon Heeun-sunbae appeared. he added. Have you been happier recently? Lifting my head at that question, I saw my reflection in Seong Jiwons eyes. I casually averted my gaze and stroked my chin. Do you really want to know? The silence felt prolonged. Even on this cold day, I felt as if cold sweat was running down my back under Seong Jiwons piercing gaze. Even though I had no intention of telling him, even if he said he wanted to know, I felt slightly pathetic to ask back. Um, no. I trust you. Seong Jiwon blinked several times then brushed the snow off the bench before sitting down. Well, its not like its going to be bad for us anyway. That. Right? Right. In the grand scheme of things, it wasnt wrong. I knew it wouldnt work on the members, but I still attempted to look harmless and benign as if I had put my soul into it. Seong Jiwon just chuckled without saying much and looked up at the sky. A little further away, the youngest members bickered as usual. We got caught again this time. I cant really hide anything from you. Seong Jiwon turned his gaze to meet mine, paused for a moment, and then said, Im sorry aboutst time. If he was referring tost time, it must have been about the incident when he tried to answer a sasaengs call in the countryside. Yeah, you almost did something crazy. Ahaha. I spoke seriously in a joking tone, and Seong Jiwonughed out loud. I could confidently say I knew what kind of person Seong Jiwon was. Diligent, hardworking, ambitious, and sometimes soft. Plus, the resolute aspect I had recently added to my knowledge about Seong Jiwon. But to think he wanted to know something through a sasaeng? Was he crazy? That was more like something I would think. Im looking for someone. At that moment, Seong Jiwons words clearly registered in my ears. I want to find them by any means because they helped me when I was having a hard time. It happened when I was a D.go trainee, so Ive been following them since then, wondering if they might know something. Wait. Not sure how he interpreted my reaction, Seong Jiwons voice gradually faded. So, I was wondering whether to ept it or not. Sorry for making a big deal out of it. Wait!! Thinking about it now, I was stupid. While Seong Jiwon hesitated as he looked for my reaction, I struggled to suppress my rising excitement. Damn, a backdoor jackpot! However, I had no recollection of helping Seong Jiwon. Its a rather painful memory for me I didnt want to bring it up to you because its tough. But considering the progression of scenarios so far, it had to be me. Kim Seonghyeon? I helped him. Jeong Dajun too. No matter how I looked at it, it had to be me who had helped Seong Jiwon in the past. Whether I did a forward roll or a backward roll, or even if I passed by on a KTX, my gut told me it was my story. What? Was it this kind of story? I couldnt grasp what Seong Jiwon was thinking with these recent events going on, but unexpectedly, the main scenario popped out. When? Right before I left my previous agency. I asked cautiously, and Seong Jiwon sped his hands as he spoke. What was I doing then? Honestly, I could not remember well. It was more likely due to the systems trickery than my own problem. Until the main scenario began, my memory was tightly sealed. Only when a certain threshold was reached, a part of the memory would emerge like an old television filled with static noise. That is, until the system window unlocked my memory, I couldnt know exactly what I had done. I decided to make good use of this opportunity. Seong Jiwon. Hm? Ill ask just three things. I used to hate it when Min Jiheon said Koreans did things in threes. Turns out, he was right about Koreans and the rule of three. Is it someone who works at a broadcasting station? Oh, right. Do they smoke? Yeah! Right!! Seong Jiwon looked at me as if he had seen a ghost. I finally brought up the most important question. Wasnt that guy a real piece of work? Hoyun, thats not quite right. I owe a lot to that person. Lets watch our words. I was fuming. I was clear about it, so why draw a line with me? Until just moments ago, Seong Jiwon had been nodding fervently, but upon hearing my question, his eyes quickly shifted as if to say, What nonsense are you spouting? Now that I think about it, although the tone might have been a bit harsh, he only spoke the truth. And he really was an impressive person. Rough but dripping with swag. Wasnt that me? The more I hear it, the more it sounds like me. It seemed so obviously me, but I got frustrated when Seong Jiwon seriously started to object. Moreover, there was something else that truly felt unfair. You Hm? Did you really drag me through the mud just to find that bastard? I couldnt forget Seong Jiwon, pale and trembling before the showcase. So, I chose to be considerate and yield, to avoid further hurting him. Sure, lets say he wanted to find the person who helped him. But why? Just for someone like me? Whats so important about them? Hmm? From what Ive heard, working at a broadcasting station and smoking like a chimney, they must be rude andcking conscience! Whats so good about them? I felt like I was spitting on myself. There was so much I wanted to say, but I held it in. Because I couldnt predict how Seong Jiwon would react if I voiced my thoughts. Seong Jiwon looked at me intently and then sternly said, Seo Hoyun. And he got serious. Are you picking a fight? This guy, as kind as he was, he was not soft. I felt utterly betrayed by Seong Jiwon, whom I had trustedpletely, and a sigh welled up to the brink of my throat. But how did you know about the broadcasting station and the smoking? As my face heated up with anger, I tried to cool it with my freezing hands when Seong Jiwon asked with a smirk. Because its me. I just guessed. Hmm. You were a trainee, so its likely youd be involved with broadcasting folks, and people at broadcasting stations tend to smoke a lot. I scrambled together such a nonsensical excuse, but Seong Jiwon just nced over me and looked away. I pressed a palm against my eyes and ran my other hand through my hair. Why didnt you say anything? Hmm? Like with Yoon Heeun, it would have been nice if youd told your hyung, right? Then. I had put up with so much for a year. And yet, I spoke frankly to this ungrateful person who wandered searching in vain. I could have helped. Maybe I was being resentful. Perhaps they thought confiding in me would create a weakness for them. But when Seong Jiwon finally heard what I said, he blinked a few times and then burst intoughter. Why are youughing? Ahaha, Seo Hoyun, youre really. Even as I looked at him with cold eyes, Seong Jiwon couldnt hold back hisughter and, after a moment, touched the corner of his mouth and began to speak. The thing about Yoon Heeun wasnt hidden for any particr reason. Then? I did it because I wanted to listen to my grandmother. Suddenly, what was this out-of-ce remark? I was feeling troubled, but Seong Jiwon seemed to be in a good mood, gathering snow on the bench with his hands and pressing it into a small ball. She used to say that we, because of our job, would often hear bad things. People can gradually wear down, but even so. By the time his fingertips turned red, he had formed a snowball and ced it on the bench he was sitting on. Look at only beautiful things and listen to only good words. Thats why. And he started to form another snowball. You mean, you did that because you thought Id hear something bad and get hurt? When you put it that way, it sounds strange? Of course, I know you dont care about such things. If you knew, then fuck. I swallowed the words that almost burst out of my throat. Seong Jiwon seemed to notice what I wanted to say and snickered, pressing down the snow with his hand. Anyway, it might be selfish of me, but I want to show only good things and say only beautiful words to those I care about. So, like Seong Jiwon initially said, hiding what Yoon Heeun said wasnt really for any specific reason. In the end, Seong Jiwon finished making a small snowman on the bench. Well, it does feel good to talk about it. Seeing my dumbfounded expression, Seong Jiwon shrugged his shoulders, dusted off the snow and dirt from his hands, and blew on his reddened fingers. The snow is falling so beautifully. A white Christmas, its been a long time. Four years, maybe.? Were lucky, arent we? Watching the same scene, the lead vocal criticized it as garbage falling from the sky, while the main vocal was happy because its a white Christmas. At that moment, when I was about to sarcastically ask what was so good about being lucky amidst these contrasting feelings, Seo Hojins words came to mind. You could just say Thanks, I got it. Why do you always have to twist your words?[1] But what did I care. Only if money falls instead of snow would I consider myself lucky. Or maybe poprity, recognition, or fame. As I spat out whatever came to mind, feeling defeated, Seong Jiwons eyes crinkled withughter. His appearance, like a star twinkling in any darkness, caught my eye Hyungs!! What are you doing?! Theres a lot of snow here! Then, Jeong Dajun, covered in snow from head to toe, waved at us from afar. Seeing him, Jiwon let out a slight smile and stood up. Coming now! Left alone, I flopped down where Jiwon had been sitting and tilted my head back. So annoying. [Why? Because of Seong Jiwon?] The system window popped up beside me. Hes annoying, but not just that. I shook my head to get rid of the snow and pulled my padded hat down over my ears. As my excitement cooled down, and my brain started to work, things became clearer. It dawned on me why I had been acting so out of character: having no patience yet waiting for Jiwon to speak, dealing with Yoon Heeun even when there was nothing in it for me. Im screwed. I cared about Jiwon. Ding! [????] [Why?] [Is it because you cant progress the scenario? Its okay, we have plenty of time ahead!] Is it just Jiwon? Ignoring the system window, which was spouting nonsense without catching on, I nced over at the members faces. I imagined how angry they would get if they told me to mind my own business and I confronted them about it. Conclusion: Id be pissed. I had a feeling of being backstabbed since Jeong Dajuns double contract. Though an uneasy feeling lingered, I was too busy making a living and didnt want to acknowledge it, so I just ignored that feeling. But finally, after a year, I had to admit it. Grrr I cared about these bastards. Not only did I look after my own meal ticket, but theirs as well. And if anyone else tried to mess with them, it would piss me off not to retaliate. I ended up creating one more weakness, damn it. [Dont look so down!!] From a caf across the street that was still open, the gentle melody of ck Calls carol flowed out. White Christmas I want to remember forever Everything in front of you, smiling happily The white snow falling from the sky Its not like that!! Ah, its so unfair? Hey, wanna bet? Shall we bet? Lets do it. But youre betting your game console, got it? Yeah, lets do it. Amid the music, I could hear the members arguing over something, their voices loud yet unclear. Hoyun-hyung!! Come and tell us whos wrong! I just looked up at the sky without responding. When will I ever be able to live a carefree life? How much nicer do I have to be here before I get a gift? [I really do want to give you something. But Seo Hoyun, you havent been living all that nicely] Pick up on the hint, will you. I just wanted to whine a bit. White Christmas, you were happilyughing in front of me. What should I do from now on? I pondered slowly, one by one, about what kind of restrictions acknowledging this would bring upon me. It wont make much of a difference. Even if the number of dependents increased, it wouldnt hinder the progression of the scenario anyway. Whether like this or that, my goal of bing a first-ss idol would not change. A carol echoing in the distance I want to remember all of this for a lifetime Seo Hoyun, this guy would still use everything to achieve what he wanted. Except for the members. Okay. Having sorted out my thoughts, I then gazed at the snowkes pouring down generously before standing up and approaching the members. Why, whats up? Ah! Listen, Im so frustrated I could go crazy?? Our puppy seemed terribly aggrieved, barking away, but honestly, it went in one ear and out the other. Maknae, Im the one whos more aggrieved. A ck Call Christmas song that was breaking through the roof. Seong Jiwon, who was about to do something crazy just to find me. The main scenario, which hadnt shown any hint of progress. From the beginning to the end, nothing went my way. Right? Do you guys fight over such things? Its about pride. Nevertheless, it was okay. Seriously. Of course, that was the most ridiculous part. I muttered with my arms crossed, I want to go back to my initial resolve, not stick with pride. ??? The members tilted their heads in unison, question marks floating above them. Jeong Dajun. Huh? I grabbed the nape of Jeong Dajun, who was closest to me, pulled him close, andid my chin on his shoulder while pretending to be upset. Hoyunie is having a hard time these days. A chill colder than the winter wind passed between us. Jeong Dajun, whose waist was forcibly grabbed, couldnt escape and shivered with his arms. Its tough for me too whenever hyung is like this! Huhuhu. Ah! Ah!! Really, why are you like this?! Eventually, Jeong Dajun thrashed around, jumping up and down, and as soon as I let go, he quickly moved away. Then, I chuckled. The members grumbled non-stop, saying something was wrong, that it shouldnt have been revealed on the broadcast, and now it seemed my face wasnt covered with brass but with diamond. Why, why did it turn into a mess? Was there something in the Christmas cake earlier?! Ah, I feel likepeting against hyung. Being a leader is just so, so, so tough. Why? The members looked at me with worried eyes as if I were sick, but the real concern should be for themselves. Guys, I was sorry. Youre stuck with a madman. Merry Merry White Christmas! No, actually, I was not that sorry. [1] See Episode 123 Chapter 133 Chapter 133 Oh, here ites! Here ites! After another day of grueling practice, the members returned to their dorm, turned on the TV, and opened boxes of chicken, now a regr menu item there. It was December 30th, and they were tuning in to watch the live broadcast of the Acting Awards. The members faces were filled with anticipation. Did you hear Hoyun-hyung is nominated today? Yeah, for the New Star Award. Unlike the festive atmosphere of the year-end stages, this event had a more dignified vibe, which was probably why everyone was dressed so formally. Just then, Seo Hoyun, stepping off the van and onto the red carpet, filled the screen. Whoa! Hyungs here. The suit really suits him! Seo Hoyun is making his entrance! In Please Take the Camera, he yed PD Lee Jeonghun, whose character was messed up in terms of personality but whosepetence made it impossible to hate him! Despite the ambiguous introduction, hard to categorize as apliment or an insult, Seo Hoyun walked confidently with a poker face. However, his expression instantly changed when he saw fans of The Dawn and others cheering for him by the red carpet. He broke into a soft smile. Wow. The members admired his demeanor. Well, not just his face. That pretense. If we didnt know Seo Hoyun, we might have been fooled by his supposed good personality. Hes really good at acting, isnt he? Confident in Seo Hoyuns ability to handle any situation, the members happily shared chicken wings and legs to their liking, chatting away. But hasnt Hoyun-hyung been acting strangetely? Ah!! I was just about to say that. Huh? Why? When we wereing back to the dorm, he bought me something to eat, saying You like this, dont you?'' Everyone looked at Kim Seonghyeon in disbelief. And yesterday, he told me to take it easy and not overdo it. ?? At Jeong Dajuns words, Kim Seonghyeon shook his head as if he had goosebumps. It sounds crazy, but you know. Dont. Recently, Seo Hoyun, seems a bit different Ah!! Woah! different with someone whose name begins and ends with jeon/jun. I told you to stop!! Jeong Dajun spat out the piece of chicken he was chewing and, despite not having finished his favorite chicken leg, set it down on the table. Hey, even the maknae has the right to enjoy chicken happily, okay?! Lets save those talks for after meals. Sorry. The members, having lost their appetites, murmured, If anyone did something wrong to Seo Hoyun, better confess quickly. What did you do wrong? Spit it out. I didnt clean up after eating ramen yesterday. That must be it. Lets apologize properly when we get back. What do you guys think Hoyun is? Seong Jiwon muttered in disbelief. Among them, only Kang Ichae was unusually quiet today. He rested his chin on his knees, staring intently at the TV. As the Acting Awards continued, and the New Actor Award speech was being given, Min Jiheons face briefly appeared before moving to another actor. Hmm. Kang Ichae spat out the bone he had cleanly eaten. In contrast to Seo Hoyun, who had been walking around the dorm with a refreshing expression these past few days, something seemed to bother Kang Ichae. Drama Min Jiheon. Seo Hoyun. Seo Hoyun passed it off nonchntly without saying anything, but Kang Ichae still vividly remembered that day. And the hyperventtion. That moment for Seo Hoyun reminded him of a scene from the past, turning into something Kang Ichae couldnt just let go. Its confusing. Ichae, how about we drink while we watch this? At Seong Jiwons question, Kang Ichae reflexively smiled brightly and nodded. Sounds good~. Ill go get it. Uh! What about me? Turning his head slowly, Seong Jiwon asked gently, Dajun, do you wanna say it again? I turn of age in two days? Uh-huh? Soda. Ahaha, okay. Jeong Dajun, on the verge of adulthood, could not ovee the formidable wall of Seong Jiwon and sipped his soda with a gloomy expression. It was expected. Lately, even Seo Hoyun was feeling a bit hesitant around Seong Jiwon. By the time the rest of the members had drunk enough beer to get slightly tipsy, Seo Hoyun was finally announced as the winner of the New Star Award. Despite it being his first work, he has shown an impressive performance. The New Star Award goes to Seo Hoyun! Congrattions! Ah, do they pick up to five people for the New Star? Thats right. I heard they include idols sometimes. Ah~, I see. The five awardees stood in a line, each taking turns to give their eptance speech. Seo Hoyun was thest. Hello, Im Seo Hoyun. Wow, he really sounds like an actor. Is hyung going to continue acting? He said he absolutely hates it. Eeeh?! Im truly grateful to receive the New Star Award for my first work. Wow! Thats such a waste of talent. Betting my entire 19 years of being a drama fanatic, I can objectively say that Hoyun-hyung is really good at acting. Were you born watching dramas? Ive been watching them since I was a newborn, okay? While the rest of the members semi-ignored Jeong Dajun muttering, If you count from when my mom was pregnant with me, its 9 months more, they focused on Seo Hoyuns eptance speech. Thank you to all the cast members of Please Take the Camera Despite Seo Hoyuns usual grumbling or his chillingly indifferent or sarcasticallypetitive demeanor among the members, he spoke very neatly in public. After briefly thanking the dramas cast, writer, and staff, Seo Hoyun took a slight breath and added, And to the members of The Dawn, who are probably eating chicken at the dorm right now. Wow, hes like a psychic. Seo Hoyun cracked a slight smile. Great job. !! Lets keep up the good work next year. Despite Seo Hoyuns kindly intention, making it a memorable Christmas, the members dropped their chicken in surprise. Why is he like that? My appetite just disappeared. And they felt quite ufortable. Is this some new kind of bullying? Seriously, Seo Hoyun should live a bit more properly. Kang Ichae clicked his tongue inwardly. Seo Hoyuns finalment led to a lengthy discussion among the members, but they eventually settled on Its fan service for the Noeuls theory and managed to lighten the mood. If Seo Hoyun had known their true feelings, he would have been seriously pissed. However, there was something even more shocking. It was the congrattory stage of Part 1, prepared so diligently by Seo Hoyun, Min Jiheon, and Yu Jia. [Please Take the Camera Hot Stage: Lets Start Loving From Today by Min Jiheon, Yu Jia, Seo Hoyun] Waaaaah! They all threw off their suits and appeared in white knits and jeans, starting a light choreography to the music. Shy expressions and simple movements were the highlights. Yu Jia began to sing the first verse. Today, as the petals flutter, I want to walk beside you, One, two, three, four. Yu Jia sunbaenim is really good. Why say it, its Yu Jia sunbaenim. Dont be so serious. By now, Seong Jiwon, acknowledged among the members as a fan of Yu Jia, couldnt take his eyes off the TV. At that moment, the inte was aze. [ This is so funny!!!!] [Anyone who watches Please Take the Camera must see this shit shit shit shit my cheeks hurt from smiling so much] [Our senior Yu Jia, the trending idol Seo Hoyun, and the popr actor Min Jiheon (Note: Clumsy)] [Its really fresh and cute to see the drama cast together] Not just idol fans but also the general public, who watched the acting awards, flooded variousmunities with reactions. Today, as love begins, I want to hold hands with you, One, two, three, four. [I love you, PD Lee Jeonghun, I love how youre not a jerk, marry me] [So grateful hes originally an idol] Wow~, Hoyun finds the camera like a pro. Hes improved a lot in dancingtely. Hits the beat exactly. But it wasnt just the dance improvement; Seo Hoyun, knowing his own weaknesses, had desperately brainstormed and calcted to make his movements appear natural. While the idol members critically discussed the stage, most viewers had simr opinions. [Guys, Seo Hoyun and Yu Jia are really good at finding the camera, wow its different when youve been on stage But Min Jiheon] However, Min Jiheon [Min Jiheon, there are no cameras on the ceiling] really couldnt find the camera. [Fuck Im going crazy because of this man Stop smiling at the ceiling] [Min Jiheon is really clumsy Theres a reason hes close with Seo Hoyun Seo Hoyun: (So wronged)] [Im giving up on him finding the camera, hes just smiling by himselfYou know His original personality Thought he was all mysterious, but after watching the BTS, seems like hes just a cutie Is this a w? No, its true Especially towards Seo Hoyun Theyre close So freaking cute Im dying] Look, Min Jiheon-sunbaenim ising out. Ah, yeah. Even though he was dancing in the back, Min Jiheon stole the spotlight as he moved to the center and formed a heart. The members, staring nkly at the scene, had their faces turn sour. They all knew that Seo Hoyun and Min Jiheon werent exactly on good terms. It seemed like everyone had silently agreed to hold back their words. I want to give you my all, lets start loving from today. No, they wanted to hold back. [Excuse me] That was until they saw Min Jiheons spectacrck of musical talent. If Seo Hoyun had checked Min Jiheons stats, his singing wouldve been rated F-. [Ive never seen such tone-deafness in my life] [Damn, its so freaking hrious. Min Jiheon looks like he can do everything well, but how can he be so tone-deaf] [Please, just stick to acting, Mr. Min Jiheon] Is this a performance? It doesnt seem like it. Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun, The Dawns proud lead vocal on the same stage, jumped out beside him and wearing a refreshingly bright smile, seemingly very pleased with Min Jiheons tone-deaf crisis. I want to give you all my heart, lets start loving from today [Wow] [Wow, Seo Hoyun;;] Phew, now thats rxing. It feels pure not a single offbeat The anger that could have risen due to Min Jiheon was barely quelled, and the members started to munch on their cold chicken again. As expected, the online reactions were simr to those of The Dawn. [I knew Seo Hoyun could sing well. but after Min Jiheon, he seems like an angel Thats too harsh on Jiheon Put your hands down, we know youreughing (Laughter)] Thus, the performance entered the highlight with Yu Jias high notes, moving Seong Jiwon to the brink of tears. Of course, whether it was Yu Jia showcasing her insane vocal skills after a long absence from the stage or Seo Hoyun next to her presenting a perfect example of an idol, it was all satisfying. Lets start loving from today~ Min Jiheon steadfastly zed his own trail and with a bright smile, nailed the finishing pose perfectly. Still, he never found the camera. Phew Hold it in. Slightly ticked off again, The Dawns members turned away and quietly cleaned up the finished chicken. Shall we go practice? Lets do that. After all, they still have theirst end-of-year stage on December 31st. *** [Title: Did you see Min Jiheons eptance speech for the Grand Prize yesterday? Of course, I thought hed win The speech was short but so good, I had to bring it up (Video) He was really thankful for winning the acting award, but he said it was thanks to the people he loves. And then he casually said at the end, This year must have been hard for everyone, dont push yourselves too hard, and make sure to eat well. I hope everyone finds happiness in their own moments. Are you kidding me???? Ah Dont do this to someone who cries just hearing harmonies Are you having a tough time recently? Fuck, its really hard There, there.. But this year, Min Jiheonpletely shed his mystique Can someone teach me how not to love Jiheon.. Even in the midst of this, his dazzlingly handsome face shines No Its not just dazzling, I feel like Im going to need LASIK] [But at the end I love our youngest princess Please Take the Camera congrattory performance was a fresh change for the viewers and naturally drew attention to Seo Hoyuns next stage. [Title: Summary of the process of bing a Noeul in Please Take the Camera Wow, Min Jiheons in it? Turning it on right now. Lee Jeonghun is rude but gets cuter the more you watch. What? An idol? Searches for The Dawns fancams. (This is where it went downhill) Doesnt stop on stage. Watching the aegyo and freaking out Seo Hoyun looks like a bunny. Phew Youve crossed a river of no return. Wee to K-pop] On December 31st, fitting for thest day of the year, people were celebrating a year safely passed in their own ways, but those who had bet their lives on The Dawn were different. Music Festival!! Only selected idol groups made it to that stage on December 31st, and The Dawn was listed, marking the moment that would conclude the year-long efforts of their Apocalyptic trilogy. Chapter 134 Chapter 134 [Hot item alert: Popr group for sale, act fast!][1] Just when no news hadete into the night, making it seem like this time it was really over, the lineup came together at thest minute. The Noeuls, having learned something from The Dawns previous coboration with Lea Purple and a few other year-end stages of Kismet, were fervently criticizing Daepaseong Entertainment. [This song might just kill the lights And I have a feeling the camera work is going to be crap] [Im still pissed about that one solo stage they did before Plus, it wasnt even the full thing, it was ridiculously short The cob was just shoehorned in Its only because the kids killed it that I calmed down a bit] [Just Daepaseong being Daepaseong, you know] Despite its growing poprity, Daepaseong Entertainment, unable to shed its mid-tier status not just in capital but in various aspects, was more ustomed to criticism than to eating. However, private ounts expressed differing opinions. [Guys dont make meugh, is this supposed to be bitter? Ive been a fan since their debut, so maybe thats why Im running over here in a frenzy, shedding two liters of tears Oh, this is so typical but so true, I wanna highlight it] [Just one stage???? Even with the cob? Just being part of the end-of-year lineup itself? Im so proud I could spin around?????] [I came from stanning a major group that does long end-of-year stages, but theres a unique taste to this side too Is this what desperation ughs) feels like? The more minor, the more thrilling it can be Agreed Dont agree please, our kids need to fly] Thus, the Noeuls with their strong mental fortitude once again transformed bitterness intoughter as they sat in front of the TV. The Dawns ascendancy was palpable, and those who had wandered the K-pop wilderness for a long time sensed it. This years hottest (used) rookie was undoubtedly The Dawn, filled with venom and destined to rise. Determined not to betray those expectations, the members, except for a few hours of rest, had dedicated themselves to practice, biting down hard to finish all preparations. They were ready to put a grand finale to the Apocalypse trilogy. Ziing Thud. The stage dimmed, and the final end-of-year stage began. [The Dawn Kill the Lights] The song title appeared on screen, with Kang Ichaes name prominently featured in the lyrics,position, and arrangement sections. [Aaaah its starting] [Lyrics,position, arrangement by Kang Ichae Thump That guys lyrics, that guysposition, that guys arrangement Way back into > Kang Ichae] The fact that a member had arranged the end-of-year stage filled the fans with immense pride. But there were still concerns. [Ive seen Kill the Lights too many times recently;] [Right, I wanted to see Ocean Train for a change] This was precisely the issue. Since the song had recently been a huge sess, fans were concerned it might bore people for being too simr to its original stage, even though they knew it would be different from those performances. Initially, there had been a fuss about them not performing Kill the Lights when only Kismet was staged, but once Kill the Lights was performed, there wereints yet again. Yet, most were pulsing with anticipation and excitement. Ddiririri Ddiririri At that moment, an intro mixed with video game-like beats flowed out. Chijiik Woong woong [??????] The sound of a pipe organid over it brought an entirely different vibe from the original grand Kill the Lights. Just as fans were bewildered, wondering what kind of path it would take, blue and green lights alternately shone on the moving figures in rhythm. Ddiririri All members were dressed in white, yet what stood out more was the ck harness draped over their shoulders, contrasting with their white tops. [Yeah!!!!!!!] Thest end-of-year stage was rider jackets. It seemed they had yed another strong hand this time. Naturally, fans were shouting their heads off, waving their arms in wee. [Aaaaaah Aah!! Aah!!!!!] [I get it, you guys have to seed] Then, Kang Ichae, standing at the center, nonchntly looked into the camera, slightly tilted his head, and tugged at the corner of his mouth. I see the timing? It began. At the same time, Kang Ichae leaped up, kicking out with his right foot, and the members behind him supported his back. With that recoil, Kang Ichae returned to his original pose and began to rap. We once caught our breath together, now we must go again. With an intense yet fiery beat, the rap pierced through more powerfully than usual, electrifying every word. Kang Ichae raised his arm, grasped Seong Jiwons shoulder, and turned him roughly. When everyone pointed at you, You justughed, remember? [Hey, whats this neo-vor?] [Whats with the intro beat? Did youpletely change it??] Thanks to The Dawns habit ofing up with new stages every time, the Noeuls had decided not to be surprised anymore, yet they always ended up pleasantly betrayed. This performance seemed like the word morous had been brought to life on stage. If Kang Ichae had aimed to dazzle with Kismet, Kill the Lights amplified that mour, adding a few drops of a cyberpunk vibe reminiscent of 29th-century Korea. The reason for adding game beats and re-recording by the members was clear. (Beep!) I cant lose this game, lets burn till the very end. The moment light seeps in, its the start. Then, the screen brightened to a blinding degree. Du-du-du-du Doo-doom! Between the beats, the sound of helicopter propellers mixing in, and as the song slowly faded out, the figure of Kim Seonghyeon, who had been leading all the members from the center, was captured on screen. He slowly lifted his bowed head and raised his hand. And I say it again And then, grabbing Seo Hoyun, who was standing behind him, he spun around, switching their positions. YES! As the robotic voice, heavily autotuned to a lower pitch, rang out, Seo Hoyun aggressively moved to the center. WE KILL THE LIGHTS! The Noeuls quickly grasped what this switch in positions meant. [tlqkf!!!!!!!][2] [Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!] Indeed. It wasnt for nothing that Seo Hoyun had been practicing for the year-end stage, singing practice songs all along. KILL THE LIGHTS! Seo Hoyun, The Dawns official fixer, was officially assigned as the dance break center for the group, a role that would normally have been Kim Seonghyeons. To avoid even a bit of criticism, Seo Hoyun practiced until his mouth turned sour, trying to match even a fraction of Seonghyeons level. [Waitwaitwait Seo Hoyun] [Seo Hoyun center for the dance break??? Are you crazy????] Panicked fans, unable to even insert a typo to prevent searches on public ounts, screamed his real name. Even behind the members, the VCR showed a g fluttering as if blown by the wind, simr to how Kim Seonghyeon had nted it in the MV, stirring the fans emotions even more. I feel like Im gonna die. Its okay. People dont die that easily. What did you do so wrong? As much as Seo Hoyun was dying, his dance lines, as instructed by Kim Seonghyeon, had distinctly changed. If before, his movements seemed artificially aligned, now, it was evident he was riding the rhythm, with Seo Hoyuns unique flexibility adding a noticeable ir. It wasnt perfect, but the shorings were masked by the morous VCR, lighting, and facial expressions. [Has Seo Hoyun lost his mind????? Dont bite your lip, fuck] [So freaking sexy] The members on either side entered in time with the beat, not missing a single angle or timing. Seo Hoyuns gaze fiercely locked onto the approaching jimmy jib camera. [Ah wait you why are you like this why are you I wont say more, I still have a bright future ahead] [Thank you, world, for this insane sexiness] Despite securing it, the harness slid down due to the powerful choreography, but Seo Hoyun briefly took a deep breath and flicked his hand, prompting the scattered members to line up behind him. [Gasp] By this point, the quick-witted people had realized. The reason why that fixer, Seo Hoyun, had to be the center for the dance break. We need to take care of the narrative!! Lee Jihyeon, who ced utmost importance on the narrative, had been furiously insisting during the nning of the end-of-year stage. How can we not take care of the additional narrative that can be shown on stage apart from the MV?! Its basic to feed the fans with hints through choreography! This is respect for Kill the Lights! Okay, calm down for a moment. This time, it absolutely has to be Seo Hoyun as the dance center! He must!! As a result of Lee Jihyeon, who had been thoroughly energized by the bonus she received from the Lea Purple cob, relentlessly pushed Kim Seonghyeon and Seo Hoyun. Thus, this choreography was born. In Kill the Lights, after Seo Hoyun sessfully led a rebellion Then lets do this. Kim Seonghyeon created choreography that depicted the members following Seo Hoyuns lead. The Dawn is Coming! As soon as Seo Hoyun raised his right hand, all the members behind him saluted in sequence, in time with the beat. Snap! Ratatat! We cant lose this game I have already bet everything As the highlight melody rang out, Seo Hoyun turned around with a faint smile of satisfaction, his gaze lowering. Tap, tap! Then, the remaining four behind him spread out to the sides in time with a set rhythm, raising their hands at an angle towards him, as if symbolizing gs. Overturn everything, change the game! Seo Hoyun tilted his head back to look up, then strode confidently through the path created by the members. Even after the release of the Kill the Lights MV, there was much debate about whether it was right for all the members to trust and follow Seo Hoyun. The answer was embedded in this choreography. Yes, I Killed the light In the end, Seo Hoyun sessfully took control. [Dont be an otaku] [Its my fault, please save me] The fans screamed in delight; their eyes glued to the screen. In the meantime, as one member stepped out from the lined-up side, the formation quickly dispersed. We cant leave this scheme! It was Jeong Dajun who appeared to wrap up the finale. Ah, you are at its end. Contrary to Seo Hoyun taking everything under control, Jeong Dajun danced alone, and one by one, the members turned their backs on him. Only Jeong Dajun seemed to act as if he was out of control, his tinum blond hair soaking up the red lighting. Us, Jeong Dajun slightly squinted his eyes and lifted one corner of his mouth. Shall we go all the way till the end? His expression resembled someone very closely. KILL THE LIGHTS! And with a gesture resembling a finger snap, the lights went out with a snap! The speakers red with screams. The MCs continued to speak, but nobody paid any attention. [ killed it] For the fans, the next stage wasnt important. What was urgent for them was to collect the breadcrumbs scattered across this stage. [Seo Hoyuns salute and the kids saluting back means Seo Hoyun set everything right, right? Ah, I think Im going to faint And what about Jeong Dajun scattering everything?] [Whats with Jeong Dajun at the end, is he the hidden viin? Shit, Im losing my mind, ah!!!!!!!! After doing all that, our God Ki then goes down and jumps around] [Fuck, Hoyun walking with those long strides is just so manly.] [Who thought of putting in the salute choreography?!!!! Its obvious, isnt it? Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun Why?? Did a BTSe out?? Daepaseong Entertainment doesnt have money to add new choreography Oopsie] The fans exchanged interpretations and meanings of each scene. Just a few minutes ago, they were worried about the stage and criticizing Daepaseong Entertainment like radishes, but now they gave praises as if none of that had happened. [Its a live performance, but these guys must be insane with their stamina, there was a rumor that they run on treadmills while practicing singing, seems true] [Seo Hoyun a Hermione?[3] How did he prepare Spend the Night + Lets Start Loving From Today + Kill the Lights all at the same time? And all of them became hot topics, crazy] [Seong Jiwon really hits the high notes so cleanly, has he entered the vocal heaven now? Makes sense, our Jiwon is a Best OST Award winner] Though the stage was surprisingly short and didnt offer many opportunities to show off to the public, they still did everything they could. The brilliantly arranged spicy beat, the meticulously practiced sharp choreography, and the narrative-filled dance moves. [Wow, really the perfect end to the year Absolutely no regrets canceling all my year-end ns Just feeling sorry for those who didnt see it] [Ah How can you not love them? How can you not love these guys who grit their teeth and prepare so hard!! ] [Guys, Im a fan] Seo Hoyun might as well have been spitting blood with all the grumbling, but the hard work paid off. [Im a fan!!!!] They ended the year on a high, fully satisfied. [1] Thest two characters of the Korean was . Its a shorthand and stand for which means hurry and buy or looking for a quick sale. [2] To type in Korean, you use tlqkf, where each letter corresponds to a Korean character: = t, = l, = q, = k, = f. [3] Yup, that Hermione. Chapter 135 Chapter 135 Urgh~! Ughhh. Since the final end-of-year stage had no awards to give out, it was now time to just enjoy ourselves. Setting the stage on fire left my whole body aching. I wasnt worried about making mistakes, but I put so much effort into my moves during the dance break that my bones creaked rmingly. Its because of my age Give me some water. Here, drink. Drink. I grabbed the water bottle that was handed to me and emptied it in seconds. Can I rest now? Probably, it should be okay Everyone had poured their hearts out as if it was theirst, despite not having much sleep, so as soon as the stage was over, the tension was released, and we all melted into a sluggish state. Returning to the dressing room and getting some rest and cold water seemed to bring us back to our senses. It wasnt too bad, right? Although I hadnt seen the audiences reaction yet, recalling the raw, vivid warmth from the audience, it didnt seem too bad. And watching the subsequent performances from the dressing room, I realized that the other groups, much like us, had prepared with equal passion. I wonder what our rank will be next year. Even though we were a bit more known now,pared to other groups, we stillcked in years and recognition. Attending such an event where all the top idols of the year gathered made that gap feel evenrger. Itll take two years at best Four at most to reach our goal. As long as we made it to the top tier, whether at the end or wherever, the quest would be a sess, so I had no ns to drag this on any longer. But. Wow, ck Call-seniors areing out. Seeing this kind of thing made you realize how absurdly ambitious our dreams were. Wow All the members watched the screen with their mouths agape as if their souls were being sucked out. I looked at the close-up of Joo Woosungs face, feeling genuinely fed up. Ugh. You can be my King, just say the word and I can make it right. ck Call released only one title this year, and it was Kings, a concept based on a masterpiece. Joo Woosung, draped in a ck cape embroidered with gold, was unmistakably at the pinnacle of idol-dom. Shit, can I ever surpass him with my skills? He felt drastically different from a year ago. The brat who imed it was impossible to beat a natural talent had, against all odds, personally proven it. As I gulped down more water, I heard Jeong Dajun muttering next to me, his focus unwavering, When will we ever get to close the show? Three years. Eh? Four, if its long. Why are you so definitive? Because I had no intention of dragging this beyond that. I said this without looking at Jeong Dajun, Maknae, just trust this hyung and follow me. Ill give you a ride not on a bus but a roller coaster. Dont get my hopes up. Or I will really take your word for it, you know. You can have high fucking hopes. As always, I was confident. Jeong Dajun, moved by my words, tried to pounce on me, but I deftly avoided him. He pouted, and behind him, a staff members voice announced it was time to get ready for the ending. As usual, the December 31st end-of-year stage concluded with a famous veteran singer starting a hopeful song, then midway through, all performers would gradually join them on stage. It will then end with a countdown. We slowly made our way up the stairs to the stage. This isnt ourst, its a new beginning Lets sing together with all our hearts Wow~. The year really is ending like this. Ahaha, its nice to be all together. Lets sing together with our hearts, that we all have lived So its okay to love us. Everyone moved gently to the song, pping along or waving their hands to the beat. Hyung. So its okay to love us. As the song ended, a thunderous apuse erupted. Hoyun-hyung! Oh, was it me? With a gentle smile, ready to respond like the other idols for the broadcast, Jeong Dajun poked me on the side. Uh, you know. What? After locking eyes for a moment, Jeong Dajun looked down and barely moved his lips. I wanted to tell him to lift his head as it might be caught on camera, but Seong Jiwon spoke up, making Jeong Dajun suddenly lift his face. Oops! The countdowns about to start! Ah!! 59 seconds until Jeong Dajun bes an adult!! Wow~. Wow~. Such a lukewarm reaction!! Everyone! Its a new beginning! Lets do the countdown together! As the MC finished, the countdown to the new year began. 30! 29! 28! A little white breath could be seening from all the performers as they began the countdown. Joo Woosung, ustomed to the countdown from years of participating in such events, stood at the front, chatting andughing with his fellow ck Call members. The view in front was filled with the various colors of fandom lightsticks. The most numerous were, of course, ck Calls, followed by White Cherrys, Lea Purples etc., there were quite a lot. How much longer do I have to be pushed aside here? As I pondered, I caught sight of our lightstick, a blue triangle, in the distance. It could be that they were here with someone special, for the memories, or simply as fans. But regardless, it was clear that these people hade out on this cold day to see us. 17! 16! 15! Jeong Dajun was jumping excitedly next to me, and Seong Jiwon joined in. 2! Kim Seonghyeon counted down in a soft voice, and Kang Ichae turned to look at me. 1!! And then he smiled. As soon as thest number was called, brilliant fireworks went off. Happy New Year!! The MCs followed up with their New Years greetings. It was the start of a new year. Im aging another year! This is my second time turning 24. Convincing myself that it was okay to shamelessly im to be 24 when I was actually 34as it was technically my legal ageI looked around. First, I greeted the audience in the stands. People who were close to each other celebrated the New Year or exchanged hugs and greetings. Yeah. Well, good for them. I just wanted to wrap this up quickly and go home. Then Seo Hoyun!! Kim Seonghyeon suddenly grabbed my arm. Happy New Year! The other members piled on top of that. The fireworks. The lights. The temperature. See? Its all prepared for us. Dont get so moved you cry! Ahaha, cry? I wont cry unless I see 7.1 billion won in my bank ount.[1] Hoyuns tears are quite expensive, huh. Amid the excited members, I couldnt help butugh, as the song the staff had pre-informed us about started to y. It was a sort of signal that todays schedule was over. Following everyone off the stage and back through the corridor to the dressing room, I felt someones gaze pierce through me. Ah. It was Yoon Heeun. He wouldnt know that his dysfunction was my fault. As I smiled and nodded at the guy ring at me, his eyebrows twitched. He then began to walk towards me. Is this a New Years celebration? I was about to respond with a fresh retort for the first argument of January 1st when I felt someone pull me from behind. Crazy. It was Joo Woosung. Happy New Year. He casually draped his arm over my shoulder and sneakily nced at Yoon Heeun. Seemed like he intervened, thinking Heeun might start something with me. This guy too Yoon Heeun, noticing Woosung stepping in, quickly managed his expression and only greeted him before passing us by. Of course, Woosung ignored him. Watching this, I slowly matched my steps with Woosung and said, Still as much of a pushover asst year, huh? Thats the most annoying thing Ive heard this year. Hadnt the year just barely begun? Since the corridor back to the dressing room was buzzing, making it hard to hear, Woosung and I exchanged light-hearted jokes. You really attract a lot of weirdos, you know? Including Mr. Joo Woosung? I take back what I said earlier. Thats the most annoying. Woosung grumbled that probably for the next three months, he wouldnt encounter a more irritatingment. Just then, from afar, his fellow ck Call members waved at Woosung. Im off. I wasnt sure if he hade over just to cover for me. As he patted my shoulder and began walking towards his members, I called out to his retreating figure. Woosung. He used to avoid me like the gue when I was still a PD, but now he seemed to be trying to look out for me. Honestly, it was baffling. Happy New Year to you too. At least I could say that much. Woosung, turning around, looked slightly surprised before bursting intoughter, his eyes curving into crescents. Okay. But why the informal speech? For the New Year. Always has to have thest word, this asshole. Though he said it was annoying, Woosung chuckled. He swiftly moved away without giving a nce to any other idols around, heading straight to where his fellow ck Call members were. Talent, effort, and now, even character. Watching a top-ss idol who had changed in every way, I, stillcking in manners as always, soon turned away. Hoyun! Come on. Iming. New Year, new beginnings. Like a spell that made everyoneugh and chatter, we all were buzzing with excitement. I passed through the crowd and headed down to the parking lot so that we could finally return to the dorms. The parking lot was also a sea of people, all eager to head home. As soon as we boarded the van, the atmosphere quieted down a bit, and Kim Seonghyeon poked Jeong Dajun, who was sitting next to him, on the cheek. Jeong Dajun, congrattions on bing an adult~. Ahaha! Thank you~. You were lucky. Next year, minors will have to leave work by 10 p.m. no matter what. Was I almost counting down alone in the waiting room? Yep. Dajun would have truly felt left out, murmuring how fortunate he was to be born a year earlier, while Kang Ichae nonchntly made a joke. Its about time to introduce you to the bitter taste of society. What? You mean what Ive been through so far isnt the end? Still a long way to go The members, still not over their excitement, were noisy as well. Dajun, grinning despite the teasing from the older members, suddenly turned his head to look at me sitting in the back seat. Hyung, take this! And he offered me a candy that had been crumpled up in his pocket. Its a gift to prevent your lungs from getting ck!! Wow~, such consideration. Our bunny! Lets vigorously quit smoking in the New Year too! Thanks for the good wishes. But now, stay away from Kang Ichae. And stop rhyming. Yet Dajun seemed to have more to say as remained facing me even after finishing his verse. Hyung, also, because the timing didnt match up during the countdown earlier, I couldnt finish saying this. Dajuns giggly face came into view. I dont need to stand on the final stage within three years. Huh? Isnt it okay to take it slow? Whats wrong with it taking a long time, were going to keep going anyway. Ah. I stuttered a bit. Uhm. Missing the timing to respond, Dajun looked more embarrassed. Why, whats wrong? I first unwrapped the candy Dajun gave me and rolled it in my mouth a few times before changing my expressionpletely. Taking it slow, are you crazy? You dont n to make it before you enlist? Hoyun-hyung is already discharged from the military. Sorry, but unlike you, Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon will be quite old by then. Seo Hoyun, do you want to start the new year with that kind of talk? Kim Seonghyeon sighed deeply. This emotionless realist. Gotta teach the twenty-year-old the bitterness of society. Dajun, tilting his head slightly, luckily didnt catch any hints and chatted away with Seong Jiwon. At that moment, I heard the voice of the manager organizing the schedule, who was seated next to the driving road manager. Guys! At least make a call or send a text to your families. Ah, yes! Dajun immediately took out his phone. Judging by his nod, Kim Seonghyeon already seemed to have sent a text. From the New Year. Instead of texting Seo Hojin, I just turned my head out the window. Hits right from the New Year Click! A sh went off, causing me to squint and turn my head. Kang Ichae, seated next to me, was smiling brightly as he lowered the Proid camera. What are you doing? Ahaha. While everyone else was texting their families, it seemed he had dug out the Proid camera from the back seat. Taking a boyfriend shot~. Im nning to post it on the official ount. Im the boyfriend? Kyaa~, Id rather not have you as my love interest~. Kang Ichaeughed and then, waving the photo back and forth, asked, But Seo Hoyun, why are you spacing out alone? Its New Years; you should be happy and enjoying yourself. Its my early morning sentimentality, please dont disturb it. Aiyo~. Kang Yichae, who had been yfully bantering in response to my light retort, checked the photo and then held it out for me to see. It was slowly bing clear. How is it? Pretty, right? You took it well. Ill take one for you next year too. Kang Ichae smirked. Wouldnt it be nice to take one of each member on New Year? It would be good to collect and look at themter. Considering the scenario progress for the next two, or maybe four years. Ill probably take at least three or four. Knowing him, wouldnt he just shove it in a drawer and forget about it? So, I thought about keeping it in Seonghyeon-hyungs drawer. Please take care of it~. So, it ends up being my responsibility. Ah, I want to see too! I handed the Proid photo to Seong Jiwon. Watching Seong Jiwon chat cozily with Kang Ichae, I rested my chin on my hand. Pretty! Ill take one for you too. Oh, sounds good~. Really, collecting them one by one would be so nice. Seong Jiwon. Being cautious, lying, hiding. I did all that because theres something I wanted to know. He may have stumbled, but I couldnt deny that he was a wise guy. Everyone has something theyre desperate for.[2] That was true. I didnt know at his age, but Seong Jiwon already did. Hes right. So, what do you think, hyung? A good n, isnt it? I, too, was desperately curious. Yeah, whatever. I smiled at Kang Ichae. Once I leave this world, I might never see him again, or he may not remember me even if we met in the original world. He would probably be sad if he knew my true feelings. Maybe take more next year. Its okay since I didnt make a promise I couldnt keep. Hyung, so how does it feel to be twenty-four? Damn touching. Eh? I get it for me bing an adult, but why you? Youre young. Isnt it usually the opposite?? What would you guys know? After all, Ive regressed. [1] About 5.3 million USD. [2] See Episode 118. Chapter 136 Chapter 136 [After debuting a year and a half ago, we interviewed The Dawn, who just celebrated a sessful end-of-the-year stage and received the Discovery of the Year award. Despite their dazzling performance, they still seemed unustomed to it, shyly smiling and continuously expressing their gratitude.] Ugh. The leader of the nning team grimaced as he sat in the meeting room, flipping through a magazine that quickly published their recent interview with The Dawn. As he skimmed through the interview that focused on each member, he stopped at a page filled with Seo Hoyuns photo. Wrapped in a dark navy knit that contrasted with his pale skin, Seo Hoyun held a mug as big as his face with both hands and sported a gentle smile. [It seems like youve been running non-stop for the past year. Whats the secret to your sess? Hoyun: Itsrgely due to the help of those around me. Im just grateful to the seniors who paved the way for us.] At least five people got screwed over. If sending not only male idols but also several officials to rock bottom, thus rtively boosting his own poprity, counted as help, then Hoyuns statement was indeed correct. [It seems like the chemistry among the members is really good. Hoyun: Im always thankful to the members. We always trust and rely on each other.] It would be more urate to say that they tired of his insane antics and gave up. [What are your goals for the new year? Hoyun: To be with those Im grateful for.] It was a way of saying he didnt want to work with ipetent fucks. [What will you be doing in three years? Hoyun: I hope to have returned to my original resolve. It seems you could be a bit more ambitious. (Laughs) Hoyun: Im being ambitious enough. (Laughs)] I wish he would stop looking for his original resolve. The nning team leader muttered under his breath. However, either the magazine interviewer was thoroughly charmed by Seo Hoyuns detestable demeanor, or they simply wanted to save the magazines face by any means, the praises were unending. [We met with Seo Hoyun, who remained humble throughout the interview and never lost his kind smile. Its hard to believe hes only 24, given his mature and considerate demeanor that left the staff in awe throughout.] Awe-inspiring, indeed. Just then, Seo Hoyun entered the meeting room and greeted everyone. Just then, Seo Hoyun entered the meeting room to discuss the Japanese concept and, after briefly scanning the proposal, smirked. Wow How did something like this even get approved? Witnessing the tant derision from someone who didnt even bother to hide it anymore, the nning team leader felt a dull ache in his stomach. Well, Mr. Seo Hoyun, were a bit short on time No time? Its just that a few dramas have started filming recently, and there are several movies set to premiere around the same time so a lot of our manpower has been redirected towards the actors He tried to stutter out an exnation, but Seo Hoyun didnt listen, instead flicking the proposal with one hand and heaving deep sighs. That expression and posture of Hoyun. There was no way the team leader did not recognize it as an attempt to crush the nning teams spirit. And indeed, the leader of the nning team felt as defeated as a weed stricken by drought. Is it a matter of money? Its not like ourpany hasnt made a fair amount of money. Well, were a bit short on staff Should I help out then? If the issue is not having enough people to do the work, I can juggle idol activities, attend events, record, and now n as well, right? Maybe I should discuss this with the management team? Fuck. The team leader quickly lowered his trembling fist under the desk. Hoyun had a knack for infuriatingly goodebacks. Yet, he couldnt say a word. Although he had an awful personality, his feedback after just a quick nce at the proposal was better than that of many nning team members, not to mention his own. This nasty piece of work! Why the hell would an idol keep meddling, not just with the nning team but also with the management team and the A&R team? Normally, it would end with receiving the ns and expressing a few opinions. Haah Seeing the team leaders face that looked as if he had been wronged, Hoyun deliberately let out a loud sigh and shook his head. The team leader, whose spirit was already crushed from the start, could only curse inwardly. Is this guy serious? An absolute joke?? It would have made more sense to attribute such exaggerated titles to stars gued with star disease. The word humble didnt exist in the dictionary for a person named Seo Hoyun, the team leader thought angrily, grinding his teeth, when the meeting room door opened. It was Lee Jihyeon with a weary face. Ah, hello Hello, Ms. Lee Jihyeon. Only then did Hoyuns expression slightly rxed. Finally, a somewhat decent human being has arrived. His face tantly showed his thoughts, making the team leader seethe, but Jihyeon simply sat down in an empty seat without any reaction. Im sorry for beingte. Her face was the epitome of hitting rock bottom. Seeing Jihyeon, the nning team members, including the team leader who had been rolling around in frustration, sighed in relief. Ah Ms. Lee Jihyeon, why were you sote? Fuck! Dont start! Dont you keep time? As if they wanted to vent the stress umted from dealing with Hoyun on an innocent subordinate, one of Jihyeons senior threw a remark her way. But it only made the nning team leader even more pale. No!! Not in front of Seo Hoyun!! Lee Jihyeon was the only person Hoyun acknowledged in the nning team! However, Lee Jihyeon just quietly nodded her head. Normally, she might have fired back with Oh, yes, Im terribly sorry. But maybe due to continuous overtime and exhaustion, she just kept her mouth shut. Hoyun watched her quietly, then twitched his eyebrows slightly, He let it pass. Huh?? If youre going toe early and still not solve anything, just filling a seat, you might as well not havee. That was what Hoyun would usually say, wrapping it in a pretty package with a smile, but his demeanor was different from usual, leaving the team leader puzzled. Whats going on? Anyway, Im counting on you for the Japan project. Has Seo Hoyun decided to just leave Lee Jihyeon alone? While verbally agreeing, the team leader quickly did some mental calctions. But after that, as always, he acted like a night demon and stormed through the nning team, stirring them up thoroughly. Ah. Right. Yes? About the self-cams we shotst summer. I want to dig through the hard drive. Could you look up the data for me? Suddenly? However, once Seo Hoyun voiced a matter, there was no choice but to at least pretend to look for it. The foul-tempered guy was the same in front of the CEO, and for some reason, the CEO seemed to be intimidated by Seo Hoyun as well. Well, its okay if you do it when you have time. Ill try to look for it. Yes, thank you. Seo Hoyun didnt give Lee Jihyeon a single nce, just nodded his head and left the meeting room. Good work. Yes. As the team leader racked his brain, he realized something at that moment. Wow, fuck. Then he opened his mouth. Is he doing this on purpose? While it might feel refreshing to help her out in front of her coworkers, who knew what kind of bacsh Lee Jihyeon would face after the foul-tempered Seo Hoyun left. Especially since Lee Jihyeon, currently standing on the edge of a cliff, wouldnt be able to withstand that kind of a check. Crazy, an idol specialized in political maneuvering. The team leader looked at Seo Hoyuns back with a disgusted expression but still felt uneasy. Could Seo Hoyun really just endure this? Impossible. The team leader, thinking highly of his own ability to read people and situations, could swear on all his years of experience. That bastard would never just endure. This moment felt strangely like the calm before the storm, making the team leader very uneasy. Lee Jihyeon. Yes. Shall I go down and buy you a coffee? The team leader, not wanting to lose thepetent Lee Jihyeon nor face this dangerous storm, decided to y his best move. That was, to treat Lee Jihyeon well. . . . Lee Yeol I stroked my chin. Theres a reason he climbed up to be a team leader. Although he did just enough work, he possessed incredible quick wits. As I stood on the second floors railing, sipping on lemonade through a straw, I eyed the caf across the building where the team leader was buying coffee for Lee Jihyeon. Lee Jihyeon was gulping down the coffee with a dazed expression, not moving her lips. She definitely has her resignation letter right now. It was obvious. In a ce where even ordinary employees stored their resignation letters in hidden folders, it wouldnt have been strange for her to be keeping one, given her expression. I expected her to hit such a reality check around this time, and sure enough. While I poked at the ice with the straw and looked at the nning team leader and Lee Jihyeon, I turned around and organized my thoughts. Alright, the bait has been sessfully thrown. Now, the question was who would bite. I recalled the nning team employees I saw today. The CEO recently stepped back from the frontlines and only signed off on final decisions, while management handled tasks rather swiftly. The A&R team was doing well, with Kang Ichaemunicating slickly without crossing any lines. The PR team had been decent enough, with some experience in actor management The nning team is the most problematic. I just couldnt get a read on them. Even though it was an entertainmentpany specialized in actors, watching them continuously make mistakes was just astonishing. I wondered how they could tantly leech off their sries without getting caught. Anyway, I had no intention of easily letting go of Lee Jihyeon, the only gem within, even if she wanted to resign. Would I just let go of a pumpkin that has rolled in?[1] Hmm. Originally, in a mom-and-pop shop-likepany, the system made it tough for anyone with talent, regardless of being a newbie or whatever, because of haphazard management. We can just establish a position and create a rationale. Now, having entered my second year since debut, speaking out risked being seen as overstepping my bounds, potentially causing bacsh. Neither the nning team nor even the CEO was likely to listen, so I had to tread carefully. Hyung, hyung! Uh. What, you finished early?? Jeong Dajun, who had be an adult but wouldnt change overnight, was as bright as ever today. I opened the door for Dajun, who was bouncing towards the recording studio. Be careful with your head, Little Bouncy. Oh, yes. Dajun, buzzing with excitement, rolled his eyes at me and mumbled something as he stood at the door. What? What? Inside the recording studio, I could see the members already listening to the recording of our new Japanese debut cover song. Ah! Did you also go to the caf, Hoyun? Eh~? Wheres your sense? Why didnt you buy mine? Hey, what do you expect from Seo Hoyun. Kang Ichae was sprawled on the sofa. He then sat up and dramatically threw his cap as he spoke. Seemed like that guy was just trying to provoke Ill buy it on the way. As I replied nonchntly, the members who had been noisily adding theirments all shut their mouths. Among them, Kim Seonghyeon blinked in disbelief before confessing something. Actually, I cant drink caffeine. Didnt you drink Red Bulll yesterday, Seonghyeon? Hmph. His bluff was quickly called out. Seeing Kim Seonghyeon sneakily avert his gaze, Seong Jiwon handed me a piece of paper. Anyway, Hoyun. This is the trantion of the lyrics. We sorted out what will be included in the new tracks, can you check? Give it here. I slurped on my straw next to Kang Ichae and skimmed through the paper. Honestly, it was much better than the trashy proposal I had seen earlier, so I gave my honest opinion. Its beautifully written. Who did this? Its neat. And there was silence again. Did you just call it beautifully written garbage? No, I just said its beautifully written. Oh Regardless of their reactions, I pulled the straw from my cup and crunched on the ice. Seeing this, Kim Seonghyeon covered his mouth with both hands. Ive been thinking this since before, Seo Hoyun. What? Why . Why have you suddenly be so kind? Waaaaaah!!! Jeong Dajun genuinely freaked out and scurried to a corner of the recording studio. Dont, dont, dont say it out loud! Such things! Keep such thoughts to yourself! Damn A kind Seo Hoyun? Is that even possible? Seeing a word Ive never seen before. What was wrong with these guys? After giving Jeong Dajun a noogie for suggesting whoever wronged Hoyun-hyung should confess quickly and pounding on the table, I sunk deeply into the sofa. Is this the same Seo Hoyun who used to talk about filial impiety? Is he the same person who didnt blink an eye while sarcastically asking if being unnoticed felt good? I sometimes miss the Hoyun-hyung who screwed up his character at the beginning. Just shut it, sing the first verse. Phew, eek! Peace! Kang Ichae smiled broadly and brushed his chest. Worry not; Ive messed up enough already. Its a mess even when I try to be nice, seriously. I had intended to treat them better before I left. Your prickliness is your charm~. I know, you little shit. I had cleanly given up on my New Years resolution to be nicer to my dongsaengs and reverted to my usual self. Give me the work, Kang Ichae. Kyaa~. Despite being scolded, Kang Ichae chuckled away and pushed hisptop toward me. Hyung~ give it a shot~. It was our new debut song for Japan. [1] An idiom that expresses the luck or fortune of unexpectedly gaining something valuable without much effort. It implies that one would not easily let go of such a fortunate find. Chapter 137 Chapter 137 Im kind of worried. The Japanese cover songs had been recorded a long time ago, but two of the original tracks were continuously being reworked. It was because Kang Ichae wasnt satisfied with them. I cant get a grip; Im not feeling it. Moreover, there was one bonus track. In Japan, it was not umon for idol songs to be used for anime openings or endings. This time, with our debut in Japan on the horizon, Daepaseong Entertainment finally snagged something decent. Though it involved severalplicated steps and final approval, they said there was a chance the bonus track could be selected as the ending theme for a new anime. Does this sound like it could fit an anime? No. While there were various genres, Japanese music, including J-POP, had a distinct characteristic that made it immediately recognizable. And those were the songs that usually made it big in Japan. Especially this song had an added mission of fitting an anime. But the song Kang Ichae made? It just reeks of money from the beat. It was purely a slick and glossy beat filled 200% with Kang Ichaes taste. Until now, that vibe had sustained The Dawn, but the tracks for Japan needed to be different. I didnt expect to be worrying about something like this. Kang Ichae tilted his head, seemingly unable to catch the vibe. He appeared to be in a dilemma over whether to remove his signature style. Moreover, unlike games, he had zero interest in anime, making it even moreplicated. How do you remove the smell of money? I fucking love the smell of money, so dont ask me. Anyone but this money-grubber, please~. At Kang Ichaes shout, Jeong Dajun, who had been spinning in a wheeled chair some distance away, asked Kim Seonghyeon to push him, and he swiftly glided over. Hyung!! Have you never watched The Whirlwind Ninja Extravaganza when you were young? The Whirlwind Whats that? I dont want to talk with someone who knows nothing. Jeong Dajun, who had grown up (?) to be a drama enthusiast but devoured anime in his youth, looked at Kang Ichae with cold eyes before snatching away theptop and opening a YouTube window. Look! The moment you listen to it, you get excited, your heart swells! Somehow, you feel like running across the schoolyard with a tire on your back against the setting summer sun! It feels like the throbbing youth you buried deep in your heart five years ago is bursting forth again!! So, what were you doing when you were fifteen, Dajun~? I went to an English cram school~. You did? Seriously, isnt that too much?? Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae bickered. Anyway, Kang Ichae nodded. He seemed to get a bit of the feeling after listening to a few rted videos. Ah, um, okay, okay. Then, he hummed a melody and immediately set down a beat. Not like any factory, but he managed to produce a beat that felt like sweating under the zing sun before catching a refreshing breeze out of nowhere. Wow!! This is the right vibe! Crazy Kang Ichae, who was roughly matching a melody to the beat, just turned his gaze to Jeong Dajun. Is this good? Seemingly unsure whether it matched his taste, Kang Ichae tilted his head, his hand on his chin. Maknae, but the animes ending wasnt about running around a schoolyard with tires What was it? About a Japanese trainee trying K-Pop something like that, wasnt it? Ah, right? Jeong Dajun snapped his mouth shut, caught off guard. Though the Hallyu wave seemed to have died down, the K-Pop craze had started to pick up again in recent years. Eventually, it even became a theme in a manga, and The Dawn was working on an anime about Japanese male trainees achieving sess as idols in Korea. Then, lets just go with my taste. Kang Ichae, realizing he could incorporate his taste, seemed pleasedeven the clicking of the mouse sounding cheerful. Gone was the sweaty, youthful vibe. It was reced almost instantly by a cool, refreshing deep house genre EDM track. Damn It was overkill. No matter how inspired, how could it be possible topletely change the course of a song in just a few minutes? I would have been annoyed too. This genius kid. Lim Hyeonsu must have felt disillusioned for a reason. Kang Ichaes level and sense in creating music were skyrocketing, and now he was even incorporating usibility into his songs. Ichae. The other members continued to marvel at the scene, no matter how many times they saw it. Why did you just let things be, man? I thought Id experience some of lifes bitterness for once. Lies. You just didnt want to do it. Kang Ichae chuckled and stood up, heading into the recording studio. It seemed he was going to do a guide recording. How is he so talented? He managed to extract such a beat. Adding Japanese lyrics was something I figured thepany would handle just fine, so I was mumbling along to the beat when Kim Seonghyeon nced over at Kang Ichae entering the recording studio and said, Do you know about this? About what? Kang Ichae. I heard hes gotten a ton of love calls from other idol group agencies. They want him topose for them. I seemed to have heard something about it through the manager. At first, they tried going through thepany, but when that didnt pan out, they got his personal contact and went from there And? He tly rejected them. Why? Why turn down the chance to make money? I wasnt particrly against Kang Ichaeposing for others. As I stood there, puzzled, Jeong Dajun bounced over to me and waved Kang Ichaes phone. Look. ? Jeong Dajun smoothly unlocked Kang Ichaes phone. He scrolled through KakaoTalk, selected a conversation, and handed me the phone. It was a long message, going on about how they finally got his contact, reaching out after seeing his work, and if he was at all interested, to please reply. They promised a generous fee. But Kang Ichaes response was something else. Kang Ichae: Oh no, I cant Scrolling down, there was another message from Kang Ichae. No matter how persistent they asked Kang Ichae: Please ask thepany!! Even when asked if he had specific conditions Kang Ichae: Ichae doesnt really know about that stuff It was like this. Kang Ichae Talking in third person even to someone he had never met? I felt sorry for the employee of the otherpany who got irritated in the face of a stubborn twenty-two-year-old rapper. I then handed the phone back to Jeong Dajun. I was ying a game on Ichae-hyungs phone when a notification popped up and this was the kind of reply he was sending. He said it was okay to show it to the other hyungs when I asked yesterday. Why? Just do it. Its good money. Exactly. Unless it was to a rival group, Kang Ichaeposing for another idol group wouldnt cause much of a stir. Rather, it could fill the fans with pride that their group member was behind suchpositions. Moreover, idols with a knack forposition oftenposed tracks for other groups more frequently than one would think. Why do you guys have to make it sound so sad? A quick-witted guy who had left the recording studio caught on to our conversation topic just by the atmosphere and pouted. Do you like it when other people touch your stuff? Hoyun-hyung said he was keeping a check, but hes gotten a lot tougher. Being a leader is truly a tough job. Kim Seonghyeon walked away, looking disgusted. Really? Was it just too much trouble for him? Kang Ichae then sprawled back on the sofa. Comining for two hours about not wanting to do it, then sending over a guide recording after being inspired for one minute and working for five. This reminded me of someone Hmm. Kang Ichae was asionally arrogant. Not out of ignorance, but because he had an urate self-awareness, which made him even more so. Solid mental strength, quick wit, and shining talent. With such abilities, being humble would actually be weirder But Lim Hyeonsu is hitting a slump too. It meant Kang Ichae might face that period someday too. Rather than these contacts, I wish ourposer would hurry back. Its been too long since wevest seen her. Didnt she go off in search of love? Why on earth is she looking for love in California? Kang Ichae grumbled while picking up his phone. Even so, the fact that he didnt contact first showed he was well aware of the mind your own business principle. But did you hear about this!? What? Why ourposer is called Blue Tiger.'' Eh? Why? Honestly, I was not that curious. As I pushed away the clinging Kang Ichae, Jeong Dajun, who had been memorizing the Japanese lyrics of the newly finished song, chewed on the cap of his pen and said, Her first love. This already sounded bad. had a blue tiger tattoo. Wow Ugh Honestly, if it were someone else, itd be super cringey, but since its ourposer, it somehow feels cool. Right! Isnt it awesome?! Why would someone live like that? Cheongbeom, why are you so tacky? Despite having worked with Lim Hyeonsu for a long time in my original world, I had never heard such a story. Of course, I couldnt let such a baseless story infiltrate my ears. Seong Jiwon quietlyughed and asked from beside me, Should we get a group tattoo? When Jiwon-hyung says it, doesnt it almost sound real? Want to try getting The Dawn tattooed? Seriously, fuck, dont even joke about that. Ahaha. A group tattoo, not even a group ring? The youngest ones burst outughing and quickly disappeared to the convenience store to buy snacks, wallets in hand. Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon also said they were off to do a V-Live and left Left alone, I sucked on a candy and sprawled out on the ck leather sofa. Why does everyone seem so crazy these days? I clipped a piece of paper to my clipboard,id down, and fiddled with a pen before organizing my notes. The elements affecting our expansion into Japan included the duration of activities, content, and local recognition. Assuming Kang Ichae would handle the music Hmm, this seems important. The domestic bacsh against overseas expansion. Actually, about that After the performance at the end ofst year, I had a rough idea of the situation from the reactions that followed. I rolled the candy in my mouth and muttered, I did a pretty good job of cleaning up, huh? If Jeong Dajun was still here and heard what I said, he would have asked if I actually cleaned something. Drawing lines with my pen, I listed more names under our activities in Japan. Even though I was going to scrap it all anyway, I wrote in a way only I could understand, while to others, it seemed iprehensible. I wrote down the initials of the people I remembered, then drew lines over them, added question marks, or underlined them. And there was one person who notably stood out. [1] Referring to that person who must be having a stomachache from stress by now. . . . A few dayster, Lee Jihyeon really started feeling a stomachache. Pass on the Japan radio thing. Send an email for the anime soundtrack negotiations. She crossed off tasks on her to-do list. Jihyeon wanted to move on to a five-part series after finishing the Apocalypse trilogy, but thepany strongly advised against it. Jihyeon shook her head and grimaced. Those dumbfucks!! But she had to admit they were right. She realized going any further would be overkill, so Jihyeon decided to put the n on hold. Over the past year, she worked tirelessly as if she knew no fatigue. Along with the solid universe of the Apocalypse trilogy, the Hemeko project that greatly appealed to fans hearts, and the innovative (or rather, crazy) self-content. There was the perfect cob made possible by Jihyeons nning and Seo Hoyuns execution. This is a crucial turning point. The Dawn had managed to grab attention and establish a foothold in the ever-circting and saturated world of K-pop. However, they couldnt stop here. If they wanted to quickly move up to mid-tier, now was crucial. A new concept, a new universe, and this time, they had to capture the mainstream Activities in Japan That was the most troubling part. It was time to solidify their domestic position, but she worried fans might curse them for venturing overseas. The PR team says theyll be out soon! Activities, activities, activities Her legs trembled uncontrobly. Even hastily drinking coffee couldnt calm her down. During the active period of The Dawn, how many nights had she stayed up, fretting over every single response, shedding tears? Recently, always being in a state of exhaustion, she used to feel a mix of aplishment and emptiness at the same time. But now, due to the tension, all she wished was for this affair to pass by smoothly. Why are you shaking your leg so much, Jihyeon? Ah, um, well. Are you nervous? The team leader asked with a kind voice. Just as she was about to nod in appreciation, thinking he was genuinely concerned Huh? She saw the calm expressions of the entire nning team. In this office, the only person feeling anxious and restless was Lee Jihyeon. Arent you nervous, team leader? Hm? The team leader sipped his coffee and then tilted his head. Why would I be? Jihyeon is doing a great job, whats there to worry about? Always so reliable~. No, it seemed like he wasnt worried at all. Ah, shit. It was then Jihyeon realized. T-this fucking These few people had left everything about The Dawn up to Jihyeon. It wasnt peace born out of experience but more akin to indifference. Hearing that, Jihyeon blinked for a moment before hanging her head low. Huh? It was to hide the sudden realization that hit her. She didnt want to show the hollowughter that was about to escape. Thats why people say to do things in moderation. Dont work too hard when you enter apany, im you dont know how to make a pivot table even if you have an Excel certification, and even if you know a secondnguage, start by saying you dont There was a reason for such advice. No matter how hard you work, there were very few who would recognize its value, and while words could be kind, in the end, it was all a pretense aimed at using you for their benefit. Ah, an article just came out! Now The Dawn will do their V-Live. Shall we leave now? Yeah~. As Jihyeon took a deep breath, everyone pretended to check the reactions but quickly used the excuse that it was the job of the PR team and hurried out. Forget leaving. Jihyeon, who had nned to stay and munch on a sandwich while checking the feedback and nning ordingly, shakily stood up with a limp. Right. Ill go with you. Oh, really~. Im not doing it, not doing it! With that, Jihyeon forcefully closed her eyes and threw her work phone, which she had carried around all year in case of a call, into the drawer. Lets go. She stuffed her belongings haphazardly into her bag and trudged out of the office. Even though it waste, the PR team was still working, so turning off the lights in the nning teams office didntpletely darken thepany. In the lobby, numerous posters of Min Jiheon and The Dawn adorned the walls, but Jihyeon tried to ignore them. Honestly, I was being too sensitive. Right. What was I thinking? Isnt the overtime too much these days? Its the beginning of the year, so it cant be helped~. Jihyeon was too tired to argue or even respond to the nning team members chatting away. She kept her mouth shut until she reached the subway entrance. Whoosh. ?? Suddenly, she turned around. A startled nning team member grabbed Jihyeons arm. Where are you going, Jihyeon? Go ahead without me. It just didnt feel right. I need to go back for something I forgot. Really? Okay. Jihyeon wanted to go back and check. Goddamn! It wasnt about leaving early; she wanted to stay until the end to check the reactions! I know!! Im being way too sensitive!! Jihyeon hastily said goodbye and rushed back. Pant, pant. Jihyeon entered the dark nning teams office, where she had turned off the lights earlier, and relied on the light seeping through the door gap to press herputers power button. Tap-tap-tap. Bang!! Now, entering her workputer password felt more familiar than her homeputers Jihyeon typed quickly, her heart trembling as she searched for The Dawn and Daepaseong Entertainment. With shaky hands, Jihyeon clicked the mouse and blinked at the articles that popped up on the monitor. Huh? [1] Lee Jihyeon = Chapter 138 Chapter 138 [Wow!!! The Dawns debut in Japan!!!] Huh??? It was better than expected. Lee Jihyeon jumped up, surprised, and grabbed the monitor. [Super congrats, guys !! May you only walk on a path of flowers ] [Wow, as expected Make that yen #LetsGo] No, seriously, the reaction was good. It was a public ount, and though the asional harsh swear words were sprinkled in, seeing such a positive atmosphere was rare, so Lee Jihyeon rubbed her eyes a few times. She even checked her private ount that she had prepared beforehand. [Ah The kids are starting with Japan, as expected] Thankfully, the atmosphere here wasnt negative either. [It kind of felt like they were gearing up to go international (damn) Theyve been solidifying their position domestically for a year now Its not like theyre going abroad because they failed in Korea Theyve worked hard on their recognition so its inevitable they go overseas to attract capital] [It does seem a bit early but thankfully the period is short There are no big rookies debuting in January A few weeks wont cause a decrease in fandom And these cute kids are so active on V-Live, feels like theyre gonna post something again ] Naturally, there were some negative opinions about going overseas. Overly seasoned K-pop fans ground their teeth at the mere mention of overseas, so in a way, it was a natural reaction. Wasnt it a win not to have been massively criticized on real-time trends? As Seo Hoyun had said, they had really done a good job sweeping and cleaning up over the past year. [After all, in the past year, they worked really hard on variety shows, self-content, titles.. Thank you! We are The Dawn! (entry clip) The rising dawn! We are The Dawn! (exit clip) This is real] [The Dawn and Noeul always do this: The Dawn: Noeback no way no way no way Noeul: Dawnies always lie! The Dawn: (Quiet) Noeul: Huh? Really none? The Dawn: Comeback~!! Noeul: Keuk! Dawnies always! Ah] Even during the end-of-year stages,ments like Were really going to strip you bare, you damned rookies! kept popping up. But Jihyeon hadnt expected such a positive reaction to their overseas activities and was taken aback. Wow, amazing. [But? If they do too many overseas tours and miss out on the influx, theyllpletely uproot the radish] [The moment you focus on overseas money and neglect domestic fans, Ill scream in front of the lobby Ill pull down my pants next to you Please calm down] Yes, yep. As she refreshed the feed and saw the new posts, Lee Jihyeon tried to collect her thoughts, but tears trickled down from her eyes. She had truly spent the past year working like a dead person, getting pushed around by her boss and colleagues who wouldnt listen or follow trends. She received a bonus, and it wasnt without merit, but there wasnt much time to enjoy it, and even the smallest mistake felt like her fault. Moreover, she faced opposition from her boss, sabotage from her colleagues, and thus stress piled up incredibly Shit Thank goodness Therefore, the relief from the positive responses washed over her, and poor newbie Lee Jihyeon, who had been struggling madly until now, started to cry profusely. Whaahhaaahhaa. Thank goodness. Honestly, the debut in Japan wasnt such a big deal, and the period was short. She thought the bacsh wasnt so harsh since they were always criticized, but perhaps because of the umtion over the past year, once it burst, a flood of sorrow rushed in. Jihyeon forgot her embarrassment andy in the office, crying her heart out. Uhuhuh. And what came to mind at the same time was the resignation letter carefully stored in her heart. It wasnt about living a god-life, but she wanted to regain a human life. Do I really have to go this far? After calming down a bit and sniffling, Jihyeon quietly took out the resignation letter from her drawer and started to fill it out, fidgeting as she went. Lets not live like this. Lets throw it all away. I want my godly life. Then, a familiar voice came from the entrance. Lee Jihyeon. Seo Hoyun, with an indifferent expression and a book under his arm, leaned against the door. Jihyeon, who was writing her resignation letter, was startled, but Hoyun just nodded and approached. Did, did he hear? Are you still working? Ah, yes. Just ch-checking the debut reactions. Lee Jihyeon felt embarrassed. She quickly wiped her face with one sleeve and covered the resignation letter with her other arm, but she couldnt stop sniffling. The reactions were okay. Yes, I saw. You saw? He had seen, and yet he was so calm? Jihyeon often couldnt get a read on Hoyun. Despite starting social life early in the entertainment industry, and even though he grew up under the scrutiny of others, Hoyun was only 24 and in his second year as an idol. But for all that, he was indifferent to most things but prickly about the small stuff, and he was fearless. Thanks to Lee Jihyeon, the reactions werent bad. What, thats touching. Lee Jihyeon erased the description in front of her, looking at Seo Hoyun with a moved expression. Nobody had recognized her struggles, but when Seo Hoyun, notorious even within Daepaseong Entertainment for being a pain in the ass, acknowledged her, her heart felt unexpectedly warm. The activities in Japan seem promising. The anime ending song is likely to do well, and the showcase nning wasnt bad either. The tracks turned out pretty beautifully. Right? Kang Ichae put in a lot of effort. Seo Hoyun casually brought up work, then lightly sat on the adjacent desk,id a book on the opposite side, and pulled out a tissue packet. Sniff. Thank you. Yes. Whether Lee Jihyeon blew her nose or not, Seo Hoyuns gaze moved from her desk to the monitor. Um, is there something you need? Ah~. Surprisingly, Seo Hoyun didnt directly bring it up. This was different from the no-holds-barred approach Seo Hoyun usually took, so Lee Jihyeon was particrly more guarded. Just It was bothering me. Ah, uh Lee Jihyeon struggled to understand the meaning behind his words. What the heck? That SOB cared about others? Her tears, which had been flowing nonstop, instantly retracted. As she rubbed her eyes in disbelief, Seo Hoyun tapped on the desk. Working here is really tough, isnt it? Getting pushed around is a given, and no matter how hard you try, most dont recognize it. Even if they do, they just take advantage of you, expecting you to do more as if its only natural. People can be so cruel. Excuse me, Seo Hoyun. Yes? It was one thing to suddenly show up and build up to a topic. Why do you speak like youve been through the wringer for over ten years? Youre an idol Despite some hesitation, Lee Jihyeon couldnt help but voice her confusion, prompting a slight smile from Seo Hoyun. Didnt really work, huh? Though he meant to drop the pretense and buildup, Lee Jihyeon couldnt quite catch on. Wow. Lee Jihyeon, having abandoned K-pop for the 1D and 2D world, long dedicating their life and soul to it, genuinelycked interest in real people. However, she couldnt help but marvel every time Seo Hoyun smiled like that. And the way he looked was another story. The vibe this guy has. I have something for the quick-witted Lee Jihyeon. Yes? Lee Jihyeon looked at him anxiously. Admiration aside, Lee Jihyeon knew well that every time Seo Hoyun smiled like that, something, whether good or bad, was bound to happen. Sleep tight. Yes. Seo Hoyun changed his expressions and picked up the book he had ced beside him and handed it to Lee Jihyeon. With a suspicious look, Lee Jihyeon cautiously observed Seo Hoyun and then opened her eyes wide when she received the book. What? It was the first edition hardcover of Lee Jihyeons favorite novel, the very foundation of her extensive otaku devotion, long out of print for 16 years!! This, this, this is!! Front page. It was a book rumored to be unobtainable even for a million or ten million won. Feeling like lightning had struck her head, Lee Jihyeon was half incredulous, half thrilled as she shakily flipped to the front page. [Thank you for your support. Wishing you happiness always^^] It was a handwritten signature from the author, who was rumored to have stopped writing. Are you f-f-f-freaking kidding me?!?! Crash. Lee Jihyeon backed away as if she had seen a ghost, carefully cing the book on the desk without even noticing that her chair had fallen over. However, Seo Hoyun merely responded with a nonchnt retort. I heard you liked it? Are you crazy?!! Its not just something I like, I worship this! Its my religion! My Bible!! Jihyeon was shocked, as if the Bible in question truly radiated light, a blissful sight. How did you even No, why? Once during a meeting of the nning team, she had casually mentioned that she was a fan of this novel and wanted to get a hardcover edition. The shock that Seo Hoyun remembered this was one thing, but how on Earth he managed to get it? No, how did he manage to get a signed copy? Im d you seem to like it. Id like to tidy it up quickly too. Take it. Still in shock, Lee Jihyeon could only open and close her mouth,cking the energy to reply, and she slumped back into her chair after picking it up. Seo Hoyun simply leaned on one arm on the chair and with the other, moved the mouse to close the site Jihyeon was browsing. Click. Are you still nning to resign? This guy, he saw the resignation letter. Hesitating, Jihyeon shook her head as if enchanted, and Hoyun smiled broadly. Theplicated website closed, revealing the logo of Daepaseong Entertainment as the wallpaper. What is this? In front of her was either an angel who had brought her the signed first edition hardcover of the novel she worshipped, or a devil dripping sweet words to trap her. Even if Seo Hoyun were an angel, it made no sense for him to do such a thing without reason, so the quick-witted Lee Jihyeon managed to regain herposure and asked, Do you need a favor from me? Ahaha. Seo Hoyunughed as if he liked this aspect of Jihyeon. In contrast to her anxious face, Hoyun appeared very satisfied. Theres something I want to do. But I wanted to check with you first. ?? Lee Jihyeon frowned and looked up at Seo Hoyun. He averted his gaze from the Daepaseong Entertainment logo and looked down. Lee Jihyeon. Yes? Seo Hoyun had been thinking about his activities in Japan, but Are you, by chance, quite ambitious? He was gearing up to cut off unnecessary branches to climb up quickly to the first team. . . . Hmm. I recalled Lee Jihyeon, who had looked at me as if I were a messiah, continually pledging her loyalty. Was that really so great? I dont get it. As for the hardcover book I had gone through the trouble of getting it as a surprise gift for Kim Heeyeon after said she was a fan of the author. But, after supporting Hojin through his CSAT and getting swamped with work, Ipletely forgot about it. Even after our breakup, life was so busy that the item remained forgotten and gathered dust. Had Lee Jihyeon not mentioned it during the briefing, it would have probably remained forgotten. Anyway, it was a gift intended for my ex-girlfriend, but ultimately, I couldnt give it to her, and now it was toote to do so. Not that it didnt bother me. The item itself isnt to me. Shameless and without conscience, but feeling refreshed having sorted it out, I disembarked from the business ss of the airne and arrived at Narita Airport. I greeted the airport staff while hanging around Seong Jiwon, who knew Japanese. After going through immigration, I stuffed my passport into my pocket and looked at the scene in front of me with a fresh smile. Wow~. The air was a bit warmer than Koreas winter, there were characters I didnt understand, and the atmosphere was somewhat quiet. Its Japan. Refreshing. I guess I did well toy the groundwork beforeing? Indeed, one should always handle things well in advance. Kim Seonghyeon, with a neck pillow strapped to his side, looked at me with a grimace. I always hate it when he smiles like that, am I abnormal? Beep. Youre normal. Jeong Dajun responded while Kim Seonghyeon touched his forehead, and at that same moment, I found myself smiling again. It was the beginning of our first overseas activity. Chapter 139 Chapter 139 Seo Hoyun what on earth is he up to? If Kim Seonghyeon had realized one thing from observing Seo Hoyun over the past year, it was that Seo Hoyuns refreshing smile appeared only in two specific cases. One, when he had sessfully messed with someone he disliked. (Just like when he was targeting someone today.) Two, when things were going ording to his schemed n. (Just like now, in an annoying way.) Is it thetter this time? Kim Seonghyeon, unaware that Seo Hoyun had alreadyid the groundwork for the former, made such a guess. Thetter seemed more usible because the situation had unfolded exactly as he nned. The response to their activities in Japan had been surprisingly positive, proving this point. [Title: Seems like The Dawn are truly a bunch of unique weirdos; todays V-Live summary saying theyre going to Japan was pretty peaceful. Jiwon: The Dawns pronunciation in Japanese is Ja Do-On, you know . Dajun: ?? Ja Do-on?? Jiwon: Thats how its pronounced in Japanese!! Jeong Dajun is extremely confused by the Japanese pronunciation. Seonghyeon: What does that mean? It sounds familiar. Ichae: [1] Kang Ichae, sucking on a candy, types something into his phone dictionary and shows = Piglet. Ichae: Hoyun: AhSorry They couldnt say it out loud, but the two of them were giggling like crazy in the back (Hey, you know thats the name of your group, right?) Meanwhile, Jeong Dajun is shocked. Dajun: (Shocked) Are we piglets? Seonghyeon: Hey, Jeong Dajun, watch your words. Jiwon: (Still splitting the word) A leader being aware of the V-Live Dajun: . Huh? Did I do something wrong? Seonghyeon: Well thats a bit if you reverse it Dajun: ? Huh? (Realization) Ah!!!! If you think about it the other way around! Seonghyeon: (No way) Dajun: (Snaps fingers & gets excited) Pig![2] Hyungs: (mor) Hey!!!! Hey Hey Jeong Dajun!!! The hyungs drag Dajun away to calm him down Dajun: ;;;;; Sorry..;; Hyungs: Jeong Dajun is reflecting It wasnt on purpose, so please be lenient In the midst of this, Seong Jiwon alone is in peace, casually readingments Jiwon: Apart from Ja Don, theres also Do Don! Jiwon: They deliberately made it sound simr to Korean! Members: (Right now, fuck, thats not whats important) But these days, Seong Jiwon is indeed the epitome of chill Hoyun: Lets just go with that. Ichae: Its cute, Do Don. Hoyun: Do Do Don~ Ichae: (Giggles) (Lately, Kang Ichae and Seo Hoyun are really hitting it off) Are these guys doing this on purpose? Now I dont know if Im selling idols oredians Dodo-ly-don Every time I turn on V-Live, its like a mysteryedy show Jeong Dajun is a silver spoon blessed by the heavens, so sometimes Kang Ichae genuinely gets his pride hurt Meanwhile, Hoyun: Silver spoons are just something youre born with Remarks Next to him, Seonghyeon: Its okay, werent you born without the shame gene? Quietly retorts Oh, the hyungs rivalry is quite fierce] Thus, the viewers of The Dawns V-Live were out of their mindsughing. Not all feedback was positive. [Wait, so Seo Hoyuns spending his birthday in Japan?] [tlqkf I suddenly want to kill Daepaseong Entertainment] But instead of worrying about suchments, most fans decided to think differently, focusing on what reactions they might elicit in Japan. [The kids are going to Japan and its like theyre hitting their prime again. Be princes of the yen ande back] [The Dawn will definitely be popr in Japan Their concept is basically otaku bait, isnt it??] [With their strong individualities they wont fail. Kang Ichae might be the popr member] [Title: Predicting The Dawns Popr Member in Japan Generally, Japan loves the absolutely handsome, pure, and manga-like faces. If I say this much, you know who Im talking about, right? [3] Starts with seong and ends with won The middle must be tough Seems like he might have a mole on his nose Just write Seo Hoyun and Seong Jiwon in the title ] Like idol, like fan. Noeul did their best to be funny, putting all their pride on the line and not forgetting to showcase their talents. [Title: How do Japanese kids speak?? The Dawn is about to debut, so kinda curious.. Do they also fangirl a lot? Should I try imitating them? Go ahead Ok Herees another idol from Korea!! I dont want to admit it, but, honestly, I kinda like Ja Dons songs w Honestly, whye to Japan? Running out of money? (sigh) shit theyre so good Do the version thats interested in K-pop Eh, everyone doesnt know? Thats impossible! (O_O;) Amazing, Ja Don is. The most anticipated rookie after Brakku Kuro? (I like Usong w) Whats Brakku Kuro? ck Call Whats Usong Woosung Is this for real? ] [Title: How to Pretend to Be a Japanese Fan of The Dawn
  1. First, install a Japanese keyboard, and use only Japanese characters for symbols
  2. Attach absolutely, shall I, sigh, etc.
  3. Dont differentiate , endings, just use for everything [4]
  4. (Most important) Suddenly use honorifics Example: Shall I say Hoyun and Seonghyeon are absolutely cute? (*`*)
Eh? I talked too much by myself. Somehow, I feel embarrassed. (Sigh) Definitely support Do-Don!! Refer to this when The Dawn debuts in Japan Did you swallow a Japanese person? ] After arriving in Japan, The Dawn was gaining poprity beyond what even the hardcore K-pop fans had anticipated. Theres our album at Shibuya Building Records. Oh! Lets go take a pictureter. Is that possible? Cant we? Not only the Second Chance cover song but all the tracks in the album were climbing the charts at an rming rate. Moreover, Daepaseong Entertainment surprisingly went all out with promotions, securing a corner on the first floor of a famous Japanese store. Thanks to that, even overseas, there were people who would turn around to take another look at them as they walked down the street. [Hoyun, a real angel] Primarily, Japanese K-pop hardcore fans, who swiftly switched from idols in a highly praised rtionship to The Dawn, were thrilled with the new influx. Most of the praise was directed at Seong Jiwon and Seo Hoyun, with Jiwon, who was fluent in Japanese, easily winning people over, and Hoyun, with his pretty face, also enjoying poprity. Hoyun. Hmm? They say youre really an angel. ?? It was because he was not fluent in Japanese and kept his mouth shut, that Japanese fans, who only saw his face, nicknamed Seo Hoyun a real angel. Me? Had Joo Woosung, who wasnt exactly popr in Japan, heard this, he wouldve scoffed, Real bs. In fact, Hoyun himself found it very bewildering. Me? He had at least a shred of conscience. Kim Seonghyeon, who was nearby, casually remarked, Just standing still gets you halfway there. The old sayings arent wrong. Kim Seonghyeon, is life treating you well these days? Seeing Hoyuns eyes sparkle, Kim Seonghyeon mmed up and quickly distanced himself. Meanwhile, Japanese fans who were smitten with The Dawn were seeking a new target to moe-fy beyond the real angel Hoyun. [The Dawn members birthday/animal moe-ification Seonghyeon (March 14) Wolf Hoyun (January 30) Rabbit Jiwon (August 31) Deer Ichae (July 11) Fox Dajun (October 22) Puppy Eh?? Hoyun is a rabbit in Korea? No way] [Hoyun-chan always ends his sentences with nya, hes totally a cat, right? ughter)] From the get-go, domestic fans, who had sessfully pushed the narrative of Seo Hoyun as a rabbit, were now making efforts to ensure his smooth settlement in Japan as well, even using trantors tomunicate openly with Japanese fans on SNS. [They say his personality is really like a cat, why a rabbit Rabbit Hello Korean fans? I want him to be a cat~. Rabbit I want him to be a cat~. Rabbit . Korean fans are scary ] As Korean fans pushed Seong Jiwon as my own little skrk and proposed to make Kang Ichae as an Abyssinian cat, they unleashed their diverse desires amidst heated discussions among the Japanese fans. Hoyun, naturally, was only scratching the back of his head, unaware of such developments. Japan. Seo Hoyun had visited Japan just once when he was younger. As aplete family. The foreignndscape, slightly strange yet exciting and somewhat reminiscent of South Korea, initially had him wide-eyed, looking around. He even teased his younger brother, Seo Hojin, and ended up making him cry, which led to a scolding from their parents. Hmm. Quickly shaking off these sappy sentiments, Seo Hoyun looked back at his members. Hyung, have you been to Japan before? No. And he lied about it naturally. The members eyes sparkled with excitement as they agreed that they felt the same way. Of course, we know Except for Kang Ichae, some said their first-time flying was when they went to Jeju Ind for vacation. Can I go to Shinjukuter?! Theres nothing in Shinjuku What?? I was nning to go to Shinjuku to eat gyukatsu?! Seo Hoyun brushed off Jeong Dajuns words, who wanted to follow the quintessential tourist route for Koreans visiting Japan for the first time. During the local fan meeting, Kang Ichae, who used to shout about eels, now seemed uninterested in anything in particr, quietly looking around and taking pictures [But hey the B-side track is insane, its so refreshing] What was unexpected during this Japanese venture was the reaction to the anime ending song created by Kang Ichae. The B-side track Colors that was finally chosen as an animes ending song, was filled with a sophisticated yet refreshing feeling. Baby, this is a bit difficult as soon as the curtain rises from backstage You keep dancing and I cant stopughing when I see you. The melody was deceivingly catchy. [As a K-pop otaku who even listens to the Japanese releases, Im telling you, this is the real deal] Although the tropical deep house genre EDM melody had a refreshing summer concept, no one questioned it. [Theres a reason it was released in winter. Listen to it in winter and again in summer, right? Daepaseong Entertainment is clever Isnt this just self-justification now? Busted] Not only did the B-side track stir up emotions like a sunset, but it also received an overall positive response. [Oh;; looks like that popr manga got animated And the ending song is that B-side track] [Wow, K-pop is really popr, huh? Amazing, its climbing the charts] [Wow;;;] [Feeling proud as a Korean Makes me want to wave the national g] Lets paint our future together. After meeting you, Ive changed. The lyrics were written considering the animes protagonist and the characters around him, and the song, a slice of that summer, was quickly embraced not only by the K-pop mainstream but also by manga fans, enabling its swift entry into the Japanese market. The Dawn, of course, didnt expect the B-side track to chart, but it ranked quite well. [Ah, wow, the anime must be pretty popr???] [Not just good, but seems like it hit jackpot The response seems decent, feels good to ride the bus again after a long time] [Should we perform Colors at the showcase?? Do I need to bypass the IP to watch it??] Thanks to this, the most attention at The Dawns Japanese debut showcase wasnt on the title track Second Chance but on Colors. [Ah fuck, Im looking forward to the performance but suddenly Im scared Thinking about everyone watchingter shit, were not gonna get trashed, right???? ] [Shaking in anticipation until the showcase time] As the days passed, some Noeuls were trembling with the growing expectations, wondering if they could match the quality. And at that moment, what was Seo Hoyun feeling? My whole body aches like hell There was not an iota of nervousness to be found. After finishing the first part with Second Chance, he quickly changed clothes, wiped off his sweat, and drank some water. Lee Jihyeon contacted me yesterday. After all, he had prepared for the stage with gritted teeth, and his mind was busy timing things with political maneuvers. Then,ments in Japanese were heard from the MC seat on one side of the stage. Thements are about to end, get ready for standby! Okay! Behind the stage, the members adjusted their ear microphones to fit perfectly and exchanged looks. As Seo Hoyun sluggishly got up to focus on his main job, Seong Jiwon, who was next to him, kindly asked Jeong Dajun. Dajun, are your shoes okay? Yes! Ive tightened them really well! Jeong Dajun tapped the front of his tightlyced sneakers on the ground. Compared to a year ago, it was apletely different, rxed attitude, and his yful eyes were full of confidence. Our piglets, the younger members, always worked hard to present the perfect stage for their fans. As he flicked his bangs, Kang Ichae grinned. Shall we go, Seo-causing-chaos-again? Rabbit-chaos, what?! It was an abbreviation of Seo Hoyun causing chaos again, but Jeong Dajun, misunderstanding, stood up abruptly.[5] Were pigs in Japan! Dont forget the professional mindset! Our maknae is really into it Lets go, piglets! Oink oink~. With light-hearted jokes andughter easing their tension, the members walked toward the stage. As the bright lights shone and cheers poured in, confident smiles formed on their lips. Little did they know, in just 5 minutes, they would be part of the biggest broadcast incident in The Dawns history, unknowingly setting the stage for a try-not-tough challenge. [1] = , meaning to wait [2] This exnation might be a bit tricky, so lets simplify it. The term (jadon) trantes to piglet. But, you can also express piglet as (saekki dwaeji, literally meaning baby pig), or more straightforwardly, as (pig). Interestingly, also doubles as a swear word. Phew, hope that clears things up! [3] Good luck! [4] In Korean, particles like and are used after a noun to mark the subject of a sentence, and their use depends on whether the noun ends in a consonant () or a vowel (). [5] Ichae said ttokkaengpan (), but Hoyun heard it as tokkaeng (), which happens to mean rabbit. The sound starts with a strong, unaspirated d sound, simr to the d in dog but without the puff of air while begins with an aspirated t sound, like the t in top where theres a noticeable puff of air. Chapter 140 Chapter 140 BeepBeep! Inside the hall where The Dawns debut showcase in Japan took ce, not only the people there but also the Noeuls watching the live broadcast at home felt their hearts pound as the lights went off and darkness descended upon the stage. BeepBeep! As a lively beat filled with a hint of freshness and excitement flowed, pastel lights turned on. Positioned a bit back in the center of the stage was arge sofa, and lying on it with his eyes closed was Kim Seonghyeon. [OMG, the stylist is insane] A loose basketball uniform draped over a white knit or T-shirt with a deep navy line following the V-neck. Shorts that came up slightly above the knees or baggy jeans with a long belt hanging down. And white socks that came up high with sneakers!! [Ahh, how did they know I absolutely adore this kind of look] Everyone tore their hair out over the refreshing youthful look that seemed to emanate from the outfit. [White T-shirt + basketball uniform always wins] [Suddenly going to Japan pisses me off. Wearing white socks to Japan pisses me off so much] While the Noeuls unexpectedly filled with anger(?), the rm sounded loudly once again. BeepBzzzzzz! At that moment, Kim Seonghyeon sat up from the sofa, rubbing his eyes. Yes, time to wake up. The lyrics matched that of a manga about a protagonist aspiring to be a sessful idol in Korea. The anime interweaved the protagonists determination to ovee challenges, the thrill of pursuing dreams, and the anxiety of seeking sess in unfamiliar territory. Lately, I cant fall asleep, my heart keeps pounding, and my lips are dry. Can we really do well? [Kim Seonghyeons deep voice is so fucking good] [His expressions have gotten so much bettertely Seonghyeon, youve got it all] Kim Seonghyeon found practicing his expressions under Seo Hoyuns sarcastic guidance more challenging than memorizing Japanese lyrics, but fortunately, he seeded in delivering a decent performance on stage. But we keep telling each other (Of course, what are you talking about?) Lets color the canvas as we wish. Kang Ichae appeared from behind the sofa, squinting his eyes and locking gazes with Kim Seonghyeon, who then stood up with a smile. Then, Jeong Dajun also popped out from behind the sofa, jumped over the backrest, andnded with a thud as he began singing his part. New Colors! My heart keeps pounding, feeling this tension and excitement for the first time. [Ah, the lyrics are so, so good. A new challenge = color, dang] [Cant believe the members wrote and tranted this Love your sensibility] From behind the stage, you tell me That in this moment, were going to realize our dreams! Then, Kang Ichae, with a yful expression, leaned one arm on the back of the sofa and tapped Jeong Dajun with the other hand whileughing. Rather than that, wouldnt it be nice if you stayed by my side? I swallow these words and instead say, I also believe we will! Along with a refreshing beat, Seong Jiwon and Seo Hoyun came out from both sides and synchronized their dance moves. [Real angels have arrived Of course, one of them has a peculiar personality ughter)] Now, not only Seo Hoyun but also Seong Jiwon were referred to as real angels. Despite theirpletely different personalities, they appeared harmonious at a nce because they both looked simr when smiling. Seong Jiwon took a step forward with a slightly puckered nose and mischievous expression and tilted his fingers to the right as if moving the hands of a clock. Lets paint our future together, meeting you has changed me, you know? Next to him, Seo Hoyun sat on the sofa, propping his chin while swirling his eyes. Today, tomorrow, and the day after, well be together! Then, he jumped up from his seat and cheerfully joined the other members at the back. From there, the choreography grew intensely detailed. Kim Seonghyeon grabbed his chin with hisrge hand and shook his head from side to side, while the members changed their positions relentlessly to match his small movements. [Wow, these guys always dance like theyre breaking their bodies;;] [Dancing like its thest stage every time.. love you.. ] The performance stayed perfectly in sync, with not a single beat missed. My heart keeps pounding, I want to tell you I wish this moment couldst forever! But then, a problem urred. [Oops;;] [Dajuns shoce hase undone] Would youugh if I said this? Buzzing with more energy than usual, the puppy unleashed a dynamic dance move, his feet pounding the rhythm, when suddenly [Oh no, baby] Despite being tightlyced, the sponsored sneakers he wore that day slipped off due to the excessive force from rubbing and kicking the floor, coupled with the fact that they were half a size too big. Whoosh That shoe, having lost its direction in mid-air ! THUD!!! right on top of Kim Seonghyeons head, who was moving to the back to dance. ??? Like a scene from an anime, the sneaker beautifullynded on his head and rolled off the floor as his body continued to move in sync with the choreography. [] Kim Seonghyeon didnt stop dancing, but he couldnt grasp the situation, his mouth remaining slightly agape as his expression hardened. [Ah] Even a light canvas sneaker must have hurt when falling with such speed and force, but the instinct that the show must go on and the embarrassment were clearly visible on Seonghyeons face. As Jeong Dajun moved position, he looked over at Kim Seonghyeon and the shaking of his eyes were captured vividly by the camera. [Ah!! Damn, what do we do now??? ] [Jeong Dajun is like a lucky charm sent from heaven, this is crazy] [But right now, the peopleughing the most are all Seong-fans, ah Seong-fan: A surprisingly lucky day] In an instant, due to the broadcast ident, except for Kim Seonghyeon who became an idol hit by a shoe in the showcase and Jeong Dajun who hit the idol with the shoe, the others held their breath or bit the inside of their cheeks. To hold back their realughter. Today, tomorrow, and the day after, well be together. Especially Kang Ichae, who got hit directly by theugh button, chewed on his lower lip whenever he was off camera to keep himself fromughing. [Hey, how are we going to handle theugh challenge, ah damn, ah damn, Im alreadyughing my ass off, but what about them] [Jeez Ah, its live right now, they have some extreme job, ah] [Hey, this is our debut showcase in Japan, what do we do Hey Hey, what should we do] Knowing they couldnt just stop, those who hadnt seen the scene a few seconds before continued dancing on stage as if nothing had happened. Even Dajun, now in socks and one sneaker, maintained a broad smile as he continued to dance. Ah, this is a bit troubling. Once we get backstage and the curtain rises, You keep dancing, and I just Cant stopughing. Surprisingly, the rap lyrics perfectly matched the situation, and Kang Ichae, who had been barely holding in hisughter, finally burst outughing, causing Jeong Dajun to clench his teeth. [Look at Kang Ichaeughing, right when the lyrics match] [Clever bastard] As Ichae stepped aside,ughing all the while, Seo Hoyun, positioned at the center and smirking as he kept in step with the choreography, shared nces with Seonghyeon and Jiwon on both of his sides. [Whats this] [Why are you looking at each other] My heart keeps racing, I want to be painted in your color. As the Noeuls was buzzing, Seong Jiwon moved ording to the choreography and kicked the shoe that had fallen close to the edge of the stage, pushing it toward Seonghyeon. [Wow] [;;;;] Seeing that, Kim Seonghyeon changed the original choreography as he spun around and smoothly picked up Jeong Dajuns shoe. [Whoa] Would youugh if I said this? While passing the shoe back to Seo Hoyun [Ah damn] Instead of sitting on the couch with Jeong Dajun, Seo Hoyun knelt on one knee on the floor and grabbed Dajuns ankle. [Aaaaaah!!!] And he put on the other shoe for him. I may have a bad temper (Yeah I know), Always doing things my way. [Ugh Aaaaaah Ah!!! Ah!!!!!] [Seo Hoyun, you son of a bitch] [Lol Suddenly stoppedughing, hand frozen] The cob between Seong Jiwon, Kim Seonghyeon, and Seo Hoyun looked so natural that even the shoe-throwing ident seemed like a nned performance. I dont mind losing if its to you. Seo Hoyun grinned, tapped Jeong Dajun on the head, and stood up. They naturally returned to the group choreography. Among the monochrome, only your color The center switched between Seo Hoyun and Seong Jiwon, with Jiwon stepping forward. I wish this moment couldst forever, Can I stay by your side? (In my world, youre the only one shining) Then, as he made a knocking gesture, Kim Seonghyeon pretended to rub the spot where he was hit by the shoe and mimicked opening a door. I swallow these words and instead say, Lets paint tomorrow together, Ive changed for you, okay? Today, just like any other day, the members earnestly performed their main jobs and smiled brightly at the camera. My Colors! . . . Wow, hyung, Im really, really, really sorry!! It was a good experience, maknae How did you get hit like that?? The camera fully recorded the Japan debut showcase, which became a bit of a topic in Japan as well. Thanks to it, The Dawns showcase stage even made it to Japanese video sites withments embedded all over. The scene where Jeong Dajuns shoe flew off waspletely filled with Japaneseughter emoticons. [][1] [DangerousDangerousDangerous] [Dying ofughter w] And it even made it to the trending videos on Japanese YouTube. For a newly debuted idol, it was a groundbreaking move. Even those with zero interest in idols came to watch the funny video, which yed a significant role. [Everyone isughing, but Im genuinely amazed at the Koreans ability to handle situations] [The disbelief on Seonghyeons face ughter), Jiwon cant hold back hisughter for sure] [Dajun looking flustered is cute] [Stoppedughing at the part where Hoyun is putting on the shoe, is this child an angel?] [Hey, redhead, all you do isugh w] Korean fans alsoughed their heads off. Typical Korean idols Japan debut showcase, The Dawns on-stage ident handling skills clips with such titles brought joy to everyone, but Dajun, theyre talking about you here~. Ugh!! Stop! Dont push it on me!! Jeong Dajun proved the exception. Each time he remembered that moment, he desperately apologized to Kim Seonghyeon, his face turning red to the tips of his ears, embarrassed and ashamed. Ah, really!! What would I have done if you guys hadnt helped me back then?? Shocking, right? Honestly, I got a years worth of emotion from Hoyun-hyung alone. If it hadnt been for the showcase stage, the best kindness the hyungs could have offered might have been a Here you go and throwing their shoes at him, but Jeong Dajun just shook his head vigorously with a moved expression. Seong Jiwon chuckled softly beside them. Lucky there wasnt a bigger ident. Whoa, really Thanks for the bigugh to start the year~. Quiet, the-rapper-who-onlyughs Jeong Dajun growled at Kang Ichae, who was making an absurd im that he had captivated the audience with his amazing stage performance instead. Anyway, everyone sighed in relief that they had finished the stage to the end, but Seo Hoyun was sitting a bit away on a sofa, silently looking at his phone. The other members nced at him and murmured among themselves. But its happening at midnight today, right? Kim Seonghyeon asked. Of course, we even booked a separate hotel room for it. With your own money? Thats harsh Kang Ichae smirked and plugged in his earphones. But you think Seo Hoyun will really fall for it? That Seo Hoyun. With a sense sharper than anyone elses and a mind that worked three times, would Seo Hoyun really not know about the surprise camera? Ahaha. What are you even talking about, hyung? Having second thoughts? Unlike Kim Seonghyeon, Kang Ichae wasnt the least bit worried about the aftermath, just chuckling away. Licking his lower lip, Kang Ichaes eyes gleamed like a predator eyeing its prey. Im confident about it. For the recording of the ultimate surprise camera on January 30, Seo Hoyuns birthday. Kang Ichae was more serious about it than anyone. [1] Basically, its a Japanese ng meaning tough. /2017/11/w-ww-meaning-japanese.html#Number-of-ws Chapter 141 Chapter 141 January 30. It was Seo Hoyuns birthday, The Dawns sub-vocal. The Noeuls were buzzing with excitement. [Guys, The Dawn must be really popr!!! Ah, Im so proud Theres a fancam from the department store and there were so many people, and they all knew the fan chants ] [So moved I told you hed be the prince of yen~~~] [Even if Japanese fans call him a silly cat, we can graciously let it slide.] The excitement was partly because The Dawn was doing well in Japan, and [Its Hoyuns birthday soon] Everyone had been looking forward to Seo Hoyuns birthday while listening to Colors, a track included in their Japanese album. [Wow, seems like Seo Hoyun really is a popr member Korean fans are so hardcore, theyve even put up a birthday ad for him on a billboard in Japan right after their debut there.] A birthday celebration video ad was even disyed on a building in the heart of Tokyos Shinjuku. It was only a short clip of a few seconds, but it was enough to fill the fans hearts with joy. [But watching the video made me tear up So thankful Hoyun was born Truly moved Why am I feeling so sentimental today? Because Hoyun was born with a godly face.. Thats really touching] [The guys will turn on V-Live for the birthday party, right? The only downside is that its in Japan] [Have we decided what the birthday hashtag will be??] As the fans chatted excitedly [Seems like a surprise camera is impossible ] [ A surprise cam for Hoyun? Confused] [Hed pretend to be surprised, wouldnt he? Of course] That was the general consensus. Imagining Seo Hoyun being surprised and crying over a surprise party or hidden camera prank seemed impossible. [Crying would seem like a hallucination now Ah ] Therefore, the fans were only expecting the members of The Dawn to do something simple, like making a cake together or having a gift exchange. [Mission Impossible Silly Cat Surprise (Feat. 2 Units)] But the V-Lives title was strange. [?????] [What???] As the fans quickly logged onto V-Live, Kang Ichaes face appeared. Hello~. Wearing a ck hoodie with the hood up, and doing a flower pose with both hands, he grinned widely in a hotel room. Everyones slowlying in. Since were short on time, lets get straight to the point. You all know what day it is, right? Kang Ichae hummed as he tapped on theptop keyboard, a device prepared by the nning team. Its our sub-vocals birthday We cant just let that pass, can we? [What what what] [OMG are you guys really doing a surprise??] [Wow, Kang Ichae is so daring] Seo Hoyun no longer fell for such tricks. Initially, he might have been caught off guard, but now he knew the members personalities all too well. Moreover, his already shameless nature had been upgraded with a steel mentality, making it impossible to tease him. He has changed a lot. It used to be fun teasing him until the role reversal game. Even if they teased with Silly cat or HouHou, now hed just retort with something like Carrot Carrot, leaving Kang Ichae feeling defeated. I cant just let it go. My pride wont allow it. So, Kang Ichae put a lot of effort into nning this. He was quite satisfied with the scheme, and if well executed, even Seo Hoyun could be fooled. Mission Impossible Silly Cat Surprise Party. Now, lets quickly go through the n. Kang Ichae snapped his fingers. As if on cue, the Mission Impossible theme song started to y. Dun dun, dun dun dun, dun dun! If we try to put a camera in front of the suspicious Seo Hoyun or clumsily set it up, hes bound to notice. So, with the hotels permission, weve reserved the entire floors corridor, a part of our rooms, and installed cameras everywhere in advance. [Crazy] [Stop ying spy movie music, you crazy bastard] nning with the team in advance made cooperation easy. You can check everything from here. Arge TV screen behind Kang Ichae lit up, disying CCTV footage divided into quadrants. Fans could also monitor the situation through V-Live, thanks to Kang Ichae having connected theptop to the TV in advance. [Kang Ichae] [Why are you so serious] The fans found it even funnier than some terrestrial TV variety shows due to the thorough preparation. Yet, the fans werent too hopeful. [Seems a bit much for Hoyun lol] Because they understood Seo Hoyun too well. Throwing a surprise party for Seo Hoyun is impossible. Hes the type to ask something like Wheres my cake? the moment he arrives. [Too urate] [] But thats why its called Mission Impossible, isnt it, everyone? Challenging the impossible. Kang Ichae wore a confident smile. As the movies BGM reached its climax and the second hand hit zero, Mission epted! Seo Hoyuns surprise party began. . . . Wheres my cake? As soon as January 30 arrived, Seo Hoyun, who had to return to his room as if he was being chased away, opened the hotel room door assigned to Jeong Dajun, Seong Jiwon, and Kim Seonghyeon, and asked. There, Jeong Dajun could be seen wearing a hat with teddy bear ears and colored sses with a drawing of a candle, holding a cake with both hands. Seong Jiwon was putting the candles on while wearing a cone hat with glittering stars and a blue party scarf wrapped around his neck. And Kim Seonghyun, holding a match with his partially unwrapped cone hat dangling around his neck, was standing still. All were frozen in surprise. Why, why, why are you here already?! What? Cant Ie if I want to? Exactly. [Shit Seo Hoyun didnt miss a single thing in his question] [Kang Ichaes character analysis is spot on, goosebumps] While the Noeuls were freaking out in thements, Kang Ichae keenly observed the situation. First and foremost, the setting that they didnt celebrate birthdays was a stretch. Apart from the preparations and activities for Second Chance and the period of Shining Star Season 1, which Kim Seonghyeon had struggled with, The Dawn had always taken care of each others birthdays. It was good content for both building strong rtionships among the members and with the fans. So, that was the setting of this Mission Impossible. A ruined surprise birthday party. How, how did you know? No, why did youe in already?! Passing by the wide-eyed Jeong Dajun, Seo Hoyun nonchntly sat down on the single sofa. How could I not know? Of course, he knew. Even when Jeong Dajun awkwardly asked to take his phone so he couldnt see the V-Live, and when he was dragged out of the room under the pretense of preparing the party, Seo Hoyun had willingly followed. He had been sure from that moment. So, where did Kang Ichae go? Look, look! Kang Ichae was up to something. Hes already looking for the camera. [Got goosebumps on my arms] [Wow, this is really thrilling..] Indeed, Kang Ichae was a formidable opponent. As Seo Hoyuns eyes moved from top to bottom scanning the room, Jeong Dajun, Seong Jiwon, and Kim Seonghyeons natural acting unfolded. Ichae is downstairs buying drinks Its such a shame to be caught. Hey, how could you The Noeuls watching the video found something unexpected. [Wait, why is Seonghyeon acting so well?] Besides shining on stage while dancing, the Noeuls were well aware from the groups self-produced content that Kim Seonghyeon was not known for his acting skills. Kang Ichae smirked leisurely in response to the Noeuls repeated questions. Seonghyeon-hyung doesnt know anything. [?????] Thats right. Kang Ichae didnt have the heart to ask Kim Seonghyeon to act. No matter how hard Kim Seonghyeon tried, Seo Hoyun would definitely catch on. So, Kang Ichae looked for one way to involve him. By now, he must think the hidden camera prank failed, right? And that was by deceiving even Kim Seonghyeon. [Kang Ichae, are you crazy? ] [] Not only in V-Livements but also on SNS, people were flipping out in real-time. Of course, no one said it was too much. [Ah Seonghyeon, I really love you] The onesughing the most were Kim Seonghyeons fans. Couldnt you at least pretend to be fooled? Its really disappointing My bad? So annoying. Each time the innocent Kim Seonghyeon genuinely expressed his frustration, the chat was flooded withughter. Kang Ichae carefully observed the situation and then put on his earphones. It was connected to a device prepared after having a separate discussion with Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun, to adjust their actions ording to the situation. Jeong Dajun wearing an animal-eared hat and Seong Jiwon wrapping a shy scarf around his neck were both attempts to conceal the devices in their ears. Maknae, lets go inside. Just as Seo Hoyun, who had even found a fake camera, was about to politely greet everyone and end the situation, Jeong Dajun moved on to the next stage. Ah, what the Puffing his cheeks and pouting, Dajun, who often made such a face when he was upset, muttered as he put down the cake with candles halfway inserted on the table. Hyung, but couldnt you have pretended to be fooled, at least? It was time for Phase 2. The Feeling Hurt strategy. We spent hours preparing, and I didnt think hyung would be easily fooled but you couldve at least pretended. [Dajuns passionate acting] [Jiwons pretending to be subtly aware is perfect on the side] In reality, the maknae, Jeong Dajun, who was rich in emotions and sensitivity, wouldve been slightly upset even if the real birthday party had failed, so his reaction was half acting, half genuine. Wandering around in this weather to buy a cake for hyung. It must have been tough Dajun, fully immersed, blurted out his lines with a choked-up expression. Yet hyung didnt even pretend to be deceived. Dajun sneakily nced at Seo Hoyun, lowering his gaze. The atmosphere in the room also dipped. After turning off the fake camera, Hoyun turned around and looked at Dajun. And he remained silent. [Wow, Hoyun actually got fooled] [Look at his expression;;] Fans murmured in surprise, anticipating the sess of the hidden camera prank, but Kang Ichae narrowed his eyes and stroked his chin. Really? Ichae knew that Seo Hoyun was no easy target. Having observed Hoyun recently, Ichae carefully crafted each word to make him waver, and Dajun practiced them over and over. Finally, as Dajuns eyes reddened, Hoyun sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Haa Seizing the timing, Dajun threw hisst nned line. Every time you do this I kinda hate it. The carefully chosen words, the perfect timing, and Dajuns tearful performance! It was the perfect trio. Min Jiheon would have marveled at the line delivered by Dajun, who tightly closed his eyes and deeply bowed his head. Hoyun quietly observed him. Then, he said, Do you really hate it?
For the full adventure and exclusive content, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 142 Chapter 142 Wow. Kang Ichaes mouth opened slightly at the scene. He had simted numerous lines, but he hadnt expected this kind of dialogue. Naturally, the Noeuls witnessing it together went crazy in thements. [Cra zy Ba st ard] [How can you say no there???? Seo Hoyun? Speaking in that atmosphere??] Look at the persuasive power of that line. After seeing Jeong Dajun with his lips tightly sealed (there was no further script either), Seo Hoyun let out a small sigh, then averted his gaze. Got it. And then, whoosh, he turned and left. No matter how much Jeong Dajun fluttered about, he was still in the palm of Seo Hoyuns hand. Jeong Dajun, the nave maknae, only thought the reaction would be either anger or sarcasm. He hadnt expected this at all and trembled in shock. The Noeuls were no different. [Ichae, Hoyun is leaving] [What do we do now??] Its okay. Its within my expectations. Kang Ichae touched his ear and responded calmly It was Seong Jiwons turn to leave. Okay, Seong Jiwon, were switching to n D. Phase 3 had begun. The Lets Make Up strategy. The pre-installed CCTV showed Seo Hoyun walking out of the hotel room and down the corridor, followed hurriedly by Seong Jiwon. Hoyun! Seong Jiwon called out, and Seo Hoyun stopped in his tracks. With a troubled expression, Seong Jiwon carefully approached Seo Hoyuns side. Wait, Hoyun. Why? I get that youre angry, but you cant just leave Dajun like that. Seong Jiwon gently chided Seo Hoyun, his eyebrows drooping. The improvised lines for the altered n D were quite impressive since they hadnt prepared any specific lines. Lets go back. Wow Look at that ad-lib. [Is that an ad-lib] Kang Ichae marveled at the beautifully executed scene and gave a thumbs up. Lets go and talk slowly Why should I? Huh? However, Seo Hoyun crossed his arms and showed genuine annoyance. Kang Ichae had to admire him. This sides acting is amazing too. He was almost certain that Seo Hoyun would have doubts until this point, but seeing the annoyance fill his eyes, it almost seemed like he was truly angry. [Ichae ;;;] [Isnt Hoyun really angry] [Lets not be too harsh;;;] Yet, Kang Ichae wasnt shaken in the slightest. What are you talking about? Thats acting. [???] Hoyun-hyung doesnt talk like that when hes really hurt, everyone~. [.. Wow] His words implied that Seo Hoyun was just putting on a show because they were on camera. Even the Noeuls, who had a rough idea of Seo Hoyuns personality, were taken aback, covering their mouths in surprise, while Kang Ichae quickly thought ahead. We have to make Hoyun-hyung confused. Although Seong Jiwon had carried the situation quite well with his acting, he was no match for Seo Hoyun, who had finished a project with Min Jiheon. Hmm. Seong Jiwon knew this too, hence he just showed a troubled smile and maintained silence. Thats when Kang Ichae decided to y his trump card. Jiwon-hyung, its time to bring in Seonghyeon-hyung! A countermeasure for a countermeasure. The acting stat E- bomb was dropped. Seong Jiwon, trying not to show his distress, briefly lowered his gaze before lifting it again and said, Wait, then Ill go talk to Dajun. After Seong Jiwon exited, Seo Hoyun was seen leaning against the wall in the hallway, fiddling with the corners of his mouth. Soon, an utterly bewildered Jeong Dajun was consoled by an emotionally invested and nave Kim Seonghyeon who burst onto the scene. Seo Hoyun. At that call, Seo Hoyun raised an eyebrow, and Kim Seonghyeon pressed his brows together with a troubled face. You Ah, I mean, I know Dajun was a bit harsh. But the maknae is still young. Hes really hurt right now. Kim Seonghyeons natural acting slightly broke Seo Hoyuns stoic expression. Hmm. No way, this guy cant be this good at acting? was written all over his face. Seeing this, Kang Ichae couldnt hold back hisughter any longer. Puhaha!! [YoSo, Seo Hoyun was really acting] [Look at the confusion on his face slowly starting] [Oh, goosebumpsThis group is freaking awesome] I told you! The Noeuls, realizing this, filled thement section withughter. Still chuckling, Kang Ichae switched to full-on popcorn-watching mode. -Lets go in Lets go in again. Oblivious to everything, Kim Seonghyeon seemed to choose his words carefully, attempting to resolve the situation. -Honestly You wouldnt usually care about this kind of talk, but because Jeong Dajun said it, youre angry. Because you care. Ah, Seonghyeon-hyung, seriously. Unable to hold back, Kang Ichae continued tough at Kim Seonghyeons dead-serious demeanor. While the hriously engaging content progressed, Seo Hoyun looked down. Kim Seonghyeon. His voice was drained of energy. ? Caring is Lets say youre right. But how long should this go on? He needs to start realizing. The hyungs cant always look the other way. Kang Ichaes eyebrows twitched slightly at the unsettling turn of events. [Guys can we V-Live this? Wont Hoyun be super upset when he finds outter it was all a prank?] [.. ;;;;;; Not sure] Kim Seonghyeon was visibly shocked by this rare glimpse of vulnerability from Seo Hoyun. However, with the experience of looking after his younger siblings, he softly asked, Whats wrong? Seo Hoyun rubbed his eyes, looking troubled. He didnt listen to me. What? Hmm? Even Kang Ichae started getting confused at this point. Was it all a misunderstanding? Should they wrap this up now to prevent a broadcast ident? As he hesitated, he saw Seo Hoyun sigh deeply through the screen. Ah Hey. And then, looking straight into Kim Seonghyeons eyes, Seonghyeon swallowed nervously, and at that moment, I Seo Hoyun began. want to eat a whipped cream cake. What? Suddenly, everything stopped Kang Ichae, thements, and even SNS. It was as if their brains couldnt process what they had heard, their thoughtsing to a screeching halt. Kim Seonghyeon looked equally baffled, tilting his head with a giant question mark written all over his face. Huh? Jeong Dajun, anyway, doesnt listen. Regardless, Seo Hoyun just turned his head away, a bittersweet atmosphere hanging in the air. I wish the cake had strawberries on top, Hoyunie talked about it so much, you know? Straw, Strawberries? Seo Hoyun was out of his mind. Ahahaha, strawberries. Of course, such a hidden camera prank was bound not to work. Thements were on fire again. [AhAh! ] [Seo Hoyun, do you really want to die] Seo Hoyun already knew everything. Kang Ichae couldnt help butugh, hisughter spilling out as hey face down on the table. Uh-huh-huh Ah. What, what are you talking about? Strawberries and cream or at least cranberries. Ah, I lost, I lost, damn!! Having shouted damn and then quickly covering his mouth upon realizing he was on V-Live, Kang Ichae then sagged back onto the table. His pride was hurt, but upon realizing there was no turning back, he had no choice but to admit defeat to Seo Hoyun. What, what are you talking about? Huh? Should I tell you? Leaving Kim Seonghyeon, who still knew nothing and was babbling incoherently, Seo Hoyun went back to the room he shared with Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun. Then, a few minutester, just as Seo Hoyun re-emerged from that room, the hotel room door where Kang Ichae burst open. Ichae-yaaa~. It was the entrance of the birthday person. Tell Seonghyeon where Hoyunies strawberries went!! Uh-huh-huh over there, in the fridge. Ahaha~, right? [Im so pissed, Im so pissed!!!!!!!] [Seo Hoyun ahaha< reallyughing] After being caught by the hidden camera, Kang Ichae organized the situation and called all the members. It was fake? Ahaha, sorry, Seonghyeon. The leader, anxious about the team falling apart, spilled all the truth. Why did you talk like that, hyung? Do you know how shocked I was?? You said you hated me. That, thats Our maknae drawing lines as soon as he bes an adult? Jeong Dajun sulked for real, on the verge of tears. But no one thought to console him. Seo Hoyun just rolled his eyes, watching the drama unfold, scraping cake into his mouth. What a pity~. Mission failed!! Anyway, after some chit-chat, The Dawn members ended the V-Live. While the others were tidying up, Kang Ichae cautiously approached Seo Hoyun. Hyung, but how did you know? Werent you a bit confused? That made sense, considering even Kim Seonghyeon, with acting skills that couldnt be found even after a thorough search, was thrown into the mix to maximize realism. Yet Seo Hoyun had figured it out. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldnt find a w in their seemingly wless n. Seo Hoyun answered calmly. Yep, I was a bit confused. But why? Just took a wild guess. Cranberry? What if it had been real, how would you handle the aftermath? Ahh. Seeing Seo Hoyuns curving lips, Kang Ichaes eyebrows twitched. If there was one thing Kang Ichae hadnt considered Even if it were real, I knew Kim Seonghyeon would let it slide, no matter what I said. Seo Hoyun was that unchangeable bastard. . . . Good effort, really. Destroying a whole cake and seeing Jeong Dajun grumbling and Kim Seonghyeon getting pissed off for being fooled, I sipped my lemonade. This refreshing feeling, wasnt this what a non-birthday celebration was all about? I sometimes get tired of you, hyung. I feel the happiest when I hear such things. Really annoying, really really. Even this kind of talk is thrilling~. I poked the swollen cheek of our maknae and gently irritated his nerves whileughing merrily. I wont talk to you anymore. Suit yourself~. At two in the morning, the day became even more enjoyable when the birthday presents prepared by the members spectacrly failed. And there was something else I was waiting for. Huh? Thats when Seong Jiwon frowned slightly after looking at a message on his phone. Ah, um. It waste. Everyones attention turned to Seong Jiwon. After taking another sip of lemonade and just as I was about to put the ss down, my phone vibrated. [Seo Hoyun, sorry for thete message.] It was from the management team. [It would be better not to go on PopPop today.] [And dont look at the inte for now. Well speak again once things are sorted out.] Why? Well, thats. At Jeong Dajuns question, Seong Jiwon hesitated to reply. I immediately essed a portal site and searched my name. And I smiled satisfactorily at the top article that appeared. Here it was. [Title: Is Seo Hoyun smoking?] My self-given birthday present.
For additional chapters, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 145 Chapter 145 Fucked. I lowered my gaze involuntarily, only to see my hands shaking uncontrobly as they clung to the sink. He said he was out, but when the hell did hee back in? Even in such moments, my brain habitually started assessing the situation. Did Kang Ichae see the blood? Yes, he did. Do I have any excuses that could get me through? No, hes not one to be fooled. What if I honestly said it was because of a system penalty? Id just end up visiting more wards in the hospital. What about hitting him on the head to cause amnesia? Death mighte quicker. Whatever I do, Im going to look crazy My nape tingled. With the thought that I should say something to clear the air, I turned off the faucet and opened my mouth. Ichae, first. At that moment, Kang Ichae stepped out of the doorway and entered the bathroom. The sound of slippers hitting the wet floor unnecessarily made my ears perk up. Regardless of whether I stopped talking or kept staring, Kang Ichae approached the toilet, checked its contents, and then firmly pressed the lever with his finger. Swoooosh As the sound of the water flushing ended, silence hovered. It was tantly obvious he had intentionally cut off my words. There are a few things I want to check before calling an ambnce. Kang Ichaes gaze moved from the toilet to the sink, and then to me. What do I do now? Gone was theughter, and though he tried to appear calm, his eyes were zing. The members might make a fuss seeing someone sick, but I didnt think it warranted this level of anger. Did I touch a nerve? Usually, half of what he said was jokes and pranks, and I had never seen him with a downturned mouth, so honestly, I felt a bit cautious. Do you have some incurable disease? No. Then, trauma rted to hospitals? No, nothing like that. Then why? Kang Ichaes eyes narrowed as he met my gaze. Why are you holed up here? A red alert went off in my head. I quickly tried to add more words to prevent Kang Ichae from continuing his thought. Kang Ichae, wait, wait. Cough. Ahem. Just then, a cough erupted, and the blood I was holding in my mouth spewed out. The atmosphere in the bathroom grew even colder. Its not what you think. After blinking hard once, I finished organizing my thoughts. There was no suitable excuse to make in my exposed state, and dragging the time a little longer was going to end it anyway. Given the circumstances, spilling everything to buy some time and somehow downying the issue seemed like the best course of action. Im sorry for startling you. Actually, I have some stomach issues. When Im tired or my condition worsens, it happens asionally. Ive been visiting hospitals in Korea too. I have my own medication, but what if getting a new prescription backfires? Besides, going to the hospital for something trivial like this will only bring up unnecessary stories. Going to the hospital would ruin me. Even if I could somehow stop news from spreading in Korea, the real problem was having symptoms but being perfectly healthy. It could easily turn into a rumor about an idol stricken with an unknown incurable disease, like some drama protagonist. I decided to act as if I was fine, putting strength into my hands. You understand, right, Kang Ichae? However, Kang Ichae just stared at me silently. Are you done talking? ! Then, Ill call now. Fuck, was he really thinking of calling an ambnce? I grabbed Kang Ichaes hand hurriedly as he calmly reached for his phone. None of my lengthy excuses worked. Hey, wait. What? Damn. On one hand, I was relieved it was Kang Ichae. Compared to the stubborn Kim Seonghyeon, Seong Jiwon who would dismiss my words with a smile and drag me to the hospital, or the maknae, Jeong Dajun, whom I didnt even want to show this state to, Kang Ichae seemed like he would be easier to deal with. But seeing him now, it didnt seem right. Hes pissed. Kang Ichaes eyebrow was quirkily raised, exuding a fierce aura. The blood from the cough I had earlier left a mark on Kang Ichaes wrist. Knowing it was a shallow move but still, I bowed my head. To escape this situation Hey, Kang Ichae. I thought of appealing to his emotions. Isnt it disappointing? Cant you trust me? It might seem shocking since its your first time seeing this, but its moremon than you think. If it was serious, I would have run to the hospital first Cough! Cough! Would have run there first Urgh. Cough, urk Yet, Kang Ichae remained expressionless. Even as my vision blurred and my head spun, I gathered all my willpower to muster my words. Im fine. Trying to appear undaunted, I even forced down the blood swirling in my mouth, but Kang Ichae simply tilted his head and asked, Is this fun? Fuck. Turning my head, I spat the remaining blood into the sink. Damn brat Cant you just let it slide since Im your hyung? I wondered how to get out of this situationmaybe by pretending to faint againbut I immediately scrapped the idea, fearing it might actuallynd me in the hospital, a more dangerous prospect. I wished for the help of the system window, but as usual, there was no sign of it when I needed it most. Kang Ichae let out a small sigh and released my wrist. I dont get it The reason I havent dragged you to the hospital immediately after seeing you like this is out of respect for you. I thought there must be a reason a smart person like you is acting so recklessly. Seeing Seo Hoyun, who meticulously took care of his health with three meals a day and constantly had a red ginseng stick in his mouth, refusing to go to the hospital even in this state made him wonder if it was a disease that couldnt be cured by a hospital. But since that wasnt the case, there was no reason for Kang Ichae to just watch me suffer in pain in a hotel room. But the excuse youre giving now is pretty lousy, isnt it? Kang Ichae rubbed the blood off his wrist and looked up at me. Hey. I took a deep breath. Bearing the splitting headache, I reached out for a towel hanging next to Kang Ichae and grabbed it. Im not going. And I roughly wiped the blood from the corners of my mouth. Honestly, I couldnt understand why he was so pissed No. Thats not what was important right now. I get where youreing from. Honestly, its a prettyme excuse, but just leave me be for half a day, and Ill get better. Half a day? Kang Ichae murmured in a low voice. The system window, that son of a bitch, promised improvement, yet the pain kepting. I couldnt think straight anymore, and I decided to reveal just the minimum truth to somehow calm down this crazed guy. Yeah. See, myplexion has already improved, hasnt it? Of course, the mirror still reflected nothing but a pale, sickly person. At my shameless words, Kang Ichae swept his hair back and gave me a look of disbelief. In front of him, I spoke even more brazenly. If you really want me to go to the hospital, just wait for half a dayno, just three hours. You know me. I dont do foolish things. So, trust me this once, okay? Kang Ichae briefly stroked the corner of his mouth. Whatever He nced at the blood scattered around the bathroom and looked at me with a shaky gaze. Until just a moment ago, he had seemed unyielding, but now he appeared slightly softened by one of the reckless things I had just blurted out. His eyes filled with suppressed emotions, slightly closed, and a hollowugh escaped his lips. Thats when I knew. Somehow, Kang Ichae would listen to me. Thanks. Thinking Id managed to smooth things over, I quickly turned to leave the bathroom, but Kang Ichaes eyebrows twitched, and then Bam!! ! he kicked the bathroom door shut with his foot. One hour. The wind that brushed past me made my skin crawl. The guy who had forcefully shut the bathroom door tilted his head to the right. Already looking like a thug, this gesture made him seem even fiercer than anyone. Make it one hour. If it doesnt get better within that time, youll listen to me. Could I get better in one hour? Ding! [Theres a 17% chance in one hour.] Without me having to say anything, the system window seemed to have immediately picked up on my curiosity and added the information. Is this insane? No matter how I thought about it, one hour was way too short. But the atmosphere wasnt right to ask Kang Ichae for more time, so I just rubbed my neck and grumbled. Say it with words, you bastard. I pushed past Kang Ichae and reopened the bathroom door. After wiping my hands with the towel I was holding, Iy down on the bed. Damn it I pulled the nket over me and briefly went over the recent events in my mind. Kang Ichae gets really fierce when hes angry. At this moment, I was just thankful Kang Ichae hadnt strangled me. Kang Ichae followed, then dragged a chair next to mine, and flopped down with his arms crossed. A heavy silence seemed to press down on us in the room. Ring. Just as I was suppressing a mix of coughs and blood, my phone rang at the perfect moment. [CEO] As I fumbled to pick it up, Kang Ichae snatched it away and threw it to a corner of the bed. Hey. What? That was an important call Rolling my eyes toward where my phone hadnded, I saw weariness and cynicism etched on Kang Ichaes cold face, which didnt fit his 22 years. Leak? Or a shake-up? Do you really have to do this now? It was clear he was aware of everything, including the smoking incident and the leak. For a moment, speechless, I wiped sweat off my forehead while fixing my gaze on the ceiling. Ichae. Why are you so pissed? I genuinely couldnt understand that part. Because I didnt tell you guys? Because Im suffering alone? Or because I lied earlier? I just didnt want to worry you. I added a hint of feigned weakness for good measure, which was partly true. Its not like I have a terminal illness, cough, and the person in question is fine. Youre worrying over nothing right now. What? Can you say that again? I threw the towel I had used to cover my mouth while coughing onto the floor and drove thest point home. Youre overreacting a bit. Kang Ichae just stared at me silently. Overreacting? Then he said it. My mom, like my older brother, passed away acting like that. ! I couldnt help but know about the hyperventtion. It was hard to hide, after all. But not the rest. I never knew because she always smiled when she saw me. Shit. By the time I found out, it was already toote. I had misspoken. His voice continued calmly, making the words sting even more. Now do you understand why Im overreacting? I was in the wrong. I covered my face with my hands and rubbed it. Sorry. I couldnt bring myself to look at Kang Ichae. After a long silence, Kang Ichae sighed. Then, a soft touchnded on my hand. Kang Ichae had given me a fresh towel and said in a slightly softer tone, Its okay, I was just venting a bit. Im throwing a fit now because I couldnt do this with my hyung back then. Just let it slide. But cough Its not really serious, you know? While coughing? I tried to offer some excuses, but of course, it didnt work on Kang Ichae. Would you say the same if Dajun was in this situation? The person who would have made a huge fuss if Dajun acted like my hyung now acts like its nothing when its about him. Every word was sharply insightful. I had no strength to argue, so I just kept my mouth shut. Still, Ill try to understand. I respect whatever you do behind my back, as long as you live healthily and happily. People should live like that. Right? If you have money, its possible. Kang Ichae lowered his eyes and smiled slightly at my words, which were 100% sincere. Yeah, if thats your happiness. I really like our current life, including Dajun and the others. I want to keep it going. So lets stay healthy and together for a long, long time. Dont get sick where I cant see. Kang Ichae leaned back in the chair, appearing much more rxed than before. Ichae. I couldnt miss this timing. As I was suppressing a chill and cautiously about to suggest stretching it to three hours Ah. Kang Ichae said in a soft voice, 46 minutes left. Guess I should get ready to call a taxi. This fucking asshole I sincerely regretted not having hit Kang Ichae on the head from the start to make him lose his memory.
For additional chapters, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 146 Chapter 146 To cut to the chase, I didnt go to the hospital. Kang Ichae wasnt someone to be taken lightly, but I wasnt the type to just sit around and do nothing either. By rambling on, hiding in the bathroom, and clinging to the bed, enduring until Kang Ichaes eyes were about to roll back again, my bodypletely returned to its original state a little over 2 hourster. I was almost dragged to the door, but I managed to convince him I was alright, barely stopping him. Kang Ichae, with his eyes narrowed, checked my temperature and scanned my body thoroughly. 36.2 degrees. After repeatedly ensuring it wasnt a deadly illness, wasnt a lie, and that I wasnt sick at all, Kang Ichae crossed his arms. Strange, isnt it? He still seemed suspicious, but his expression somewhat improved. Though he kept saying we should go to the hospital, there was no reason to risk turning this into a news story. Im not going. As my condition returned to normal and my mind started working sharply again, I was incredibly pissed. It was only after promising to visit a hospital known to thepany upon returning to Korea that I was finally let go. Of course, when we did return, Kang Ichae naturally tried to follow me to the hospital again, but as the manager pointed out, the more people involved, the higher the chance of drawing attention. And we even took a taxi instead of the van. However, somehow, the road manager managed to follow me into all the examination rooms and even where the doctor was seeing me, recording everything andter handed it all to Kang Ichae. Although it was incredibly persistent, Kang Ichae finally calmed down after he heard the diagnosis and the doctors opinion that there was nothing wrong. For some reason, he seemed to have decided to let this bizarre situation slide, just as he had with the hyperventtion incident. He really just cares if the people around him are healthy. It seemed that me being alive was of utmost importance to him, more than understanding or logic. Im d youre not sick. Still, lets get regr check-ups. All the members together. Looking at Kang Ichaes faint smile, I felt sick. This guys not right in the head either. And at the same time, I felt a bit remorseful. I thought I was the only crazy one in The Dawn, but there was another. Having experienced Kang Ichaes tyranny firsthand, I felt a bit sorry for the other members, but that feeling didntst long. Seeing Kang Ichaes attitude soften so quickly when he knew I was alright made me reevaluate him. Are you going to tell the members? Maybe? His answer was nomittal, but Kang Ichae didnt tell the members. Well For some reason, that was fine by me. Hyung, hyung! Want to eat this? Im good. Jeong Dajun, oblivious to everything, offered me a snack while munching on a Tokyo Banana with his cheeks full, and I turned my gaze out the window. Better avoid Kang Ichaes mines for a peaceful andfortable idol life *** The Dawns activities in Japan had all ended. [Hoyun looks good today, thankfully ] [They caught the leak culprit It really was someone from inside] Whether the setup and items worked marvelously or not, the leaker, dragged to the police station for witness questioning, immediately went to the CEO, crying and begging for forgiveness. The CEO, who wanted to quietly bury the incident, preferred to handle it internally and wrap it up quickly, but Seo Hoyun wasnt someone to just stand by and watch. Following the leak incident and the condition turmoil that led to the stage appearance, Daepaseong Entertainment was bombarded with protests and demands for official statements via email, phone, and fax. The coordinated attack hashtags were still ongoing, even now. [#Daepaseong_Entertainment_Apologize] [#Daepaseong_Entertainment_Boycott] Under the intense external pressure, thepany atmosphere was already turbulent. Mockingly, someone mentioned how interesting it would be if it was revealed that due to the unreasonable schedule, a vulnerable member vomited blood. Of course, Seo Hoyun had no real intention of disclosing such information. Then, the CEO, his voice trembling, asked, What do you want? The answer to the threat was obvious. Add a few more people to fill the gap left by the leaker and bring in some more professional staff for The Dawn. Did you stir up all this mess just for that? The CEO wanted to ask but could only nod in resignation. In the end, everything was tidily arranged, and afortable working environment could be provided for Lee Jihyeon. I wanted to promote Jihyeon to team leader. But that would have been overstepping boundaries. As the saying went, even a cornered mouse would bite. We had to maintain some boundaries. For now, being satisfied with creating a more specialized nning line for The Dawn was enough. If twisting an arm got this result, it was a bargain. The rumors about smoking subsided, and as for vomiting blood, one could think of it as just a few bad days in the grand scheme of life. Thus, by weighing the situation and conditions to maximize efficiency, a morefortable nning team environment was established. There was just one unexpected variable. Ah~, Im a bit thirsty~. It was Kang Ichae. Ichae wants to drink banana milk~. Ill buy it for you. Kidding, I want a double-yolked ssanghwa tea. Where do I even get that? I was hoping my dear hyung would make it from scratch for me~. Kang Ichae said this while stretching out on the recording studios sofa, chewing gum vigorously. I had been appeasing him for days and gritted my teeth in frustration. If only I hadnt been caught by that guy. Then, this affair of trading my skin to save anothers neck could have ended quite beautifully. You Youre using me because you havent told the others, right? Such a Seo Hoyun-like way of thinking. I would have been better off hitting your head to make you lose your memory. Kyaa~. Despite having resolved the issues with rumors, the leaker, and the nning team, Kang Ichae knew I was alright and smiled brightly, but he kept teasing me relentlessly. Feeling somewhat guilty and having misspoken, I was pressing down my foul temper, trying to endure it, but I was almost at my limit. Seeing how rude you are, you seem healthy, which is nice. Crazy bastard. After that, Kang Ichae acted as if he was fine, but his eyes sparkled wildly. Madness overflowed in his tone. Clearly, I had crossed a threshold at that time, as he veiled his malice with all sorts ofints. Banana milk and ssanghwa tea were mere childs y. Teasing members was a given, and whenever it seemed like things were about to cross the line and I would get angry, he would take a step back and feign weakness. Youre too nice to Ichae, hyung. That sly fox! Watching Kang Ichae driving me to anger made my blood boil. Just! Ill endure it for two more days. If he was still like that after two days, I decided to spill everything and find a way to make Kang Ichae die and me live. Anyway, thanks to Kang Ichae, I was on edge, ready to kill anyone who crossed my path. Not only thepany people but even the manager tiptoed away from me, but we couldnt just not work. Then, Lee Jihyeon, who unlike me was very happy with the improved work environment, handed me a proposal. It was a proposal for the final part of the Apocalypse trilogy followingst years end-of-year stage. [The Dawn The Rising Dawn and the Doomed World] Receiving the document and flipping through it, I couldnt help but rejoice. I couldnt miss this opportunity that seemed like a gift from heaven. . . . Before we began shooting for Shining Star Season 2, The Dawns first self-produced content was uploaded on YouTube. [OMG, its been a while since we got a teaser from them lol] It was mid-February. The weather was still cold, so the shoot was indoors. [Seems like the kids are over-immersed in the apocalypse concept;;] [OMG Im so excited ] [How do you even over-immerse in apocalypse? Do you just scream that the world is ending? Jeong Dajun would do so well Ah, knew it from the maknaes sensitivity at the birthday party] [But Seo Hoyun ] The Noeuls realized this during the surprise birthday party. Being shameless was an understatement for Seo Hoyun; it was clear hed pop up smirking cheekily as always. [This guy will probably be counting his fingers in his pocket like during the student council election] [Senior soldier Seo Hoyun Ah ] The day the self-produced content was released, the Noeuls mouths fell open. [OMG] From the start, Seo Hoyun appeared wearing ck techwear that seemed modified from the an American SWAT teams uniform. With the sound of military boots and the screen slowly panning up, Seo Hoyuns expressionless face was revealed under a cap and ck body armor. [OMG, thank the heavens] [Bowing in a ce with great energy] During Second Chance, Seo Hoyun was part of the government forces, so the fans had seen him in various uniforms, but this was the first time he wore full techwear. And they screamed in excitement. Then, Seo Hoyun went up to the podium. Behind him, The Dawns logo fluttered on a banner. [And hes not a senior soldier anymore!!!!] [OMG, whats with Seo Hoyuns posture, the crazy guy??] Seemingly unaware of what was happening, Seo Hoyun coldly nced over the four members huddled and whispering in front of the tform, and nonchntly recited the proposal fluttering in his hand. Good day to you all. Having been extremely sensitive due to Kang Ichae, he was very pleased with the apocalypse military-themed self-produced content that legally allowed him to hound the members Over the past few days, Seo Hoyun, his face noticeably flushed from holding back his anger, had endured Kang Ichaes smirking face by bowing deeply. Kang Ichae, you bastard. Starting today, Ill be in charge of training. Youre dead today. The shooting day came after the two days he had decided to endure. Wow~!! So handsome~! Kyaa~! Jeong Dajun, who had been particrly influenced by Kang Ichae recently, teased Seo Hoyun, causing his eyebrows to twitch slightly. ! Kim Seonghyeon and Seong Jiwon exchanged nces. Leaving Jeong Dajun aside, who had yet to grasp the situation, the hyung line realized at that moment that things were taking a serious turn. Todays self-control challenge will be in ordance with the apocalyptic worldview. Penalties will be imposed if your actions do not meet these standards. [But seriously what are we gonna do with this concept] [Lets destroy everything, Dajun] [But Seo Hoyun, I thought hed justzily shove his hands in his pockets His icy, precise demeanor is just perfect Is this what an idol who had done their military service is like?? p p] [The natural use of formal speech is insane. Reminds me a bit of PD Lee Jeonghun] Seo Hoyun was an idol who moved strictly ording to business performances, but today was not an act. [His icy acting is killer] It was genuine. He was genuinely in a bad mood. Whats the penalty? When Seong Jiwon raised his hand to ask, the corners of Seo Hoyuns mouth slightly lifted. Jeong Dajun thought he was in a dessert-making challenge until an hour ago and was busy whipping meringue. Really? Ah! So thats what was going on?? Jeong Dajun, still smelling sweetly, shoved his palm under Kim Seonghyeons nose. At the same time, someone from afar approached with a mobile tray, carrying a te covered by a stainless-steel lid. Seo Hoyun removed the lid, revealing the dishes inside. They were all made by Jeong Dajun. Tuna macarons, gochujang sandwiches, and so on. Ew! Dajun, why on earth did you do that? Seong Jiwons soft tone yet pointed question made Jeong Dajun shout in frustration. No, I tried to make it unique and creative! And those were the only ingredients avable, okay?? No matter what, you cant expect me to make gochujang macarons, right?! You couldve just made a tuna sandwich. !! With a realization dawning on him, Dajun smacked his forehead with a thud! [Ya, you idiot] [I love Dajun, but I cant eat tuna macarons It would be madness if I did.] As they considered matching Jeong Dajuns food with a penalty, Kim Seonghyeon raised his hand with a worried look. So, whats the penalty? This one. Excuse me? Eating the dessert made by Jeong Dajun. Everyones faces turned pale. Or you can run on the treadmill for ten minutes and do a sexy dance. Ill do the sexy dance. Their expressions instantly brightened. Despite Dajuns sulky re, he couldnt change the firm minds of his hyungs. For reasons unknown, Dajun, having recently be an adult, was passionately diving into cooking. He was especially serious about fusion cuisine. Jeong Dajun, would you eat jjajangmyeon if I added strawberry jam to it? Ugh. Ah, its unfair!! I usually do a good job! And jjajangmyeon with strawberry jam could taste good! These narrow-minded people, how could you think its bad without even trying? [Dajun, you have to try it to know if its shit or soybean paste, right? Guess he wants to dip to see if its jjajang or strawberry Ah tlqkf ] No one was listening to Jeong Dajun. Beside him, Kang Ichae tilted his head, puzzled. Being passionate is good, but who is going to be the judge? I will. Isnt that too much? Its just whatever Hoyun-hyung wants. Seo Hoyun tapped the podium with his finger, then shed a sly smile at the members. If you haveints, you should have taken your concept seriously from the start. Eh~. But. Looking at Kang Ichae, Seo Hoyun asked, Kang Ichae, are you going to keep talking informally?
For additional chapters, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 147 Chapter 147 Informal speech? While standing at an angle and fiddling around, Kang Ichae came to a stop. Rolling his eyes, he pondered for a moment before grinning mischievously. It was true that Seo Hoyun was his superior, so it made sense to use formalnguage. Should we just use Tanaka then?[1] But from what I know, Im quite the high-ranking person here~. Is it really okay for Seo Hoyun to treat me like this?[2] Kang Ichae teased Seo Hoyun, reminding him of his status as an heir. Seo Hoyun had been quite nice to him since theirst encounter, so any anger he had had almost dissipated, but the joy of teasing him was hard to let go. Seo Hoyun looked at him for a long moment, then, Kang Ichae. He shed a grin. Im imposing a penalty. ??? [?????] [Why????] Not just the members on the screen but also the viewers were taken aback. There was nothing about Kang Ichaes behavior that seemed off. Being a mischievous heir, wasnt that just like Kang Ichae? Why? However, his opponent was Seo Hoyun. I sense defiance in your tone. Dont be unpleasant to your superior. Having been subjected to all of Kang Ichaes misdeeds over the past few days, there was no way Seo Hoyun would just let it slide. Caught off guard by such unreasonable usations, even Kang Ichae was left speechless for a moment before Seo Hoyun snapped his fingers sharply! Immediately, people in ck swarmed in and grabbed Kang Ichae by his arms. ???? [???] Hey! Seo Hoyun! Wait, just a second!![3] The scream of a loser hits a G# in the second octave. Hey!!! [Kang Ichae casual speech] [In the midst of this, the crazy bastard figures out the vocal range] [Aaaah Aaaaah Ichae being dragged away to eat Dajuns weird food] Kang Ichae was dragged away and forced to eat Jeong Dajuns tuna macaron, hisplexion turning pale, causing everyone to tremble in fear. Kim Seonghyeon. Targeting Kim Seonghyeon, who tried his best not to make eye contact, Seo Hoyun curved his lips into a smile. Knowing too well that not responding would mean being dragged away, Kim Seonghyeon struggled to open his mouth. Yes. Im imposing a penalty. Yes??? [???????] [No way] This time, truly, Kim Seonghyeon hadnt done anything. [Why this time????] [What the heck?? Ah shit, I ended up using Tanaka too] Seo Hoyun, while fiddling with the brim of his hat, said, I dont like that you added a b sound at the end of your answer. Acting like a rebel, are you?[4] !! Go and do a sexy dance with aegyo,mence. Seo Hoyun! Its just because I was tough on you during practice! Commence!! Thus, victims continued to emerge one after the other. [Seriously, this guy is just forcing it and trying to fit everything into the concept by unnecessarily adding words like defying the rebel leader] [This is ridiculous Seo Hoyun marry me Rebel Kim Seonghyeon lets date for life Government Forces] The people who had taken Kang Ichae away reappeared and dragged Kim Seonghyeon off. Jeong Dajun Standing next to a disheartened Kang Ichae, who had lost all will to live after eating the tuna macaron, Kim Seonghyeon tried his best to read the script in front of him and danced to Kill the Lights with added aegyo. I love you, love you Gasp Huc. [Kim Seonghyeon damn, of all things, it had to be the oppa song] [Doing it because he was told, real love for this idol] [Ah Kang Ichae seriously looks like hes lost all hope in the world] Now, only Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun remained. Seo Hoyun turned his gaze toward the two who were trembling. Alright. Seo Hoyun firmly readjusted his hat. From now on, we begin the much-anticipated Apocalypse Self-Produced Content. No one dared to challenge him. This was Apocalypse Self-Produced Content in name, but Seo Hoyuns Tyranny in reality. The tyrants arrival. Since Seo Hoyun had been somewhat kinder recently, conscious of his affection for The Dawn and especially to Kang Ichae for the harsh words he had previously spoken, this resurgence of tyranny hit harder. Despite the favored pairing of Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun, Seo Hoyuns gaze toward them was cold. This is strange Am I talking to myself here? It was a cue for them to respond quickly. Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun sprang to their feet. Yes, yes! Yes! I havent had noise-canceling surgery on my ears, you know. [Ah noise canceling lol] [Seriously, Seo Hoyunsebacks are embarrassingly good] Yes!!! A b at the end? Ah!! Yes! Not yes, but yes!! Only then did Seo Hoyun smile contentedly. The viewersment section lit up again. [Guys] The consensus was clear. [Did Seo Hoyun live just for today?] Indeed, they had been waiting just for today. . . . Are you not getting up? Are you even alive? Whats that white? Did I just see your teeth right now? Today, the teasing was exceptionally professional and vicious. However, no one could say Seo Hoyun was being too much, watching the other members roll around from the words spat out by the fans. [Wow, todays crazy] This was because they all danced a ry of sexy dances to avoid Jeong Dajuns bizarre food. [Seo Hoyun, sir Thank you, you are our king..] They eagerly gobbled up the legendary memes that poured out, busily taking screenshots. [Ah forehead, bang bang bang Im just waiting for Seonghyeon to take his yearly leave] [Seonghyeon is the only idol in The Dawn whose ears turn red when he acts cute Thats because Seo Hoyun had be shameless, right?] [Jiwon, ah, I love you Jiwon, ah!!!!! I love you for even dancing the sexy dance well, ah!!!! Seong Jiwon is really amazing. The way he splits those smooth dance lines and details and then changes his expression during the killing part, whats with that hip rotation Lets stop, might get dragged away if we talk more] [Jeong Dajun keeps his pride and mumbles about eating his bizarre food then secretly spits it out behind If you cant eat it, dont make it] After a while, as the members energetically performed like bears showing off tricks, Seo Hoyun, who had stood with his arms crossed the entire time, nced over the exhausted members. Then he called for Jeong Dajun. Jeong Dajun. Yes!! I mean, yes! Y-yes!! Jeong Dajun hastily corrected himself after unintentionally adding a b, but the other members, having fully experienced the consequences themselves, looked at him with pitying eyes. However, Seo Hoyun simply tilted his head slightly and then flicked his hand. Come here. ? Exhausted from the relentless dancing, and sweating profusely, Jeong Dajun dragged his feet forward like a cow being led to the ughterhouse. Then, Seo Hoyun rummaged through something on the shelf under the podium and handed over a portable fan. ??? Confused and flustered, Jeong Dajun didnt know how to react, while Seo Hoyun made him sit on a makeshift chair and turned on the fan to hand it to him. Seeing this, Kim Seonghyeon gasped for air and asked, Instructor. What about Jeong Dajun? Didnt I say hes an over-immersion self-controller? Seo Hoyun replied, straightening his slightly twisted bulletproof vest with a few taps. Jeong Dajun is a destructor, so he doesnt have to listen to me. !!! As everyones jaws dropped in shock, needless to say, social media also exploded. [Hey hey!!!] [ah shit] [Just because Jeong Dajun is too young, lets forgive him] Hearing that, Jeong Dajun, who was thankfully enjoying the fans breeze, mumbled nkly. I was able to escape because Im a destructor? Then, all the hardships I went through? Its regrettable you didnt notice sooner. Jeong Dajuns face swelled up like a red balloon at the irritating words, but Seo Hoyun wasnt the type to care. At that moment, Kang Ichae, who had been forced to eat bizarre foods and dance ry dances more than ten times, suddenly stood up, his face a mix of red and pale. Thud!! Kang! I! Chae! I have a question! Go ahead. Im only two years older than the maknae!! Watching Kang Ichae, as angry as could be, Seo Hoyun lifted one corner of his mouth. In fact, bringing Jeong Dajun forward was half because he genuinely thought it would be a nice break and half to twist Kang Ichaes guts. Having sessfully scratched the insides of that sly guy, Seo Hoyun sighed deeply as if to show off. What a pity. ? Kang Ichae, why werent you born just two yearster? Then you could have received my attention. [Ah] [Wow, Seo Hoyun really knows how to piss people off] [Kang Ichae is seriously pissed off] I dont pick up on unnecessary banter. Kang Ichae, begin your cute and sexy dance. Commence!! Having sent Kang Ichae to his doom, Seo Hoyun turned his head toward Seong Jiwon. Even for a practice bug, rolling around this much seemed tiring, as sweat trickled down Seong Jiwons pale cheeks. Seo Hoyun looked at him and spoke softly. Seong Jiwon. Yes. You should think carefully about over-immersion, too. Excuse me?? Wait, are you trying to discriminate? Dont use informal speech. Kim Seonghyeon, perform the charming sexy dance! Kim Seonghyeon tried to stop the discrimination from happening again with his trembling body, but it was in vain. Seo Hoyun turned his gaze from Kim Seonghyeon, who had clenched his teeth and started the wave next to a furious Kang Ichae, and smiled faintly. Seong Jiwon, you can regress, cant you? You have the power to turn back time and escape this situation. Seong Jiwon blinked rapidly in confusion, and upon seeing this, Seo Hoyun signaled Lee Jihyeon. Soon, a staff member from the nning team showed a message written on a sketchbook. !! Seong Jiwon, who normally wouldnt budge at much, found himself at a loss for words. Is it real? Yes. Who knows? I might treat you the way I do Jeong Dajun. Wow, this guy really discriminates. After barely finishing the dance and suppressing the rising curses, Kang Ichae grimaced. Seong Jiwon, knowing Seo Hoyuns personality well, found the sweet wordsing from him to be like the whispers of a devil, causing him to ponder more. Is he serious? However, knowing he hadnt been too harsh on him made it feel too wasteful to just let it pass. Seeing Jeong Dajun cool off with his mouth against the fan and going Ahh~~ made him feel even more so. After a moment, Seong Jiwon clenched his eyes shut with determination. T-time. Seong Jiwon also wanted to stop doing the charming sexy dance. the one who reverses time!!! Reverses, verses verses verses verses It felt as if an echo was spreading throughout the room. But nothing happened. Whirrrrrr. In the appalling silence, only the sound of the fan that Jeong Dajun held could be heard. After a long while with no response, the bewildered Seong Jiwon opened his tightly shut eyes, and amidst everyones surprised expressions, only Seo Hoyuns calm face greeted him. Yes, I saw that. And he twisted his lips askew. Did you really believe me, Seong Jiwon? For being so gullible, begin your sexy dance. In a tiny corner of Seo Hoyuns heart, the residue ofst Christmass bitterness lingered still. [1] Tanaka is a style of speaking often associated with the South Korean military. Its characterized by sentences ending in ~ or ~. Its a kind of formal speech, typically used by lower-ranking individuals when speaking to their superiors. The name derives from these sentence endings. [2] Now Ichae is speaking formally. [3] Now hes back to informal speech. [4] is themon and polite way of saying yes in Korean but Seonghyeon used , which is more casual.
For additional chapters, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 148 Chapter 148 While The Dawn was diligently filming and posting their self-produced content, PD Kim Heeyeon, whose stock had risen sharply as a shining star, was experiencing even busier daystely. PD! When will the cast list be ready? Kim Heeyeon, has the location been secured? Kim Heeyeon! Kim Heeyeon!! Kim Heeyeon!!! At first, she thought she would have some leisure time after the program ended, but soon work poured in from everywhere like crazy. Got it! Fuck, stop calling me! Having entered that mode, Kim Heeyeon, who had run around until her feet felt like they were on fire, could finally catch her breath in an empty meeting room. After downing an Americano with three extra shots in one gulp and heaving a deep sigh, she leaned back in her chair. Im so busy, its killing me, really Her vacation had been returned long ago. Kim Heeyeon looked at the proposal in front of her. Shining Star Season 2. It was a program to use the winner of Season 1 as a contestant for Season 2. Despite wrapping up with high viewership somehow, the Today incident blew up so big that Season 2 seemed to be fading into obscurity. However, once all the cast members from Season 1 became sessful and public opinion settled, the production of Season 2 was confirmed. Im such a trash. The thought of pushing these much younger kids into the fiery pit of fiercepetition left her with a bitter taste. This was work, and the idols did gain something for their efforts, she consoled herself, but that only made her feel more despicable. This time, without any mishaps. Everything was perfect at the nning stage. Given the big issue before, even major agencies simr to D.go had been keeping it low, wary of public opinion. Kim Heeyeons eyes halted on a name as she scanned through the casting list. It was The Dawn. It was clear they were currently one of the hottest groups. From earlyst year, starting from a single album to Shining Star, self-produced content, to variety shows. Their schedule was so tight it made one wonder if it was humanly possible, but they made it in the end. Then, with a knock, the meeting room door opened, and an AD came in. Are you here? Have you seen this?? Wow, The Dawns self-content has an insane number of views! Really? Yes, take a look at the responses. Taking theptop the assistant director handed her, Kim Heeyeon quickly scanned through several posts. They were mostly about The Dawns self-produced content. [Title: The Dawns self-con is fucking hrious They say theyre going all-in with military-themed self-con for their Apocalypse project but I honestly thought itd be cringy af but (Seonghyeon/ Ichae sexy dance clip) (The Time Controller Jiwon self-destructing clip) (Disheartened Dajun clip) No but seriously why is it so funny?? I have a soft spot for this B-grade flimsy sentiment,ughed the whole way through Especially when going bungee jumping, it was too funny Hoyun: Call out the name of the person you love before jumping. Dajun: Noeul!!! Hoyun: Louder!! Dajun: I love Noeul~!!!! Jiwon: (smiling contently) (smiling contently) Jiwon, did you raise Dajun? Lets rewind time Anyway, next up is Kang Ichae, who got utterly wrecked by Seo Hoyun today Looking all raggedy with madness overflowing from his eyes Regardless, Seo Hoyun was nonchnt Hoyun: Be careful on your way down. Ichae: (fuck) Why are you so listless? Arent you going to ask me? Hoyun: Id rather not hear it. Ichae: (pissed off) Can I call out the instructors name~? ^^!!! Hoyun: (equally pissed off) I suggest you call out Noeul before you cause a broadcast ident. Kang Ichae grinding his teeth then suddenly calls out the leaders name and jumps Ichae: I love Seonghyeon~~!!!! Seonghyeon eating ice cream: .????? Dawnies: ????? Staff: ?????? Seonghyeon got exempted from the bungee jump penalty and was eating ice cream but unexpectedly got screwed over Seonghyeon: Is this my penalty? Hearing Kang Ichae say he loves me? He mustve really hated itKang Ichae calling out his name and saying he loves him, he asked several times if that was actually his penalty Ah These kids, you never know where theyll bounce off to, I swear Hah fuck thinking about it again, its hrious Guys, watch the Dawnies self-con Even a soul-stealer like me is holding onto The Dawn. After they got massively cursed outst time, theyve been pulling off some really good content, seriously surprising for a mid-tierpany Heard they hired a lot of nning team members after getting cursed at, also heard theres a huge talent there Oh interesting Is the feedback quick? Doesnt seem like it. Im honestly just so-so about idol self-con but The Dawnies is pretty good Its quite famous among other fandoms too, The Dawnies self-con Exploding like that Seriously, Seo Hoyuns deal is insane Right, usually its Kim Seonghyeon who takes the brunt ] They really are crazy. Having read through it all, Kim Heeyeon scratched her cheek. The AD also handed her viral videos like The Dawns Japanese debut showcase shoes video and Seo Hoyuns legendary Japanese fancam. Thats what Im saying. Theyve really, really gained a lot of popritytely. Theres even talk among the domestic fans about them being the rookie pick. It is not the same The Dawn we first invited? Hmm. While The Dawn is a definite, its hard to tell with other idol groups who seem to have some recognition. Their thresholds are high. But considering bnce, we need to pick other groups well too. Shining Star Season 1 was mostly focused on 1 to 2-year rookiesat most 4-year idolsbut this time it was different. The average was going to be around 3 to 4 years. They nned to gather only idol groups that had solid fandoms both domestically and overseas. When the request was made to every major agency to lend a group, they all showed reluctance but didnt refuse. This was because after the cast of Shining Star Season 1 appeared on the show, there was a significant boost in their initial sales Theyre just flexing their pride, thats all. Excuse me? Dont you remember the shows highest ratings fromst season? It was the best among cablepetition programs. Havent you seen the Shining Star Season 1 poster still hanging right in front of the broadcasting station? Well, thats true but. Its not like their poprity is at rock bottom, so they might not be desperate, but theres a difference between 3rd-tier and 2nd-tier, and between 2nd-tier and 1st-tier. If theyre not willing to seize such a good opportunity for advancement, its better for us not to take them. If they were half-hearted andckadaisical, it would not only be bad for them but also the worst for the program. Even groups that had solidified their position as idols couldnt guarantee their title would be hot every time Even with massive capital investment, they might not win the publics choice. Ultimately, survival programs were the most definitive way to elevate ones standing while simultaneously securing the publics pick. The anxiety of, If I dont choose them, theyll fall. This anxiety tranted into Protect my baby at all costs, and voting gets halfway engulfed in madness. So, this was a program perfectly suited for South Korea, a society ustomed to the taste of spicy foods. The existing fandoms would probably hate it, though. Sorry. Kim Heeyeon was a PD-chasing-ratings, after all. Hey, if it were up to me, Id want to request ck Call. Are you crazy?? Of course, Im joking Would I really do it? After being quiet for a while, except for asional variety show appearances, ck Call had released their title song Kingstest year, cing them at the top among the 1st-rate groups and widening the gap with other top-tier groups. They were now too big for broadcasters to casually ask for them, and even if asked, their agency wouldnt let ck Call participate in such a survival program. After the failed joke, Kim Heeyeon awkwardly scratched the bridge of her nose and said, So, Im asking for other groups. Uhm. Why? Kim Heeyeon asked at the ADs subtle expression. No, its just Im a bit worried about The Dawn. What? Caught off guard by the unexpected content, the AD shrugged. While its true that their poprity has risen a lot, they could bepletely overshadowed by the groups weve listed Were used to being criticized, but The Dawn was the top contributor to Shining Star Season 1s sess. Thats for The Dawn to figure out. The AD internally clicked his tongue at Kim Heeyeons indifferent response. Even so, she must have grown quite attached. Doesnt she feel any guilt? The AD saw Kim Heeyeon as a cold person, but Kim Heeyeon was actually making a very calm and objective assessment. Well, The Dawn just came back from their activities in Japan, so we should be able to adjust their schedule soon. Ill contact Daepaseong Entertainment again. While listening to a staff members report, Kim Heeyeon fell into thought. She knew The Dawn well. Or rather, she knew Seo Hoyun well. Such a damn tough guy. Among idols? No, out of all the people she had seen, he stood out. His ability to resolve issues with unconventional methods even under the worst conditions and his mental strength were distinctly different from others. Kim Heeyeon leaned back in her chair, thinking about Seo Hoyun. What exactly is he? His face was incredibly pretty, but his skills were somewhatcking. However, he was courageous and didnt care about what others thought. When he pushed Today to the brink of hell, Seo Hoyun had answered her question with a light smile. Cant other people have such thoughts?? Its not that they dont have thoughts, but they cant do it because they have a conscience. So what about you? I dont have a conscience.[1] Wow, even thinking about it now gives me the chills. Excuse me? How the hell can a person be like that? Kim Heeyeon twirled her pen around. He was indeed a charismatic figure. The boldness in his actions and the asional glimpse of tenderness. Why is he even an idol? Honestly, no matter how much she thought about it, Seo Hoyun didnt seem like someone who was desperate to be an idol like the others. Desiring unconditional love from fans or the thrill that came from being on stage wasnt it either. He was just moving sluggishly, driven by the duties and missions assigned to him No, despite that, he seems desperate. Excuse me?? Never mind. Kim Heeyeon tilted her head in confusion. Judging people was never an easy task. Seo Hoyun is, no The Dawn is This time, it seemed Seo Hoyun would find it a bit tough to maneuver behind the scenes. Kim Heeyeon reviewed the list again, drawing lines firmly across it. Yet, one thing was certain: anyone who crossed paths with Seo Hoyun would inevitably find themselves deeply entangled with him, for better or worse. I dont need to be considerate, theyll manage fine on their own. Because he was a weirdo. . . . [Win the first ce in Shining Star Season 2! The survival program is back after a long time! Secure first ce in Shining Star Season 2. Sess: Vocal stats significantly increase Failure: Seo Hoyuns confidential information leaked] Fuck. I cursed under my breath the moment I saw it. The quest had always been tough, but this penalty was the worst for someone with so much to hide. I remained steadfast in denial, fleeing after the quest was thrown at me. Ha. Especially since I was just bracing myself to meet PD Kim of Shining Star Season 2 before this. Wow! Its the start of our Season 2!! I hade to the broadcasting station for a preliminary meeting for Shining Star Season 2. Reluctantly dragging myself there, I found myself circling around the entrance when I spotted Joo Woosung talking to a woman near the sparsely popted smoking area, likely due to the early hour. Oops. Noticing me, he waved his hand gently. As the other members bowed slightly, the woman beside him smiled and returned the greeting. She was a fairly famous actress who had made a name for herself in a youth drama three years ago. Take care. Yep, goodbye, Woosung. As we approached, she smiled lightly and hurried off. I definitely knew her, but What was it? I felt like I was missing something. Rubbing the back of my neck, I was lost in thought when Kim Seonghyeons excited voice reached me. Sunbae! I saw the clip from yourst concert! Oh, that video is out already? Yes!! Joo Woosung, responding by lightly patting Seonghyeons shoulder, turned his head toward me. Hey, are you still mad? Hm? This idiot forgot. It suddenly dawned on me. Right, I had received a call from Joo Woosung when I was very sick in Japan. Joo Woosung snorted as if he found it absurd. It was the first time a junior cursed me out. You bastard. Its a valuable experience in life, isnt it? He looked at me with a sour expression as I chuckled. After sending the members off, I looked back at Joo Woosung. So, you said youd be mentoring Shining Star? I wished he would just enlist in the military already. Ugh. Im gonna get cursed out so much. Muttering to himself, Joo Woosung slightly scratched his cheek. Well, does it even matter now? ? Mentoring was no big deal, right? Of course, there might be some talk since Joo Woosung and the participating groups didnt have a big age gap, but there was no denying his abilities. More than that, my slight difort and curiosity were what mattered more to me, so I nced around and asked, Did you work with that person just now? Huh? Ah, yeah. I couldnt think of any connection between Joo Woosung and the actress. With no one else around, Joo Woosung nced around and then nonchntly said, Yeah, shes my ex-girlfriend. He mentioned it so calmly. [1] See Episode 50.
For additional chapters, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 149 Chapter 149 Unaware of my disdainful gaze, Joo Woosung continued in a nonchnt tone. Was it about two years ago that we dated? Long time no see. Did you date for a short period? What? No, itsted quite a while. About six months? Have you lost your mind? Seeing Joo Woosung adopt an American mindset before even starting activities in the US made me feel like mymon sense was about to run away from home. Facing an impending rendezvous with an ex-girlfriend only made Woosung seem even more alien. How can you be so shameless in front of your ex-girlfriend? Huh? However, Joo Woosung tilted his head, appearing not to understand what I was saying. So, what? Were already over, arent we? Its not like were going to get back together. This guysmon sense was not just on Mars but beyond the Sr System. Thank heavens I sent the kids away first. I had saved them from hearing such nonsense. Being sane myself, I felt my energy levels plummet every time I met Woosung. As I naturally reached into my pocket for a candy, Woosung snatched it away and peeled it open. Hoyun, but should I give you a piece of advice? I didnt need it, kid. People who dwell on past rtionships do so because they didnt treat them well when they were together. Yeah, right. What do I mean? If you screw up anything, the regretter is huge. Thats why I always treat my rtionships really well?? So spoke the legendary trash car. He managed his affairs so well that he even got a basin of water dumped on him by Han Chaeri. Ignoring Joo Woosungs seemingly useless advice, I tried to walk away, but he blocked my path. But youre exactly that type, you know. What did you say? Joo Woosung threw the candy into his mouth and grinned mischievously. Hey, could it be No, impossible. In this world, I had nothing to do with Kim Heeyeon. Woosung grumbled beside me. Youve dated before, right? You wouldnt have that attitude otherwise. And it all went spectacrly bad, huh? This son of a Your face is asking how did you know? Its obvious. Seo Hoyun, what kind of romantic are you? Guys like you are smooth talkers at first, but because the girlfriend isnt a priority, conflicts pile up, and you end up getting pped and dumped. Why not just ruin it with a ritual then? But everything Woosung said was spot-on. Objectively speaking, I really did wrong by her. Seeing me speechless, Joo Woosung deliberately sighed heavily and patted my shoulder. See, Seo Hoyun. You Gulp. Before its toote, give up on Cheongbeom-noona. From what I see, its already doomed. Ha I felt stupid for being anxious over such a 2% hopeless case. Seeing Joo Woosung tease me about tidying up my feelings before Cheongbeom-noona returns from California made me sigh. Joo Woosung. What? You seem to be under a serious misconception. But putting that aside I proudly propped my chin with both hands. Hoyun is an idol, so he doesnt date~. Joo Woosungs eyebrows twitched. Are you pissed? Not like someone who cant keep their mind straight, and then changes partners every three months without getting caught in photos. Or getting trapped by some unknown hoobae and losing their pride, being manipted left and right like a fool. Hey! Perhaps because he was indeed bothered by being manipted by me over the past year, Woosungs eyshes fluttered furiously. Sigh I get the content, but doesnt that third-person speech and tone give you the creeps? Why? Does it creep you out? You should improve your dancing instead of picking up weird stuff. Ding! [Joo Woosung is right about everything!!] [When did you be so shameless?!!] I sneakily nced at the system window that popped up, agreeing with Woosungs words. Having be ustomed to being called a rabbit, what else couldnt I do? With Kang Ichae by my side, constantly whining to not let others touch him, calling himself pretty and cute, and stirring up more trouble. Seeing me be shameless to the point of being encased in armor under their bad influence, Joo Woosung clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. Ive never seen someone like you in my life. Woosung seemed indifferent, but I was slightly worried. He had irritated me here and there since the ck Call Christmas album, talking about concerts and all. Should I tease him a bit? Yes. After briefly contemting, I deliberately tilted my head to catch the right angle. Human? ? Woosung stiffened as if startled, but it was already toote. What are you talking about? Im a baby rabbit. [tlqkf] The system window censored the profanity in its own quirky way, but it was the first time it used suchnguage. Joo Woosung also let out a low curse in front of me. Crazy son of a bitch Ahaha, why? [Has he lost his mind?] [This is insane, looks like theres no need to hand out dialogue boxes anymore] Right? Thinking that if it had to give out dialogue boxes now, itd have to wrap its head too, I sneakily nced at the rising system window with just my eyes and chuckled. Joo Woosung stepped back a few paces with apletely disgusted face. Seo Hoyun, you lunatic Think only Joo Woosung can do it? Im no match for you Shaking his head as though he couldnt handle it anymore, Joo Woosung stopped in his tracks and suddenly widened his eyes. Then, he quickly tapped me and gave me a look. Oh, hello. ? A sinister feeling suddenly overtook me. It was simr to the chills that crept up my back when I realized Kang Ichae was watching me practice aegyo alone in the practice room, or the shock that struck my head when Kang Ichae exposed that fact on a variety show.[1] Krreeeek. I turned my head toward where Joo Woosungs gaze was fixed. Oh Kim Heeyeon stood there. An awkward and chilly breeze swept between us. Unable to even greet her as I froze, Kim Heeyeon, who seemed to havee to smoke a cigarette with one in her mouth, scratched her cheek. And then, in an attempt to lighten the mood, she stuck out her thumb. Typical idol. epting being turned into an animal and even consuming it Ive seen the videos that pop up sometimes. Your professional spirit is admirable. Then, as if nothing was wrong, she lit her cigarette with a lighter. After taking a deep drag and exhaling the smoke, Kim Heeyeon threw in another joke amidst the still tense atmosphere. Baby rabbit, hoo hoo~. Erm, yeah, good, good. Ahaha. She had a sense of humor that wouldnt even work on an AD. Obviously, it fell t, so Kim Heeyeon awkwardly smiled and went into the smoking area. Ding! Ding!! [Ah] [] [Aaaaaah] [Aaaaaaaaah] The system window poured out incessantly. [] [Why does it have to be like this ??? ] Finallying to my senses with the continuous alerts, I turned my gaze toward the direction Kim Heeyeon moved and then lowered my head. [Ah] Life, fuck Ill go first. Eh? As I quickly moved away, I could hear Joo Woosung following behind me. Crazy rabbit, where the hell are you going? Joo Woosung, still not fully grasping the situation, mockingly caught up with my pace and then flinched away when he saw my eyes. Excuse me. It was clear. Even without seeing, he could feel there was something seriously wrong with my expression. My jaw clenched tight. Joo Woosung Eh? Dont call me like that, really, before I lose my shit You were the one saying it just a moment ago. No! When did I?! What?? He wondered why I was acting like this. Roasting Joo Woosung only to end up calling myself a fucking baby rabbit (dammit) in front of my ex? Might as well have said I wanted to die. Why the hell did I even speak up, fuck? What is it? As Joo Woosung muttered, seemingly confused by everything, I was too overwhelmed by my own embarrassment to even listen. [Deep breath] [Sigh] [Ah] [Thinking about it again drives me crazy] Should I bite my tongue now? *** Isnt this really cool? Wow After parting ways with Joo Woosung, who headed off for his mentorship duties, I found myself waiting at the designated meeting ce for our scheduled meeting tomence. Several cameras were already set up there. The members huddled together, engrossed in a video on their phones showing Joo Woosungs cover of the famous pop singers song, BerXche on the Floor, from a recent ck Call concert. Shit I was still squirming in embarrassment. Wow, the lyrics are a bit risky But how does he manage to sing such a sexy song so inly? Exactly, you wouldnt know because of his dancing, but Joo Woosung-sunbae really sings well. The emotional line is no joke! That was because he was inspired by his own real experiences. Iy down, burying my face in my arms, amidst these nave guys entranced by Woosung. Should I just give up on Season 2? Hyung, whats wrong? Lifes just too hard Kang Ichae looked puzzled, but I was deeply pondering a way to avoid seeing Kim Heeyeons face, knowing it would be difficult. Hello~. Ah! Hello. As I racked my brain, Kim Heeyeon entered. The staff following her turned on the cameras and quickly went back outside. I quicklyposed my expression and greeted her along with the other members. Its been a while since weve seen each other. Ah, dont mind the cameras. Its a preliminary meeting, so were filming just in case, but it wont be much footage. Yep! Today, as I mentioned over the phone, well briefly go over the programs direction. First, theres a prepetition meeting to exin how things will proceed. Yes, I understand! Until we had entered the broadcasting station, everyone seemed nervous, but then they all responded briskly. Kim Heeyeon continued her exnation, rifling through documents, as though she had forgotten the earlier incident. First off, it will be organized into six episodes likest time. After that, as a special bonus, there will be a g concert exclusively for the winner. ! Expecting a lot from The Dawn? You should aim for first ce. Eyes sparkled at the mention of the g concert. Perhaps because they hadnt yet experienced a concert, everyones eyes gleamed with ambition. I, too, pulled myself together. Right, lets be the shining star and take first ce. Lets win and break the scenario quickly. The firstpetition is Ah, one moment. Kim Heeyeon, having smiled at The Dawns reaction, paused mid-sentence at the sound of her ringing phone, raised her hand slightly, and stood up. ? Kim Heeyeon seemed unusually lively today. From that moment, I felt a slight sense of unease. Ill take this call and be right back. Just wait a moment. Yep! Kim Heeyeon left with a chuckle at the sight of four young men obediently nodding their heads. Concert?? We can do it, if we take first. Kim Seonghyeon fiddled with his fingers, filled with anticipation about the kind of stage he would like to create for the concert. The other members added their thoughts one by one. However, I just rubbed my forehead in thought. Kim Heeyeon, why is she so energetic? It was impossible for a PD worn out by overtime to be like that. As I looked around, feeling some discord, a sudden realization hit me. Hmm? From the moment I stepped into this ce, something had been off. Why were there so many cameras set up for a preliminary meeting? Can I start being hopeful now? How should we do the opening? The unmanned cameras moved around, capturing the members actions. I carefully observed the seams between walls and the ceiling, making sure not to frown. The patterns dont match. It was as if makeshift partitions had been hastily erected. A shoddy set, numerous cameras, few staff, and Kim Heeyeon, who seemed to have left at just the right time. Ah. So thats what it was. Seong Jiwon, puzzled by my reaction, turned to me. Why? At that moment, the lights went out. Why the lights Is it a ckout? Right on cue, a terrifying scream came from outside. Aaaaaaah! [1] See Episode 48 for the incident. See Episode 61 for Ichaes disy of courage.
For additional chapters, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 150 Chapter 150 What, whats that? All members except for me turned their heads toward the direction of the sound, startled. Perhaps feeling a sense of duty as the leader, Kim Seonghyeon was the first to jump up and approach the door. But when he tried to pull the doorknob, it just rattled without opening. It wont open. Just now, what Jeong Dajun said, his eyes wide and stumbling over his words. A scream, isnt that dangerous? Call, call Then Aaaaaaaah! Yet another scream echoed, followed by Uwaaaaaaaah! Aaaah! Then, something fell from the ceiling with a thud. The leader and the maknaethe two scaredy-catscovered their eyes and screamed like mad. Waaaaah! What, what is it?! Go back, guys, go back! Go back! What do you mean, go back. Ahaha. Kim Seonghyeon tried to flee to a corner, pulling Kang Ichae, who flinched slightly, along with me, who remained impassive, and Seong Jiwon, who, far from being scared, actually burst intoughter. But then Seong Jiwon tilted his head for a moment and boldly approached the object swinging from the ceiling. This is a model? Kim Seonghyeon timidly spread his fingers apart, peeking through to see with his own eyes. What fell from the ceiling was a red-painted model resembling a person. A model? While Jeong Dajun and Kim Seonghyeon clung to each other, trying to calm their pounding hearts, Kang Ichae discovered a mission note pinned to the models clothing. Its a mission? Kim Heeyeon, I knew it would be something like this. Somehow today, theughter seemed particrly hearty, and everything appeared livelier. After all, it was as rare as a unicorn for a PD to have a bright and lively smile, considering that overtime and pressure were asmon as three meals a day. It just didnt exist. Ding! [Wow Birds of a feather] What was I supposed to do about it? Though on the verge of tears, Kim Seonghyeon asked calmly, What, what does the mission note say? Ill read it~. Correction: The leader was not calm. Kang Ichae slowly read what was written on the paper. Shining Star Season 2, the first mission begins. Find the note in a haunted broadcasting station mission! Excuse me? Still unable to shake off the shock, Jeong Dajun, who was sitting in a corner and shivering with fear, suddenly perked up at Kang Ichaes words. The face-off will be divided into dance, vocal, and rap units. Perform on stage in front of the public wearing masks and hats, and the person who receives the most votes will gain a special benefit. What song to perform and how many minutes you have will vary by the note. ? The notes are hidden in Ahh! The broadcasting station is so, so scary. Two members must explore the broadcasting station filled with resentful ghosts during the night to find the note. Two members!! Jeong Dajun stood up with a fist clenched. Then, Hoyun-hyung and Jiwon-hyung should go!! It had not even been a year since someone said, I said I wanted to be helpful to the hyungs, and that someone was already trying to kick me out with bloodshot eyes. Those two didnt even blink an eye! Even Ichae-hyung shivered!! Bangbang-ah, hyung is scared too. Hoyun-hyung, if youre going to lie, at least wet your mouth first! Im scaaared. After wetting my mouth and speaking, Jeong Dajun gave me a deathly re. Ah~, I dont mind going. Seong Jiwon said, seemingly disappointed. But it seems like we cant do that? What, what is it? Seong Jiwon nced at Jeong Dajuns eyes before continuing to read. The participants for this exploration are the two who screamed the loudest. The production team will decide based on the measured decibels. ! Jeong Dajuns mouth fell open. For reference, there were only two people here who had screamed loudly. At that moment, a strange mechanical voice flowed through the meeting room speaker. [96dB Jeong Dajun, 88dB Kim Seonghyeon, pleasee out.] !!! And so, their faces turned pale. . . . [Aaaaaaah!] [Waaaaaaaaah! Jeong Dajun! Come here!] [Hyung, hyung! Dont leave me behind! Seonghyeon-hyuuuuung!] [What, what? Then what am I holding onto right now Aaaaah!] It wasplete chaos. The remaining three were led to another meeting room by the staff, where they were treated to tea and desserts while monitoring Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun in real-time. The dance line is really romantic~. Look at Dajun holding a ghosts arm instead. But they didnt give up halfway. We were simply enjoying ourselves. Laughing heartily, I picked a Shine Muscat grape from the top of a piece of cake with cream. The scene where Kim Seonghyeon (half-crying) serenaded a ghost hiding in the third bathroom stall with aegyo to get a note was a masterpiece. Ahaha, Seonghyeon sings well. Seong Jiwon, who seemed to have picked up a bit from Kang Ichae and me over the year, was also enjoying himself. Next to him, Kang Ichae wasughing out loud, hitting the table with his hand. The staff member standing opposite whispered to Kim Heeyeon after seeing that. Theyve been the most annoyingly mocking among the group so far. Good, good~. Eventually, running as if chased by ghosts until the very end, Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun arrived at the meeting room. Weve arrived!!! Arrived!!!! After tumbling and falling, they both had grimy faces. Wow~. Congrattions~. p, p, p. The staff and members gave them apuse thatcked any soul. Ding! [This lukewarm congrattion] It took about 1 hour and 21 minutes. Congrattions on finishing. I want to cry. Me, me, someone hug me. Two scaredy cats came sniffling over. Being so innocent, they probably didnt even know what fun the others members had in the waiting room while waiting for them. Naturally, I ignored the two and just extended my hand. I, I dont want to do this. What did you bring? What did you bring? It was really bad. As they didnt seem to n on moving while only sticking their mouths out, searching their pockets revealed three pieces of paper: vocal, dance, rap. Obviously, the titles of the songs were written on the notes. Unfolding the paperbeled as the vocal unit, I scanned the contents with my eyes. Were going to sing this at the face-off meeting, right? As a duet representative, yes. Oh. It was a song I had seen somewhere a lot. After reading all the notes, I looked at Seong Jiwon. Jeong Dajun also looked at Seong Jiwon once, then nced at Kang Ichae and stared at me. Huh? Seong Jiwon hung an ambiguous smile on his lips. Isnt this too mean? I thought so too. Not because it was a familiar song. [Seong Jiwon, under the influence of Seo Hoyun, might have gotten slightly corrupted but is still kind, angelic, a good member whom Seo Hoyun wants to be with forever.] What? I skipped the useless content and looked away. Anyway, it as quite mean. [Singing: S0 Dance: A+ Variety: C- Acting: B- Charm: A- ???: ???] Seong Jiwons singing stat. *** Hey hey, whats that? Pedestrians walking by the Han River turned their attention in one direction. Many people were busily setting up cameras and organizing an outdoor stage, with a few handing out something to passersby. Looks like theres a performance? Really? But arent there any posters or banners? Must be a nugu then.[1] Though I sounded indifferent, I was actually quite interested since I was looking for something to do. An hour ago, after eating and with nothing else to do, I was loitering when someone approached and said to me, Were having a guerri concert today. Its a masked king concept, so each duet will sing their songs in turn, and you just have to pick the duo you like the most. Oh~. Interest piqued, I nodded and entered the outdoor concert venue with my friend. It seemed to be just the start time, as the spotlight on the stage was turned on. If theyre nugu, they probably wont sing that well. Eh, better not to expect much. It appeared to be a not-so-famous broadcast as a staff member came out instead of an MC. However, as soon as the first songs melody yed, everyone in the audience gasped. Hiding this increasingly shabby heart of mine, I keep staying up all night. Humble Confession! It was the OST of a drama that had heated up thest year. Being a fan of Min Jiheon, I had listened to this song incessantly, so I felt a special kind of nostalgia. Though I didnt know who sang it, I did remember that the sweet voicebined with the drama-appropriate lyrics had stayed on the charts for quite a while. Wow~, they sing well. However, my actual impression of the song was just thatthey sang well. Butcking was the unique sentiment of Humble Confession. I wonder if many people will choose it because its a famous song. The song ended, and the focused lights went off. Instead, a curtain that was hidden beside it dropped, revealing new lights, and the second and third duets came out to sing different songs. Even then, I thought they sang cleanly, but I still didnt feel a strong appeal in their performance. Everyones not bad. Indeed. I nodded in agreement with my friends words, and then the curtain fell for the fourth time. Say you love me. The song this duet performed was Say You Love Me, a mega-hit by Yu Jia. It was a rock bad brought in for an image change, and it received tremendous love from both men and women. The song was characterized by lyrics that pretended not to know, wanting to hear the words of love from the other person. Huh? Wow~! Amazing. Im asking because I dont know. The concert hall became slightly noisy. Wow, this persons vocal color is amazing. There was no fancy technique, but the pitch of the notes was urate, and the timing was perfect. Even the high notes were cleanly hit, making the audiences eyes go wide. Moreover Crazy. They didnt change the key? They were singing Say You Love Me in its original key. Though considered a low range for a female song and high for a male, the singing remained stable. I love you more than you love me, Yes, only a little bit more. While everyone was being mesmerized by the tickling tone, someone felt a strange sense of dj vu. As someone who had watched Please Take the Camera almost a hundred times just to see Min Jiheons face up close, a tingling sensation pricked up. Whats this?? The man standing next to the singer, even though covered with a hat and mask, showed a rxed attitude and silhouette without a hint of nervousness. It seemed very familiar. But I dont want to say it easily, you like it when I act like this. Wow, its stable all the way to the end. These guys are the best. Everyone else, excluding myself, just kept nodding their heads to the delightful stage. Then, the man who had been quietly standing there the whole time lifted the mic. Since you dont know, I have no choice I will say this only once. !! Goosebumps ran up my spine. Again! Say it once more. The transition from falsetto to full voice was very natural. Amid the murmuring of the audience, the two singers gestured with their hands as they harmonized, reminiscent of idol gestures. Say you love me again! If you care for me, once more. Wow, shit, whats this? It was impossible to describe it as just singing well. The thrill I felt at the first famous singers concert I had ever attended was conveyed to me just the same now. This is insane. Hey! Hey, hey! Before this, I didnt even have the slightest expectation, but now, I was gaping and staring only at the stage. Then, my friend hit my arm repeatedly. I looked annoyed at first, but my friend was too excited to notice his surroundings. That person, its him! What? The Humble Confession, him! What? If you really dont know, once more. Listening carefully, it indeed seemed like it. Eh? Having watched Please Take the Camera, the OST had been drilled into my ears countless times. Distinguishing a familiar voice was easy. Cant help it, I will tell you until you know. Right! Right! It seems right?! Excitement grew with the realization. The expressions of those around seemed to indicate that they too were thinking the same. Say You Love Me Crazy, crazy! At that moment, I screamed and frantically pressed the vote button. As Humble Confession-Him duet reached its climax, the numbers disyed above the screen surged crazily. [109] First ce. Although the fifth team still remained,pared to the previous teams, the voting score was overwhelmingly high. Soon after, the fifth performance also came to an end, and the scores were tallied, but the rankings remained unchanged. Ah, it has to be, right?! Told you! Who else would draw this much attention?? Looking around, it seemed that most people were as engrossed as they were in figuring out if the person they expected from the fourth duet was the right one. Alright! Voting is now closed. Please remove your masks in order! Following this, starting from the very left to the third group, they took off their hats and masks in time with the instrumental of the song they sang, greeting the audience. Aaaah! Seeing the cheers erupt from around them, it seemed like they were idols. However, my friend and I were waiting for a different introduction. ? Just then, the first part of the song sung by the fourth duet yed. As the spotlight came back on, two tall men wearing hats and masks stood on the stage. Team D! Please remove your masks! Following the staffs voice transmitted through the speaker, one of them took off his mask and hat first. A brown-haired man with a slightly smiling, gentle face appeared, causing his friend to mutter almost absentmindedly in awe. Crazy, holy shit. The man, backlit by white lighting that seemed like a halo, looked like an angel to even those who knew nothing. Hey, what the Hes freaking handsome? Damn, crazy! Im searching him up now! My friend quickly took out his phone and started searching Humble Confession on a web portal and soonpared the photo of the singer he found with the face of the man standing before them. Seong Jiwon? Hey, it must be him! It is, it is!! But our chatter couldnt continue. Because screams erupted from around us. Aaaahhh!! Turning our gaze forward, the other person next to the angel also took off his ck hat. It was a face all too familiar to me. Crazy. Please Take the Camerathat PD. Lee Jeonghun. The material for a supporting male, that supporting actor!! What an asshole PD!! Without realizing, I yelled, forgetting even to maintain appearances. But this wasnt embarrassing since everyone around found themselves in a simr situation. The PD from Please Take the Camera and the angel exchanged nces, smiled slyly, and waved lightly toward the audience. Wow, this is totally goosebump-inducing. What, what, is this a drama?? I was excitedly making a fuss with my friend. Aaaaaah!! A cheer and admiration unlike any before filled the air. Turning our heads, two men at the very right end were removing their masks. Huh? He was an idol, familiar even to the uninitiated. . . . Shit I fluttered my eyshes rapidly. After the preliminary meeting, there were various calctions. In fact, if it came to a Humble Confession, taking first ce was almost a given. To appeal to the public while keeping ones face hidden, it was important to produce a familiar song with a familiar voice, and securing such an advantage in thepetition was only natural. However, It would be boring to win first ce with just Humble Confession. If it seemed too easy or selfish, the picture painted wouldnt be a good one. So, to create a decent board within an appropriate line, I had to use a bit of cunning. With Seong Jiwon, whose voice was quite well-known, leading, and my participation which could bring an issue afterward, I was confident that we could definitely secure the topic of conversationter. If we had Seong Jiwon, with his S-rated singing stat, I was confident we could take first ce with any song. Damn it! Yes, winning first ce up to the face-off was possible. Ahaha, hello. That was unexpected. High Five! High five. The next-generation representative idol group, super rookie, monster neers. Whatever words were added, it made sense, being a junior group directly under ck Call. They clearly werent in the initial lineup and didnt actually need to be It was the arrival of a group that didnt match our level. Joo Woosung, this guy, somehow didnt tell me No matter how much I pestered Joo Woosung this time, I got no answers. Shining Star contestants? I really dont know~. Then, goodbye. Consistently rude little shit. No matter how much I pestered the guy who rattled off about Shining Star Season 2, he wouldnt open his mouth about the cast. He just shrugged his shoulders shamelessly, ying dumb. I knew it would be like this. A High Five member looked this way and slightly waved their hand. I also smiled back at High Five. Of course, my mind was cooling down quickly. At the same time, Kim Heeyeons words came to mind. You should aim for first ce. Hey, Kim Heeyeon. Youre telling me topete with these guys and win first ce? [1] A nugu refers to a group that is yet to achieve poprity.
For additional chapters, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 151 Chapter 151 High Five. This year marked their third year since debuting as the six-member junior group under the same agency as ck Call. They were touted as the next leading figures of K-Pop, following in ck Calls footsteps. Well, by this point, most would know. That these guys had no reason to be here. Those with heavy consciences[1] Making my way to the waiting room, diligently greeting other groups and staff along the way, Seong Jiwon nudged me. Hoyun. Yeah? I turned my head, following Seong Jiwons gaze, and saw High Five. Hello. As soon as our eyes met, the leader of High Five approached us as if he had been waiting. Wow, that was really amazing just now. Congrattions on first ce. Thank you for your hard work. Im Kang Yeonhu. Yes. Im Seo Hoyun. Kang Yeonhu, High Fives leader, smiled affably. While exchanging greetings with their leader and main vocal, I could feel the nces of members from other groups. But Kang Yeonhu seemedpletely unaware, focusing solely on us. This guy. I had a feeling about this. I changed my expression and smiled brightly. I enjoyed High Fives performance. Honestly, Im a bit disappointed with the ranking, but theres nothing we can do about it. Seong Jiwon, you were really amazing. Ahaha, thank you. But we wont lose next time, right? Kang Yeonhu, with a yful twinkle in his eye, didnt add any unnecessary words and walked away with his fellow member. Watching their retreating figures, Seong Jiwon slowly opened his mouth. Hes quite sociable. Tell me about it. I brushed my hair, which was poking my eyes under my cap. Woosung. The right amount of friendliness, the appropriatement, and even a polite smile. So Your hoobae is kind of creepy. It was clear he knew how to behave and present himself to others, the mark of a long-term trainee. At least he wasnt as careless or stupid as Today, who spilled their weaknesses everywhere. Should we rethink our strategy? I walked slowly, organizing my thoughts. Working in a broadcasting station meant inevitably mixing with people. Especially in variety shows, it was crucial not only toe up with good programs but also to shape and refine the characters of the cast. As a result, having rolled around in this field, I prided myself on having a pretty urate eye for people. So, I could say this about someone at that level: finding even a speck of dust on him would be hard. Not because he was wless, but because his self-management was thorough. Hoyun. At that moment, another individual with the keen sense of a long-term trainee called me. Yeah? Lets not have weird thoughts. When have I ever? After a brief pause, I shamelessly retorted to Seong Jiwon. Really? I swear on my conscience. Since I had no conscience, it was easy to swear on it. Seong Jiwon chuckled in disbelief, and then his phone rang. When he answered it, Jeong Dajuns excited voice came through. We got second ce in the dance unit. Really? S-, second ce in stats. Kim Seonghyeons dancing skills were objectively superior. In fact, it was judged that he would shine more the more he shed the idolbel or when his face was hidden. So, I naturally thought Kim Seonghyeon would win. Surprising, isnt it? Tell me about it Ah. Puzzled by the unexpected result, I thought Id have to ask more details when we met. Then a brief message from Kang Ichae arrived in our group chat. Kang Ichae: 1st ce in rap Kang Ichae: ^^V Wow. As expected of Kang Ichae. First in the rap unit, first in the vocal unit, second in the dance unit. A good start. Seong Jiwon smiled brightly and started walking. I followed him, tapping Seong Jiwons back as he bowed politely to every staff member we passed. Seong Jiwon, Im kind of proud of you. Eh? Considering the kind of creepy guys around, youve grown up quite well. *** The face-off had ended, but not a single piece of news about Shining Star Season 2 leaked out anywhere. So, the Noeuls were in a state of unparalleled peace. [Title: Guys, have you seen the text posted on The Dawns official? Its hrious. Kang Ichae put up a photo with a caption Hyung, youre really too much Ichae: Eek! Praise me quickly, please! >< Hoyun: [2] Dajun: Wow!! Hoyun-hyung is quite sincere for once. Seonghyeon: He replied. Must be apliment. Look at them marveling over those two letters. Seo Hoyun, how the hell have you lived your life? Kang Ichae called him insincere and then Seo Hoyun sends an annoyed text, so he posts a few more. Ichae: You seem like a really fun(trash) and kind-hearted person. asionally, I am (beautiful) astounded by you, Mr. Seo Hoyun (no-ssagaji)[3] Kang Ichae, why are you like this? Even Seo Hoyuns reply Hoyun: gamsa[4] But Jiwon caught it too Jiwon: ching-chan!![5] Is this a praise? Jiwon, please dont do this LMAO its too funny that the craziness spread Seriously, why are you like thistely, Seong Jiwon Dajun said on V-Live that Jiwon suggested getting a The Dawn tattoo Thats real madness.. And even Kang Ichae would be startled Im really worried about Seonghyeon these days The rest are usual themselves, but Seonghyeonughter How does one survive in that Dawn+Jungle] Thats how the Nouels were, casually chatting away about the memes officially provided as usual. Until one post came up. [Title: But isnt that text asking for praise rted to Shining Star? Heard theres a unitpetition or something Did Kang Ichae do well in the rap unit?] A very urate prediction post made even the doubtful Noeuls start to catch fire. [Fuck Is this real?] [Ah shit, herees the PTSD from another survival show] It was because they had been burnt too much before. [Having to deal with all this hair-pulling, do we really have to Im already disillusioned] [Its a bit annoying but I dont think its bad to participate. Thanks to thest Shining Star, our first-week sales skyrocketed It might even go higher this time] [Seriously, do we have to do this? Cant the guys just be happy doing their activities? Fuck that, lets give it our all!!! Lets stan like its thest time!!!] Opinions were divided. But, having won Shining Star Season 1, it was pretty much a given theyd participate in Season 2, thus greatly drawing the Noeuls attention. So, the day the news broke. [Shining Star Season 2 ising back!] The broadcastworks server crashed. [Yo, is it true the server crashed Seriously, ss server These guys still havent thought of fixing it] It was natural since not just The Dawns fans but fans of all the groups listed in the lineup rushed in. With the tremendous sess of Shining Star Season 1 and considerable anticipation for the announced Season 2 lineup, interest was bound to be high. [Shining Star Season 2 Star Will Shine Again! High Five, Bercy, TEW, Try, The Dawn] Most fans of the idol groups mentioned in the lineup felt their heads spinning. [High Five???????????] [Damn, the tyranny of bigpanies is insane They dont need to be here with their current first-week sales] [Their capital size is different (Obviously, theyre kids raised with ck Calls money;;) Do they really have to join this shit fuck] Naturally, criticism toward High Five grew. [Were pissed too ] High Fives side was not taking it lightly, their irritation mounting. This only heightened the fandom wars. [It hurts our pride so much topete with these mismatched guys Our kids What do we do Yeah, your idol sucks Are you dumb?] As the official site went live and some promotional videos started circting on YouTube, the atmosphere, bing increasingly hostile, had the Noeuls trembling with anxiety. Say you love me! Of course, that was only until the highlight edit video of the first episode was released before its airing. The moment Seong Jiwon sang the first verse, the audiences stir could be felt even through the screen. The Noeuls felt a rush of exhration. [Ah!!! Jiwon!!! Hoyun!!!!!!!] [It doesnt make sense if this doesnt win first ce] Because it felt like they had been outssed by skill. [Seong Jiwon is really on a roll these days, following in ck Calls Jeongwoos footsteps as the next K-pop god, it seems] [He is Korean.] While they were busy praising endlessly over a single video, the next one for the rap unit was uploaded. A ck mask, cap, and hoodie couldnt hide the unmistakable faded grapefruit hair of Kang Ichae. Its chasing! And he truly was a madman. [Wow] Even in the short video, a series of techniques and performances seamlessly followed one after another, dominating the stage with absolute freedom. [Kang Ichae really seems like a genius, sometimes I get sick of it. Not justposing and producing but damn;; his rap is killer] [The vibe is crazy He mustve been smirking leisurely, oh it drives me crazy] However, for the dance units Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun, despite attracting attention with their shy breakdancing, the reason for their failure was too obvious. [Ah] High Fives main dancer shed his abs. [] [Ah damn fuck I have to admit it] Since voting was conducted on-site, oveing a performance that left a strong impression was difficult unless there was a huge disparity in dancing skills. In the end, High Five indeed secured 1st ce by a significant margin. [This is 1st ce??? Yep, heard so Darn Its regrettable but have to admit] [Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun really danced like crazy, but couldnt beat the abs guy] [Seonghyeon Shouldve shed yours too Sneakily wishing] Then, a post predicting the rankings of the face-offpetition appeared in amunity. It was the result ofbining reviews posted by general voters and scrutinizing the edits andments. [Title: Prediction Dance unit 1st ce: High Five Vocal unit 1st ce: The Dawn Rap unit 1st ce: The Dawn Guys, dont give it any attention -DoNotFeedDoNotFeedDoNotFeed] Despite thements, the atmosphere among the already sensitive fandoms was buzzing. [Seems right?] [Hmm, Ive been rewatching it constantly, seems correct. The Dawns dance unit is 2nd ce] Hearing this news, Noeul tried to act indifferent, but they couldnt hide their amusement even in the posts they uploaded on SNS. After all, it was said they won purely on skill through blind voting. [Well, we wont know till just before the broadcast] [This time the song was great Genius Idol] But as the atmosphere was already tense, there was no need to stir up controversy further, so everyone tried to quietly move on. However, that was only temporary. Someone leaked the face-off nning of Shining Star,pletely turning things around. [Guys, if you get 1st ce, its 1,500 points per unit] Yes. The 1st ce of the respective unit face-off was awarded 1,500 points each, and 2nd ce got 1,000 points. Fans other than Noeuls poured out their anger on various sites. [The Dawn 3,000 points, High Five 1,000 points???] [Ah, fuckIdols are also judged by their poprity, right?! So pissed, either be popr or not!! Has the production team note to their senses yet?!!!!!] [If you wanna be Mask King, go there, fuck~~ Are you kidding me? You bitches???] Only the Noeuls were at peace. [Oh my??] Having already faced many challenges, they were able to package their calmness well, sneaking into private ounts without causing unnecessary disputes. [Guys, we voted based on talent Dont be too mad~] [Ah lets not be too harsh If I were a fan from another group, I would feel bad too, honestly, its a ridiculous method but hey, Noeul, our babies got 1st ce Ah] [If an idol has no talent, what are they supposed to do? CuriousCurious If not talented, at least be handsome But our kids their faces are celestial too what to do;; Its really tough.. ] [Ah~ If Seonghyeon had just revealed his abs, it would have been 4500 points, what a pity Ah, Seonghyeon, lets show them at our solo concertter!] They were masters at throwing shade, just like someone they knew. [Ha Every time I get disillusioned, I wanna quit K-pop Those who say theyll quit are the ones who stay the longest Real ones just leave without saying such stuff This~~~!!! This is just a temporary love Im only staying to see the Dawnies win 1st] Yet, regardless of the Noeuls strong mentality, the tension among the fandoms continued to build. Thus came the day of the Shining Star shooting. Seo Hoyun felt a subtly cold atmosphere the moment he entered the shooting location. Hello! Were The Dawn. Ah, yes. Hello. No matter whom he greeted, the response was like seeing a stranger, thoroughly putting up a wall. Hello~. Oh! Its been a while. Here, the gathered idols, each with years of experience, were acquainted with one another and greeted each other warmly. Of course, there were checks and bnces exchanged in the process. But to The Dawn? Ah, The Dawn? I know, I know~. What checks? It wasnt like he was a ghost, but it was the first time in a while he was treated like a nobody. Was it because of their 1st-ce finish at the face-off, or simply because they didnt want to include him in their league? Seo Hoyun slightly twitched his eyebrows at him but didnt say much. Bullshit. To Seo Hoyun, a former PD now 34 with life experience, it all seemed like nothing more than childish antics that were neither useful nor helpful. When will our Dajun grow up~? Hell be taller than you, definitely taller Is his growth te still open~?? It is!! With a small click of his tongue, he turned his head toward Kang Ichae, who was already seated and yfully pressing down on Jeong Dajuns head. Kang Ichae, stop it. What do you want to drink? Hurry up and say it. Hm? ? ??? Suddenly, they stared at each other, not understanding, then Kang Ichae burst outughing. Ah, I guess its already be a habit?? Ah, shit. Having gotten used to amodating Kang Ichaes preferences after falling ill in Japan, Seo Hoyun cursed under his breath as he got up from his seat. Kang Ichae, never one to miss an opportunity to tease, followed him closely. Ichae is happy, Seotorious~. Never call me by that nickname in front of me. Why are you taking hits again these days? Having escaped from Kang Ichaes clutches, Jeong Dajun brightened up and tidied his hair. Ah Does that guy grow thorns if he doesnt tease someone for even 10 seconds? Jeong Dajun, were just sacrifices give up. As long as youre part of this group with Mr. Seo and Mr. Kang, theres nothing you can do, right?? Though some cast envious looks at the overly rxed The Dawn, the involved parties werent affected in the least. Phew, hang in there, Dajun. Lets think about what were going to eatter. What does Dajun want to eat? I want to eat whatever Jiwon-hyung wants~. Stop lying and speak honestly. Korean beef. Okay. While Kim Seonghyeon looked around somewhat sharply, Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun leaned on their hands, busy chatting and choosing the meal menu on their phones. See this? The TEW groups vocal next to them didnt like the look of this. TEW had been around for a while, so he was careful not to get caught up in needless gossip, but it was irksome to see these not-even-two-years-in guys being so noisy. Back in my day, I couldnt even drink water for fear of the seniors eyes. Hello? So, he spoke up. Ah, hello. However, the person he addressed happened to be Seong Jiwon, with a steel mentality that not even a needle could prate. Arent you nervous? Wow~, my hands are shaking! Ahaha, of course, its very nerve-wracking. Hmm? Seeing Seong Jiwon respond with augh without a hint of nervousness, he found it boring and quickly shifted his target. Jeong Dajun, youre nervous, right? Huh? I havent eaten a single meal. I feel like Ill throw up if I do~. Its better to approach such an important asion with gravity, right? = Can you even swallow food right now? Jeong Dajuns eyes widened. Exactly. Lets work hard, everyone. = Keep an eye out, The innocence inly shown on his face made him think he could easily tease Jeong Dajun. Seeing him slightly lift the corner of his mouth, Kim Seonghyeon red at him fiercely, Ho An ambiguous exmation escaped from Jeong Dajuns mouth. Huh? A year ago, Jeong Dajun might have been flustered and at a loss, or he might have taken it seriously without realizing. Whats with him? However, he had spent thest year by Seo Hoyuns side. Like rice in a hot pan, The Dawns maknae had been sufficiently seasoned to handle situations like this. Even living with the ultimate provocateur had made him immune to such low-level provocations. Yep. Thanks to that, his response was very nonchnt. Well, that can happen Sunbae, fighting~. = You might as well not eat But seriously, what are we eating, hyung? = Im gonna eat This is why they said to be careful what you drink in front of kids. Seo Hoyun had painstakingly protected the seemingly innocent maknae, but Jeong Dajun had long since mastered a new way of speaking. [1] Hoyun actually used the phrase , means something like having a fur on your conscience. [2] It means congrats. [3] This was written with English characters in the raw. A ssagaji is someone who is unkind. [4] Also written with English characters , and it means thank you, like from . [5] Again, originally written with English characters. It means something likepliments.
For additional chapters, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 152 Chapter 152 Hyungs here. Oh, youre here? I finally got Kang Ichae, who had been annoyingly following me around and spouting nonsense like Im actually a cat person and HouHou, to shut his mouth with a re. Having downed a can myself, I returned to my spot just in time to hear Jeong Dajun peacefullymenting about the cost of Korean beef. I want Korean beef, but its so expensive Dajun, thats because you order servings for five. Looks like nothing happened? Though I wanted to ignore it, I couldnt help feeling a bit worried as asional nces pierced my way, but fortunately, it seemed nothing major had happened. Then Kim Seonghyeon, who had been sitting alone with a sour face, looked at me and raised an eyebrow. Seo Hoyun. Huh? Stay away from the maknae No more. What in the world did that mean? Ahaha, right. Hoyun. Maybe keep a little distance. Even Seong Jiwon, who was next to us, agreed with Kim Seonghyeons words whileughing. But really, what was going on? However, not particrly curious, I didnt resist as Kim Seonghyeon led me by the hand away from where Jeong Dajun was sitting to the farthest seat. As time passed with us looking around, the set suddenly became bustling. Hello! High Five had arrived. The set buzzed with the cheerfulughter of the participants, hiding theirpetitive spirits and oddly warm attitudes. We are High Five. The moment Kang Yeonhu stepped into the set with a straight posture, our eyes met, and he slightly lifted the corners of his eyes in greeting. Naturally, I too, feigned a pleasant smile in return. Soon after, members of other groups gathered around Kang Yeonhu. Yeonhu-hyung, have you been well? Ahaha, sunbae. Whats with you. Noticing the atmosphere, even Kang Ichae looked at him indifferently. [Wee to Shining Star.] Then, a mechanical voice sounded. At the same time, letters appeared on the giant screen set up on the set. [Will you be the brightest star? The predicted ranking of the final winners is revealed.] Unlike the first season where everyone wrote down their predictions for the ranking of the groups, including their own, this time, the ranking was determined by voting for the group expected to rank first beforehand. [4th ce: Try 3rd ce: Bercy 2nd ce: TEW] And naturally, the 1st ce was [1st ce: High Five] High Five!! While all groups were noisy about the rankings, Kim Seonghyeons expression hardened. 5th? We got zero votes? The members, who had been at ease until moments ago, now had stiff smiles and let out hollowughter. Having gained confidence in their skills and performances, the members pride was wounded by the dismissive result of the vote. I tapped my chin. Guys. To me, who thought a variety show without narrative was like a red bean bun without the filling, this situation was simply amusing. Itll look nice when edited. Hyung, Ichae is sad Get lost. I pushed aside those who didnt care about others opinions. I brushed off Kang Ichaes head with my finger as he pretended to whine and tried to lean on my shoulder. At that moment, the spotlight turned toward the entrance. The door burst open, and a man in a suit and two women in evening dresses entered. Hello. It was the arrival of the MC and mentors. Im Joo Woosung. For now, lets put aside the fact that Joo Woosung, who looked as if he was born to wear suits, was a mentor. I will be your MC, Ha Seoyeon. The actor Ha Seoyeon, known for her role in a popr youth drama and whom I had seen before near the smoking area, appeared as the MC, and next to her, Han Chaeri from White Cherry was beaming as a mentor. Im Han Chaeri! So, basically He was standing between his exes. Crazy Knowing the full context, I couldnt hide my shock, but fortunately, I thought others would attribute it to the MC and mentors arrival. Joo Woosung casually scanned the set and winked in our direction. I had to try my best not to contort my face. Once again, wee to Shining Star. I also followed Shining Star Season 1 closely. Its quite the feeling to see Season 2 unfold. Ha Seoyeon, with her actorsposed demeanor, continued the proceedings calmly. Shining Star Season 2, aside from the introductory meeting, consists of four rounds ofpetition. The team with the highest total score will be the brightest star. Now, Woosung, could you please tell us about the special privilege awarded to the winning team? Yes, Seoyeon. Joo Woosung continued, his smile shamelessly smooth and sly. The final winning team will be granted the privilege of their own reality show and a g concert at the specified venue. Behind Joo Woosung, various famous idol concert videos were disyed on the screen. The vibrant lights and booming sound, along with the piercing screams of fans, elicited gasps from everyone. Wow, to perform there It was a considerablyrge indoor stadium, renowned among idols as the dream concert venue. Wow! Jeong Dajun blinked in amazement, the blue light from the screen reflecting in his eyshes. I chuckled slightly. Looking forward to it? I was confident enough to grant such privileges to Jeong Dajun. Having toured the world several times, such things were no big deal for Joo Woosung and Han Chaeri, who smiled warmly at the cast members gazing at the screen with sparkling eyes. As the video ended, Han Chaeri picked up the microphone. I guess thats enough for an introduction? Lets get straight to the point without boring you! With those words, she snapped her fingers, and the lights dimmed instantly, spotlighting a small table ced at the top of the stairs. There was a small box on it. Whats that? Waiting for the murmuring of the cast to quiet down, Ha Seoyeon slowly opened her mouth. Ill announce the theme for the firstpetition. ! Your song, my song challenge. Its a cover songpetition. As she spoke, a list of song titles scrolled down the screen one after another. Most were top idol songs, the kind that everyone would have heard at least once. Just write down the song you want to perform from this list and put it in that box. Then, you draw. Simple, right? While listening to Ha Seoyeon exin, I scanned the list from top to bottom. A song in the corner caught my eye. Hmm. I pulled up the corners of my mouth in satisfaction. So, what should we be careful about here? When Han Chaeri lightly asked, Bercys main vocal raised his hand. He took the microphone and carefully said, Does this mean someone else could pick the paper I wrote? !! Yes! Exactly that! If someone else gets the song you wrote down, itd be infuriating, right? Depending on how you n, it could be an advantage or a disadvantage, so please choose your song carefully. As Joo Woosung took the microphone, Han Chaeris smile visibly trembled. It would have been more entertaining if Woosung had stirred up some trouble, but looking at his sleek face only made me even less interested in his love life. Other groups quickly huddled together to start brainstorming. What should we do? Should we go for something strong? But what if its taken? Holding a piece of paper provided by the staff, I re-examined the song titles disyed on the screen. If my turn came and it was still avable, I wouldnt have to worry about my song being taken. After all, I had learned a skill from someone. And if it were taken, it seemed it would make for an interesting situation. However, I weighed in my mind the benefits we could gain, the impact it could have on other groups, and whether there were things to gain even if things didnt go as nned. Having sorted that out, I looked at the members. Guys, theres something hyung want to do. You can do it without calling yourself hyung. Theres something Hoyun wants to do. I quickly wrote something down on the paper. The expressions of the members watching me gradually became odd. This one. ? As I picked up thepleted paper, Kim Seonghyeon leaned in and whispered quietly, Are you sure? Of course. If it goes to another group Whatever it is, itll still be fun. Kim Seonghyeon stared at me for a moment. I could exin if he wanted, but even if I did, it wouldnt be easy to get his agreement. Even if he did oppose it, considering how soft-hearted he was to the members, I was sure I could sway him. But without much ado, he simply nodded slightly and tapped my shoulder. Okay, got it. What was reflected in his eyes was trust. Kim Seonghyeon. You were told not to trust people easily. Chuckling, after getting the unanimous consent of all the members, I neatly folded the note and ced it in the box. As the song selection for all groups ended, Ha Seoyeon, standing beside the box with the mic in hand, smiled brightly. Please, High Five,e forward. Yes! As Kang Yeonhu, the leader of High Five, strode forward, Ha Seoyeon yfully tapped the box. How about we draw again? Unless someone was incredibly unlucky, it was somewhat predictable what song woulde up. Likely fearing their turn, everyone probably mixed in famous songs by top male idol groups as a safe bet. But Next up, The Dawn. Pleasee forward. It wouldnt be fun if everything was too simr, right? Ding! [Are you really going to pick that one?] I shrugged nonchntly as if it was obvious and stood up with a calm expression. All the while, the system window red noisily as I walked. [Are you sure thats a good choice?] [You do know the quest is to finish first, right?!] [Are you confident in what youll pick? Its random.] There was nothing in this world that couldnt be done. Stopping in front of the box, I turned my head to look at Kang Ichae. Ichae. When our eyes met, Kang Ichae narrowed his eyes as if to say, What are you plotting? Thanks. Ill make good use of your skill, okay? Oh, this is troubling. Ahaha, would worrying change anything? Feigning concern, I scratched my head, elicitingughter from behind me, as if to say that worrying was pointless. Still, we have to be careful. It all depends on the luck of the draw, doesnt it? I was reminded of that time. The conversation I had with Kang Ichae after filming our own content in the provinces. Did you, before putting it in the box slightly fold it? When Kang Ichae had chosen a fancy restaurant in a draw that involved dinner.[1] Youve got keen eyes, huh? At that time, Kang Ichae hadughed as if amused by my question. Well, if its folded, you can tell by the feel. Right. This is it. I could feel the slight fold of the paper under my fingertips. I pulled up the corners of my mouth and drew the note out of the box. The Dawn have selected. All eyes gathered my way. Ah, its the one I wrote. And this was the stage I had personally prepared. How could this not work out in my favor? As I held up the card and smiled, Joo Woosungs expression hardened. Lea Purples ?! Just the mention of the singers name caused a stir in the venue. As I fluttered the paper toward our leader, Kim Seonghyeon, he touched his eyebrow, sporting an ambiguous smile. You little Easy Tempo it is. Ill show you something fun, hyung. [1] See Episode 117 for Ichaes cunning.
For additional chapters, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 153 Chapter 153 Joo Woosung, are you seriously crazy? Standing on the third-floor balcony of the studio and tapping away at his phone, Joo Woosung turned around with a big grin. Seo Hoyun, hi. I was going to be annoyed that you didnt tell me about the lineup, but now, Im just astonished. How did you manage to between those two I couldnt finish my sentence, just shaking my head in disbelief. Joo Woosung, who had dreaded even the idea of participating in an end-of-the-year stage with White Cherrys Han Chaeri, seemed in a good mood today. You know, you only seem to pick upmon sense in the weirdest ces. Its Joo Woosung whos missingmon sense in weird ces. Joo Woosung chuckled. Then, leaning on the railing, he waved his hand and looked down at the crowd gathering below. Season 2, its a real mess, huh? My direct hoobae and an ex-girlfriends mega party And then theres you. Unbelievable. Why am I included in this sticky mess? Its all rted to Joo Woosung. Are you asking even though you know? Youre the worst of them all. Youre the worst, sure. I crossed my arms and stared at him, only for Joo Woosung to just tilt his head. Why on earth did you choose a Lea Purple song? Why? What do you mean, why? Joo Woosung snorted as if he couldnt believe it. You know what youre doing. Everyone knows you arranged the stage lineup like that to avoid being entangled in a scandal. But why would you go out of your way to bring Lea Purple here? Dont you know thats just going to leave a bad impression on the fans? Hearing this from Joo Woosung feels refreshing. You wanna die? The reality was that Joo Woosung, about to go on air with not one but two ex-girlfriends by his side, still had a reason for never getting entangled in any messy scandals throughout his numerous rtionships. He never let on in front of the fans, always meeting in secret locations when necessary. Besides, the agency couldnt afford to lose ck Call, so they had thoroughly blocked it. What are you going to do if a scandal breaks out? As if he was overly sensitive about such matters. Ordinary people would think that way, right? ? I moved next to Joo Woosung, leaned my chin on the railing, and looked down. Dont worry. I have a n. TEW was standing below. We could hear our groups name being mentioned, and everyone exchanged awkward smiles and nces. It wasnt a strange conversation to overhear. Just typical workce gossip. Be careful not to act rashly. Joo Woosung also noticed and turned to look in that direction as he spoke. Theres a limit to dragging others down with you. Theyre being cautious enough as it is. It cant be helped, the more you roll in this industry, the more you learn to protect yourself. Is that from experience? Joo Woosung red at me for a moment before sighing. Seemed like he meant to say, if youre going to talk about serious stuff, at least listen. Anyway, you cant rely on the same luck as in Season 1. You have to face it with your skills now. I looked at Joo Woosung. Isnt it surprising? What is? That Joo Woosung would think like this. The top star smirked sarcastically at my words. Luck? Fair point. To the outside world, it would seem like luck. If Season 1 was truly a wild field, Season 2 was a mess pretending to be neat. At least the wilderness was pure, but here, only those who survived the muck were swarming around. Meaning, the politicking was going to be even worse. As Joo Woosung said, the more you rolled in this industry, the more you learned to protect yourself. So, wouldnt that make it more interesting? I think differently. It all depends on the situation, doesnt it? What do you think? Its the people who have more who do more. I have seen such cases countless times. Those who have tasted know the vor, and those who have had grown greedy. The more you have to protect, the greedier you be, and soon, youll bare your fangs. Thats why the higher you climb, the more you can do whatever you want and still be forgiventhats when you can truly understand a persons character. What if, on the contrary, someone tried to take away the rice bowl youve always enjoyed? People are mostly the same. They would throw a tantrum. Do you know who I am? wasnt a line that had be clich in dramas for no reason. Because there have been many people who said that. It seemed everyone was being extra cautious this time, so there was a need to find a way to choose the most likely candidate to make a foolish mistake. Thats why this song was chosen. Im kind of curious who it will be. Indeed, who would make the most idiotic mistake? The trap was set; now, all that was left was to wait for someone to fall into it. I tapped my fingers on the railing, pondering. And I hope its your hoobae. Woosung would be horrified if he knew. Well, lets pretend I didnt hear that. Lets just move past it, okay? I had expected to at least get called a sly fox for saying it with a mischievous smile, but Woosung simply nodded in agreement. Be that as it may. ? When I gave him a puzzled look, Woosung nced at me and rubbed his neck. Ill help you. What? With my scheming? Woosung twitched his eyebrows at my dumbfounded expression. What kind of bullshit are you thinking?! Im talking about skills, skills. Im going to help you improve your dancing. Really?? Seo Hoyun, do you think I came here to be a mentor for no reason? Was Woosung actually His unexpected confession left my thoughts stuttering. Excuse me. No way. Maybe it was because my brain wasnt working properly, but Woosungs words sounded like he voluntarily came out to mentor me. Lets not make absurd ims just to show off. Where do you think you are, showing your teeth like that? Didnt you, the quick-witted guy, notice anything odd? Sure, thepany suggested it, but do you think I have the time toe out here as a mentor? Theyd normally assign a regr trainer or something. Woosungs mockery made me even more bewildered. So, like I said before. Im going to get cursed from all sides. Foring out as a mentor because of my direct hoobae, Ill get criticized, and then for not looking after my hoobae but hanging around weird fucks, Ill get cursed again. What? Hmm, guess Ill live a long life then? Seeing the guy mutter awkwardly, I opened my mouth slightly. Thats some nonsense Well, even if we give him the benefit of the doubt and this was true. Joo Woosung. What? Do you by any chance have a DNA sequenceposed entirely of fools? Or are you just crazy? That was way over the line. Fuck, yeah, Im a food, you bastard. At least youre aware, which is good. Youre brutally harsh. Woosung, who was begrudgingly looking at me as if caring for me was a hassle, sighed deeply and took out his phone. Haah, its thankless. Like Seonghyeon, youre not cute in the slightest No manners, no skills, and your dancing is clumsy. Whats there to like? I must be crazy. Stop talking behind peoples backs. Seo Hoyun, do you really, really, really not understand why me and Cheongbeom-noona act like a fool in front of you? I didnt know. Maybe you guys were just fools? Though I couldnt see my own expression, Woosung lifted one corner of his mouth upon seeing my face. Thats why youre an unknown, you lunatic. No, but this guy was really picking a fight. *** After selecting thepetition song, the schedule for Shining Star Season 2 progressed quickly. Haah Why are you sighing so much? Oh, its nothing! The decision to increase the density of the broadcast meant more frequent shooting than the previous season, and naturally, more preparation was required. Thanks to that, not only the cast but also the production team faced a tight schedule. In fact, they were so short on staff members for the participants interviews that they had to deploy personnel from the culture department. And that was exactly why the youngest AD at the broadcasting station was endlessly sighing right now. Ugh. As he followed Kim Heeyeon around and set up the camera at the designated spot, he recalled his whiny younger cousin. I have to get a High Fives autograph As a big fan of High Five, he had pestered him via text, KakaoTalk, and calls until he epted. He wanted to get it over with quickly, but unfortunately, the first shoot was with The Dawn. Ah, so annoying. PD Kim Heeyeon had strictly told him not to show his fanboy side during the shooting, but getting an autograph should be fine, right? He pouted, wishing to quickly finish The Dawns shoot and maybe bump into High Five. Hello? Hello, please take care of me! However, all those thoughts flew out the window the moment The Dawn stepped in. Wow, are they even human? Having seen many celebrities working at the broadcasting station, the idols he encountered up close seemed so unreal, it was hard to believe they were of the same species. He had heard they were popr these days. Seeing their long limbs and faces that could put actors to shame, he understood why. Idol life isnt for just anyone However, as an AD who frequently heard stories about the tyranny within the entertainment industry, he tried his best to stay alert to avoid causing trouble. Despite merely sitting still with expressionless faces, Seo Hoyun, Kim Seonghyeon, and Kang Ichae looked intimidating. After greeting the staff, the members gathered in the middle of the practice room and started their discussion. Lets listen to Lea Purple-sunbaes song first before we start. Alright. I get this Feeling, you may see me as a frivolous person, But youre already attracted to me. Lea Purple had be famous for climbing back up the charts recently and was actively participating on variety shows, but as someone with no knowledge of idol songs, the AD couldnt recall ever hearing this song. It meant that it was likely a song unknown to the public as well. Is it somewhat sexy, cutesy? Yet, it was strange. Why did they put a female idol song in the first ce? Of course, it could have been put in for another idol to pick. However, if the person ended up picking it by mistake, it would be a total mess. In the end, The Dawn ended up choosing the note they had inserted themselves. Then, wouldnt it have been better to just pick something safe, like a male idol song, say, from ck Calls Kings? Why on earth this then? It was a dangerously sexy, cutesy concept that pulled at the soul. You can mistake me for an easy girl, We have plenty of time, touch me slowly, Easy tempo one and two. The lyrics were such that they made one wonder if its obscurity was due to its infeasibility in todays context, purporting an intent to look pretty for you, feigning innocence, acting coy, but in any case, suggesting you would end uping to me. It wasnt just the youngest AD who thought this way. The eyes of the staff who had been in the industry for a long time also wavered. Dont rush, easy tempo one and two, Donte hurriedly without certainty. This? In Shining Star? By a male idol? In the first round? Skirting around scandals only to do a Lea Purple song? Thinking about Lea Purples outfit at the time made it even more daunting. They had worn tight-fitting ck leather skinny jeans. Sounds good. Shall we go with this? Yes~! !! However, the actual members of The Dawn were utterly calm. Suddenly, the practice room door burst open, and someone came in. The awesome sunbae is here~! Why him again??? It was Joo Woosung, who was notoriously hard to meet. Contrary to his approachable and sorrowful image on TV, he was well-known for being prickly and standoffish. Thus, thework had only thrown the mentor role at Woosung as a formality, recognizing him more as a face that asionally appeared on screen to boost ratings. Everyone seemed puzzled by the unexpected guests arrival, but Seo Hoyun reacted nonchntly. Want something to drink? Do you think youre a shuttle, sunbae? If you dont want a drink, just turn around and leave. Seo Hoyun, you know what? What? Im not even mad anymore.
For additional chapters, swing by our Patreon and join the club! Love the series? Share your thoughts on Novel Updates by rating and reviewing it now! Chapter 154 Chapter 154 Is this what bing an adult is all about? What are you talking about? No way, are they really close? Though they appeared together on variety shows and rumors of their friendship were widespread, most industry insiders thought their rtionship was purely business. And why wouldnt they, especially since this was Joo Woosung they were talking about. Look at the atmosphere, he truly is the celebrity of celebrities Rumors abound that, except for ck Calls lead vocal Chae Jeongwoo, Joo Woosung was distant with everyone else, so what about his rtionship with other industry contacts? Seo Hoyun would have snorted had he known. After all, except for work, Joo Woosung hardly ever left his home and was known as a cat-loving homebody. Ah! Woosung-sunbae, hello. Uh-huh~, Jiwon, hi. However, the AD saw apletely different side than what had been rumored. He even remembered the names of other members of The Dawn. Seong Jiwon even greeted Joo Woosung with a slight smile, without a hint of difort. The staff members whispered among themselves after witnessing the whole scene. Mr. Joo Woosung, is it mentor filming day today? No? Why did Ie here? Is your agency Daepaseong Entertainment or what? What kind of nonsense is that?? Even though it wasnt his active period and he was off-schedule, was it really okay for a renowned idol to just show up at a different agency and hang out? Or was it a case of mimunication? But there was a notification about todays practice session. What now? Then, why had hee to The Dawn? Shouldnt you be visiting High Five? Arent you afraid of getting chewed out for visiting your hoobae on their shooting day? But wouldnt you get k foring to The Dawn anyway? Though they couldnt voice it out, numerous questions bubbled among the staff. The only one genuinely delighted by Joo Woosungs arrival was the writer, who once was an enthusiastic fan of ck Call. Its so dazzling, its like Im getting Lasik Meanwhile, Woosung sat down on the couch in Daepaseong Entertainments practice room as if it were his own home, cracking a gentle smile as he sipped on the ion drink Seonghyeon brought him. Shall we start then? Wow! Being an idol might seem morous from the outside, but it required not just natural talent but also grueling practice and effort! The AD was thrilled at the prospect of witnessing this firsthand. How professional can it get? Squeak, squeak! Just when The Dawn started their practice, the AD gazed at them with sparkling eyes for a moment, Ah! Why isnt this working, what the heck!! The AD gazed nkly at the practice room. Im doing it. Is that how you do it? Be cute and sexy but still cool,e on!! I am being cute and sexy and cool. Look in the mirror. It started off not so badly. Even when Joo Woosung was going through The Dawn members one by one to correct their posture, it was still okay despite a bit of roughness. But when it was Seo Hoyuns turn, it felt like all previous criticisms were just a taste of what was toe as he was thoroughly scolded. Haah Seo Hoyuns jaw trembled slightly, possibly holding back because the cameras were rolling. Haah? Haah?? Are you sighing now? I should be the one sighing. Why cant you do this? Am I not allowed to breathe as I wish? Yeah. Joo Woosung, seemingly having ditched any filter he might have had with PD Kim Heeyeon, smirked every time, while Seo Hoyun checked if the camera was rolling and clenched his fist in response. Sunbae, please give advice so even a fool could understand, yes? Just do it. Is he here to help or to make things worse? Woosung was lively as a fish in water, thoroughly going through Hoyun. Even the youngest member, Jeong Dajun, got caught in the crossfire and was rigorously critiqued. Dajun, snap out of it Oh, uh yes His soul seemed to have left his body. Hoyun, if youre not born with it, you need to make up for it with effort. As Seo Hoyun responded with only his eyebrows twitching under the barrage of undeniable truths, Joo Woosung finally stood up, ran his fingers through his hair, and assumed the position. Look. Counting the beats out loud, one, two, three, he smoothly transitioned from a wave to a hip thrust to a wink, ending with a blown kiss with ease. Got it? I got it!! Sunbae!! I dont I dont get it The intended recipient was utterly unmoved, but Kim Seonghyeons eyes moistened at the sight. Joo Woosung flopped back onto the sofa, crossing his legs and lifting the corners of his mouth as he looked at Seo Hoyun. What are you doing? Get moving. Without a word, Seo Hoyun heaved a deep sigh and sluggishly got up. And against the backdrop of Joo Woosungs nagging, he practiced in 0.1-second increments. Wait, let me change the tape before we do individual interviews! Ah, yes! After about three repetitions of Joo Woosungs criticisms and Seo Hoyuns sighs, they moved on to prepare for the interviews. PD Kim Heeyeon judged that they had captured enough practice footage for the show. Even in exhaustion, they bowed politely to the staff members on asion and continued practicing relentlessly. Amazing, really. Only those who went this far could be idols. It wasnt until the announcement that individual interview filming was about to begin that they finally stopped moving. Lets start with Jeong Dajun! We have plenty of time, so please prepare at your leisure! Yes, sir! Everyone quickly tidied up their clothing, faces, and hairstyles. Except for Jeong Dajun, who stepped in front of the camera first, the rest of the members sought refuge out of the cameras view, with Seo Hoyun and Seong Jiwon checking something on their phones. It makes you lose your appetite and vomit but its okay, I can handle it! Ah, ahaha? Bubbly and nice. Perhaps because he was the maknae, Jeong Dajuns interview was lively from start to finish. Next up, Seong Jiwon! At the staffs call, Seong Jiwon, who had been chatting with Seo Hoyun, got up and switched ces with Jeong Dajun. Shortly after, Seo Hoyun, who had been yfully squeezing or poking Jeong Dajuns cheeks outside the cameras view, quietly slipped out of the practice room. Jiwon, youre known as a practice bug, arent you? Ahaha, I still need more practice. Ill probably have to do more even after the shooting. While Seong Jiwons interview was in full swing, a delicious smell filled the practice room. Noticing that it wasnt just him, other staff members also sniffed the air. They had been on a tight schedule since morning and hadnt had a chance to eat. The AD, looking for the source of the smell, spotted Seo Hoyun near the door, hands full of stic bags. Huh? As the staff noticed, Seo Hoyun carefully started to speak, trying not to interrupt. Sorry for interrupting the shooting. Um, I heard some of you havent had a meal yet. ? If you dont mind, please have some. What? No, how could you Between the staffs cheers, Seo Hoyunsughter could be heard. What the?? Why is he so thoughtful? Receiving the stic bags from Seo Hoyun, The Dawn members each handed out premium lunch boxes and drinks with deep bows. Wow~, thank you!! Enjoy your meal. Wow, awesome. The lunch box looks super fancy. Okay, those who have individual interviews scheduled next should eatter, and the rest can eat now. Okay? PD Kim Heeyeon quickly managed the unexpected situation, and everyone nodded while still unable to take their eyes off the lunch boxes. Kim Seonghyeons interview followed. After some light conversation, he was asked the question that had been posed to all members. How do you feel about the uing firstpetition? Ah, yes. Kim Seonghyeon pondered briefly. Our debut title song didnt receive much love. So, we had a long hiatus, and there was a lot of anxiety about the future. Kim Seonghyeons eyes, as he stared into the camera, were as sincere as his character. Wow, truly a beneficiary of Shining Star Season 1. Even though we are receiving more love than we deserve now, in the process, I had to reflect on myself countless times and mull over various things. His speech and appearance looked good on camera. This scene might turn out pretty well, thought the AD, when suddenly the mood was shattered. But, of course, we aim to work even harder Hey!! Thats not how you do it!! Joo Woosungs Spartan training was starting again in the background. They seemed to be trying to keep it down, but their voices were still picked up by the audio. As the interview proceeded, Kim Seonghyeon exchanged nces with the AD and took a slight deep breath before opening his mouth again. With that kind of sentiment in mind, we chose the song If you keep on clicking away, why dont you just grab a hammer, huh? thats why Should I really grab a hammer then?? Click-ck, click-ck?! Yeah! Just grab it and go on stage! In the corner of the practice room, Joo Woosung and Seo Hoyun were now openly bickering. Watching them, Kim Seonghyeons eyshes fluttered slightly before his expression rxed like someone who had achieved enlightenment. Sigh Well, weve got enough for the interview, so its fine. Thatll do for now. The AD, who had involuntarily tasted the woes of being a leader, hastily called for the next member. Lets interview Seo Hoyun! Finally, as thest participant, Seo Hoyun appeared on camera. Ha A sighden with irritation. As Hoyun furrowed his brows and swept back his hair, even the camera operator flinched slightly. Ah, sorry. However, upon seeing the AD, Hoyun immediately brightened with a smile. It got a bit noisy, didnt it. Ah, no, its okay. Did you have some of the lunch box earlier? Wow, he really has a good personality, doesnt he? The conversation flowed more warmly than expected. Before long, the AD let down his guard and began to chatter away. It was only after revealing that his cousin was a fan of High Five that he managed to regain hisposure and restart the interview. Is there a reason you chose a song by Lea Purple? Seo Hoyun seemed to ponder for a moment before smiling slightly at the camera. Because I like the song? It was an undeniably beautiful shot but But Seeing Joo Woosung, standing beside him, raise one corner of his mouth at Seo Hoyuns response, the AD felt a bit of dread. Just stop fighting with Woosung already At the same time, it strongly registered in the ADs mind that Joo Woosung and Seo Hoyun are the best of best friends. . . . Great work, everyone! Even after all the filming ended, we continued to practice. Joo Woosung stayed until dawn, meticulously checking everything from movements to facial expressions and gestures. Such a tough guy After several hours had passed with everyone sprawled on the floor, exhausted, Joo Woosung, still looking somewhat dissatisfied, grabbed his sports bag. Hey, Im taking a taxi home. Make sure you can do this by tomorrow when Ie. Uh-huh. Look at this guy, losing all manners as soon as the camera stops rolling. Joo Woosung clicked his tongue and stood up. Ah, also. You guys are smart. I wanted to add that it was obvious, but I was too drained to even speak, so I just lifted my eyes. To be honest, I was wondering why you chose a Lea Purple song, but now I see. Its going to work. Of course. Instead of answering, I just weakly waved my hand, and Joo Woosung snickered and left the practice room. See you tomorrow, Seo Hoyun. After that, the other members left to shower, and Iy spread-eagled alone on the practice room floor, lights off. Ding! [Because you really like it?] What? [You wouldnt have chosen the song for just that reason, right?] Spot on. Feeling a bit of energy return after the break, I moved my arm to grab my phone and y a video. This stage might be a great opportunity not just for The Dawn whos worked hard but perhaps for Lea Purple as well. Would I really put myself at a disadvantage? The method, though, was a bit crappy. [Why did you choose it, then?] If youre curious, just wait. After scolding the system window that kept pestering me, it quietened down a bit, though it still grumbled. [But] That quiet was short-lived. The system window bothered me again. What now? [Joo Woosung I like him, but hes not exactly a nice person, is he? He seems basically uninterested in others.] So? I half-heartedly read the message, focusing more on my phone as the system window resized itself to block my view. [Arent you curious why he stayed up until dawn to help Seo Hoyun?] Is he my main scenario target? [No?] Then, thats that. [] Chapter 155 Chapter 155 Woahhh! When the worn-out modern office worker found out she had sessfully drawn a spot in the first round of thepetition, she was so happy that she kicked her feet into the air. Yeonhu, your noona is going!! As a fan of High Five, she headed to the filming location on the day of the shoot, her heart fluttering. Hey, has the traitor arrived? Hahaha, sorry! Laughing heartily at the entrance to thepetition venue, her friend, who had been a fan of High Five for only a brief momentas if dipping a toe in the water and calling it brothgreeted her. Having been tormented by reality for a while and distancing herself from fangirling, thinking she had escaped K-pop, she was suddenly smitten by The Dawns maknae and found herself running around the scene again. At least we got toe together again~. Keep me with you forever. So sick of this Ok. They coolly came to an agreement and entered thepetition venue. Even before it started, the heat was palpable against their skin. She tried to calm her fiercely pounding heart as she looked around, and then MC Ha Seoyeon appeared. Hello, Im Ha Seoyeon~. Wow, look at Ha Seoyeons actor vibe. Acting is top-notch!! As they couldnt take their eyes off Ha Seoyeon and whispered among themselves, the introduction quickly passed, and Bercy took the stage first. Oh!! Not bad~. Looking at the list, it was expected that the stage quality would be good due to the performers rich experience, and indeed, theposition was not only solid but also spectacr. Definitely better thanst season. They packed it with first-tier songs. Next, a song by ck Call, which they had tasted long ago, flowed out. The stage wasnt bad. However, it didnt quite appeal to the office worker or her friend. Thats something ck Call should do ck Call, with Chae Jeongwoo known as the god of K-pop, had a track record so impable that since their debut, mishaps could be counted on one hand. Their stage presence was undeniable, evidenced by the sheer impact of Joo Woosung simply walking out onto the stage. Its just an inferior version no matter what. It seemed like they thought performing well-known songs would be a good idea, but it was a big mistake. It was easy to get swallowed up by the original. Ugh, its hot, so hot. Guys~, its almost summer~. With a series of simrly intense songs continuing, the fiery stage effects hardly gave them a moments rest. Because of this, they felt like even their hair was burning every time the mes burst forth, prompting irritatedments. Meanwhile, her friend, the Nouel, lost interest to the extent that she sneakily took out a phone she had brought in to browse through onlinemunities. When is Dajuning out? While Bercy, Try, and TEW performed one after another, the office workers attention was wholly fixed on High Five. Then, The Dawn took the stage as the fourth performance. Hello! ?? As soon as they saw them, everyone at the venue was so surprised they couldnt close their mouths. Then, screams filled thepetition venue. Woahhh! Dressed in tight ck leather pants and fluttery silk ck shirts, each member had thin, sparkling body chains wrapped around their waists or slightly visible under their clothes, creating a variety of dazzling effects. No way, are they insane?? Moreover, Seo Hoyun had even tied a long velvet string around his neck like a choker in the shape of a ribbon. Im just gonna faint Moreover, Seong Jiwon wore a crown of delicate white flowers giving off a pure vibe, while Kang Ichae had a wet-look hairstyle with a few strands braided with beads. But the ultimate reason for the screams was. Shit!! Dancers Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun appeared wearing super, super, super cute cat-shaped headbands made of ck-painted metal!! This is it for today! Hey! Everyone, disband! Wow, shit. This is crazy Leather pants, body chains, and headbands. Faced with The Dawns deration of victory, the office worker felt apetitive fire ignite within her. Next to her, the Noeul, was going crazy, waving the light stick and screaming, having thrown all dignity to the wind. As Seong Jiwon bowed at 90 degrees and Seo Hoyun slightly adjusted Jiwons slightly disheveled flower crown, cheers erupted once again. Hello, we are The Dawn, the rising dawn! Wow, the cheer is no joke, right?! What stage have The Dawn prepared for today? Not the leader, but the maknae, Jeong Dajun, was the first to grab the mic with a bright smile. Today, weve prepared Easy Tempo by our sunbae, Lea Purple! Are you all ready to follow along with the tempo~? Seong Jiwon chimed in. Just the slight curl of his lips brightened the surroundings, and the soft-looking Jeong Dajun exchanged nces and smiles with him, creating an incredibly cute moment, even from the perspective of a fan of another group. Lets go!!! Even to hell!!!! Calm down Her friends excitement was unmatched. But Giving up on trying to calm her friend down, the High Five fan, the office worker, thought about the song The Dawn had chosen. Lea Purples Easy Tempo? A boy group covering a girl groups song did have its demand. But it was usually something done at an end-of-the-year stage or fan meetings. Even this song wasnt that famous. She only vaguely remembered that the outfits were quite revolutionary. Did they arrange it? Or is there some other trick up their sleeve? She didnt realize it as she racked her brain, but the fact that she was already a fan of another group yet was this invested and defensive was proof that The Dawn were shaking up the scene. Easy Tempo One and Two Easy Tempo One and Two The lights dimmed, and an unfamiliar melody began to y. Soon, the stage lit up again, and Jeong Dajun, sitting in a chair, leaned his head on Kim Seonghyeons shoulder as he started the introduction. Sitting next to you, I casually say, I feel a bit dizzy today. You seem to know already, slightly smiling. Please, Dajun Her friend, whose favorite was Jeong Dajun, wobbled as if feeling dizzy from the first verse. Seong Jiwon, who was sitting at the end of the table next to them, leaned slightly towards Dajun and chuckled. I get this Feeling, you see me as someone light-hearted, But youre already attracted to me. Wow, such confident vocals But Easy Tempo One and Two, dont rush without certainty. Seong Jiwon grabbed Seo Hoyuns right arm, spun him around, and they danced a paired-choreography together. Its okay to mistake me for an easy guy, Theres plenty of time, take your time to cherish me. Easy Tempo One and Two, dont hurry. Easy Tempo One and Two, dont act hastily. Are you crazy? Crazy? Hey!! Are you crazy?? Wow. Shaken and screamed at by her friend, the office worker re-evaluated. I thought the original lyrics were so-so. It was precarious. The slightly breathier voice, the sly squinting of the eyes, and the subtle smile seemed like an unparalleled masterpiece of teasing. Its providing a pretty good mood shift even for the tired audience after a series of intense songs. As she critically assessed The Dawns performance with the discerning eye of a K-pop veteran Dont subtly push and pull, Im different from the others youve met before. Kim Seonghyeon stepped forward, slipping his leather jacket halfway off. The body chain that draped from his neck to his chest shimmered, and his muscr arms flexed in a wave. Yeah, youre fucking different!!!! It was a thoroughly calcted move, but since many people liked it, it was ssic. I know its frustrating, but I said! Easy Tempo One and Two. His expression was lethal, his ears so red they looked like they would bleed if touched. Kraaaaaah!! The screams and frenzied shouts from the audience made High Fives fans feel a sense of crisis. These guys really want to seed, damn it! For a moment, she wondered if Kim Seonghyeons dance was a meticulously prepared part to make up for losing to some abs during the unit stage. Then, Kang Ichae took the center, slightly crinkling his nose cutely before starting her rap. Ah, dont look away, it makes me jealous. The rap fit the situation perfectly, chewy and exquisite. Dont you know that I push everyone aside and run straight to you? Baby, you are my one and only thrill. Next, Jeong Dajun walked in from the side, tapping his cat ear headband. The moment I saw you, I felt that you would change my everything. Then, under the blue lights tinged with pink, all members stopped, and only Seo Hoyun lifted his head. Pretend Im an easy guy, theres plenty of time. And with a wave, grabbed the ribbon around his neck Love me slowly. And pulled it loose. Uaaaaaaah!!!! Ah! Ah!! Damn!! Is this why hes the only one with a ribbon?! The fans might not know, but all of this was thanks to Joo Woosungs meticulous nagging. Grinding his teeth tightly, Seo Hoyun had awakened to the ability to break down his movements into 0.1-second intervals, setting his x-y-z coordinates and endlessly calcting where to ce his body, allowing him to perfectly execute todays performance. Arghhh!! Licking his red lower lip, Hoyuns eyes sparkled. Easy Tempo One and Two, dont hurry. Easy Tempo One and Two, donte on too strong, okay? As Seo Hoyun spun his body and once again matched the paired choreography with Seong Jiwon, the triangr light sticks in the audience shook even more violently. How could the Noeuls not get excited when someone like Seo Hoyun, who seemed to master everything, was asking to be loved as an easy man? Rabbit!!! I wanna go fast!!!! These guys are really, really, really possessed by evil They were the kind who knew what worked in the market. The office worker who was a fan of High Five let out a sigh that sounded almost like a gasp, dizzy with anticipation for the uing My Baby performance. At that moment, Seong Jiwons high note exploded. No, Please I cant stop! !! I thought he was following Chae Jeongwoo, but this is just on Jeongwoos level? Chills ran all over her body. Everyones mouth was agape, looking up when Kang Ichae cut through the song. No Easy Tempo, the rhythm keeps getting tangled. It was a rap freshly added for this stage. Throwing away all pretenses, I want to go beyond with you, My heart is burning ck. Desire and affection were mixed in Kang Ichaes eyes, which seemed to pierce through the screen, and the rap continued in a tone one notch lower as if chewing the words. Take My Tempo One and Two, I want to consume all of you. Most of the Noeuls were almost fainting. This stage solidified the reason he took first ce with an overwhelming number of votes as a solo rap unit. Ddu du ru ru Ddu du ru ru ru. Damn The stage waspleted after calcting everything from the outfit coordination, the bnce of members abilities, to how to act ording to the lyrics. Easy Tempo One and Two, dont hurry, Easy Tempo One and Two, take your time to cherish. It was a stage that couldnt possibly fail. The Dawns breath was rough after finishing wlessly. Pollen fluttered down over the members heads, visible through the screen. Easy Tempo Wow. For a moment, Hoyuns face, slightly reddened on the cheeks, was captured on the screen, and the office worker mumbled unknowingly, Wow. Hes really handsome. Even a die-hard fan of another group would say this much, so one could imagine how her Noeul friend beside her would see him without having to say it. Hey, hey, is this a dream? If I faint, please put me in a taxi. Watch High Five. She firmly held her staggering friends hand and spoke sharply. Even fans of other groups seemed slightly enchanted as she looked around. This cant be real Its like a dream. She saw her friend sping her hands tightly in deep emotion, a calm face but tearful eyes, while inside, she felt a sense of defeat. Theyre hell-bent on seeding. This is dangerous. Indeed, private SNS ounts, hard to prevent leaks from, were already buzzing with crazy reactions from the scene. [I just want to be buried here with Seo Hoyuns ribbon] [Seriously, if they werent idols, these bastards wouldnt know shit about this stuff, its so fucking good] [Thank you!!! Really, thank you!!!! Who nned this??? Come out, Ill bow to you!!!!] It was Lee Jihyeon. [The lyrics Kang Ichae added to his rap are insane He really knows what his fans eat up] The Dawn, theyre really smart. The office worker looked at the voting device in her hand. Wow, I really cant guess how the live vote will turn out. It was definitely apetition, with groups that had built up years of experience participating and various fandoms gathering desperately. The previous groups, being conscious of that, seemed to have prepared powerful male idol songs for the stage. That The Dawn was the only one to take a different route The one firm thought in her tangled mind was just that. This is, damn, big trouble It was very, very dangerous. Chapter 156 Chapter 156 Good work, everyone~. Yep! Good work. After the performance, The Dawn returned to the dressing room and guzzled some water. I finished off a bottle of water as well, plunked it on the table, and then flopped down on the sofa. The costume manager, who had approached unnoticed, was holding the velvet ribbon I had brought and tying it back into a bow when Kang Ichae poked me teasingly. Such an easy guy~. Untie the ribbon once more, please~. Is once enough? As I teased back with a sly tone, Kang Ichae let out a snicker. Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon, who had been scolded for trying to remove their cumbersome flower crowns and headbands, had to fix their outfits again, while Jeong Dajun roamed around nonchntly. Hyung, hyung! When do we get to show off our abs?? Jeong Dajun, stop hanging out with Kang Ichae. The maknae was bing more and more like Kang Ichae. Kim Seonghyeon looked at Jeong Dajun, who was sticking close and teasing him, with a look of disgust. Whoa?! The High Five-sunbae are starting! Aware of the camera following us for our reactions, the members quickly gathered around. This team was also known for their hit songs. We go High We go High! Is this a track by the ck Call-sunbaes? How did they end up choosing that one? This song, a B-side track by ck Call, was popr despite never being promoted, and a dance video was uploaded on YouTube as fan service. Clearly, Try had chosen it, but High Five had snatched it away. Perhaps the meme of a roon washing cotton candy will make it into the edit? I overheard the staff casually mentioning that Joo Woosung had also given advice to High Five, but it was so cursory andcking in content that it would probably be entirely cut out. Are you ready now? Its time for me to leap. Despite that, High Five soared remarkably. Is it a pilot concept? Seems like it. With an airline pilot concept, their uniforms were perfect for fandom hype, and as expected from a group from a major agency, the bnce of skills among the members was exceptional. With a solid fandom and ample financial backing, being from the same agency as ck Call, there would be many others besides Joo Woosung to offer them advice. These guys could have pulled off a fiery performance with any song they chose. Im jealous. Especially the leader, Kang Yeonhu, caught my eye. Putting aside my initial impression of him as somewhat shady, his vocals were surprisingly good. Seong Jiwon intently watched the monitoring screen. If youre scared, dont ride, just watch my move. Theyre doing well. It seemed it wasnt a lie to call them the next generation representative idols. The previous three groups also had excellent performances. But High Five was on another level. If The Dawn had gone for a simr concept We wouldve been buried. Crushed, sandwiched from above and below. No matter how good our skills were, we were at a disadvantage, whether it was the agency, backing, or capital. One mustpensate for what theyck with something else. We go High We go High Well check the rankings soon! At the staffs words, Jeong Dajun sped his hands tightly. Not that any group here hadnt worked hard, but under Joo Woosungs guidance, we had practiced until we were practically throwing up, so a hint of expectation flickered on the members faces. Meanwhile, I was preupied with other thoughts. Only onsite and expert votes are counted? After the face-off, that is, before we chose our firstpetition song, I sought out Lee Jihyeon. Despite the intense workload, her face was glowing, probably because a troublesome issue had been neatly resolved. She tilted her head and said, That would be difficult. The Dawn cant win with just poprity. Right, thats what worries me. Then dont push too hard for the firstpetition. Or do something sopelling that people cant help but vote. Does such a thing even exist? As I asked half-heartedly, Lee Jihyeon clicked her tongue and exined, Tsk, tsk, Seo Hoyun. Youre still a bit nave. Go get ready and steel yourself. For a former PD, it was a bit humiliating to hear such things. Well, in the end, Lee Jihyeon was right. Because the onsite reaction was tremendous. Although at that time, Lee Jihyeon did say that it might cause a bit of a scandal. No. That was not something to worry about. Hyung! The rankings are out! The proof would be in the reactionter. Starting from third ce!! While Jeong Dajun was making a fuss, I opened a new bottle of water. The monitor disyed the shiny Shining Star logo. Third ce, TEW! TEW! Audience votes 3,100 points! Expert votes 1,000 points! For a total of 4,100 points! As expected Next. Well announce fourth and fifth ce! Given that Kim Seonghyeon had predicted our ranking to be fifth, everyone tensed up. We didnt expect to be fourth or fifth. Fourth ce, Bercy! A scream came from the next dressing room. Fifth ce, Try! That was okay too. Huh? I was the only one who remained calm here. The announcement for third to fifth ces had ended. Only first and second ces are left The members expressions gradually turned to astonishment. In that moment, a short edited clip of High Five and our stage alternated on the screen. What, whats happening? The first ce goes to!! Jeong Dajuns grip tightened around my sleeve. The camera staff in front focused intensively on Dajun, whose reaction was notably vibrant. With 4,200 points from audience votes and 1,200 points from expert votes, totaling 5,400 points, congrattions to High Five!! The members remained quiet, as if the result hadnt fully registered in their minds yet. Then, a small exmation burst from Dajuns lips. Wow. Automatically, The Dawns ranking is second ce. Great job! Second ce. The same rank The Dawn achieved in the firstpetition. This is huge!! And with that, he sprang to his feet. See. This ranking proved the good reception to our performance. We hadnt set our sights away from first ce, but we knew it would be tough. Audience votes were allotted two per person, and ording to the rules, one couldnt cast both votes for the same group. It meant that one had to vote for another group beside their own, which worked greatly in our favor, especially since High Five, having dazzledst, followed apletely different path from us. There wasnt much of a strategic pick. But perhaps, considering that The Dawn was expected to rank fifth, acency might have yed a significant part in our favor. Wow~~!! We did it, second ce~!! Whether High Five came first or not, the thrilled members began circling up for a round of ganggangsue, with even the calm andposed Seong Jiwon joining in.[1] Hey, lets go. It was about time to head to the stage for the greetings. Yeah, lets go! Jiwon, still dazed, patted Kim Seonghyeon on the back as they left the waiting room. As we passed by backstage, I noticed TEW, who had ced third, ncing over. Especially TEWs vocal, he didnt seem too pleased. Dajun nced at him before uncharacteristically turning his head away with a snooty flick. I kept an eye on the situation, smiling outwardly as we greeted each other. Good work. Yes, good work. Congrattions! The cameras were rolling. Naturally, the members of TEW paused to look at us before offering their congrattions. Being from an agency as big as ck Calls WH, TEW had a sizable fandom and poprity but ended up being outperformed by us today, despite their expectations of ranking simrly to High Five. second ce Lea PurpleThe Dawn As they walked past, I caught snippets of their murmured conversations along with heavy sighs. Hmm. Seeing our maknae, whose face hardly rested, looking at TEW as they walked ahead expressionless, I brushed my lips with my fingers. Was it because he seemed to be unting his worth? No, it was to hide a satisfied smile It seemed iprehensible to them that we, the ones they thought would rankst and be buried in obscurity, had secured a high position with a song that failed to even make an impression. Watching them forcibly smile in front of the camera with twisted expressions was amusing. Interesting. Kim Seonghyeon, lets go up. Ah, okay. I had kept the promise I made to Kim Seonghyeon when we selected the song. But why do you look so satisfied? We got second ce. Thats true! However, Seonghyeon, who could never guess my real thoughts, simply walked ahead with a face brightened by our high ranking. I matched his stride, making sure not to fall too far behind as we ascended to the stage. Unlike the ecstatic members, I was excited about what the future held. Bang! At that moment, fireworks exploded, and confetti fluttered down. It was for High Five, who had won first ce in the first round of thepetition. And then I locked eyes with Kang Yeonhu at the center of it all. I was slightly amazed. Wow The message in his eyes was not merely a jealous guard filled with resentment, seeing someone deemed lesser achieving a higher rank. It was a pure sharp warning from apetitor. Oh, this is a bit different, isnt it? But even that disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving behind only an idol-like sparkling smile. I smiled back and took the members back down to the waiting room. Good work, lets head back. Yap yap~. Jeong Dajun hopped next to me and started chatting. Hoyun-hyung, you know. Hmm? We really, really, really worked hard! Im happy because it seems like others recognized that! His cheeks, still chubby with baby fat, were flushed with excitement. Are you that happy? Yes!! We had proven our skills and achieved good results during the blind test, but given our lower poprity, we were significantly behind in the preliminary voting and ended upst, so this oue was even more satisfying. Of course, who knows what will happen next time. But well still do our best. Hard work will surely pay off! No? C-Could it be that we might not win first ce? Dajun finished his sentence and then btedly nced at me, as if suddenly second-guessing himself. Well, yeah. That I might have been too excited and said something a bit dream-like. And I wasnt too pleased with that. Jeong Dajun,e here. ? It felt like I had nurtured him with all my might, but was it still not enough? I smoothly untied the velvet ribbon and twirled it around Dajuns head, then tied it into a pretty bow. It matched well with his cat ears. ??? Phew. Dajun looked at me with a puzzled expression. Remembering my own twenties and still seeing Dajun as such a baby, I put my arm around his shoulder. What are you doing? Jeong Dajun, what are you talking about? Huh? Thinking it would be nice to post a photo of this on The Dawns official SNS channel, I poked his chubby cheeks. Im Seo Hoyun. And your point is? Dont you get it? I was someone who kept my word. Alright, Dajun, lets prepare your final thoughts. Dajuns eyes widened even more. Then he quickly covered his mouth with his hands, ribbon still tied, visibly moved. Im really feeling excited Getting worked up over something like this. I would be taking you on a rollercoaster ride to the very top spot of Shining Star. [1] Ganggangsue is a Korean folk dance where people, usually women, danced around by going in circles. Chapter 157 Chapter 157 Shining Star Season 2 Episode 1 Air Date. [Lets make The Dawn number 1, number 1, number 1] [Guys, do we really have to do this? But Ive already recruited all the phones around me to start the game] The Noeuls were already in full battle mode, both in body and spirit. Especially since there were loads of posts raving about how The Dawn absolutely killed it on stage during the secondpetition, everyones expectations were sky-high. Finally, after countlessmercials, the Shining Star Season 2 logo appeared followed by a recap of Season 1s storyline. [We discover Shining Stars no matter what.] This caption enraged all the fans. [Did you actually find them, you fucking bastards starting shit again] [Are the producers out of their minds?] [But I cant hate on Heeyeon-unnie, fell in love with her during the production presentation, want to be entangled with unnie in the messiest, dirtiest way Are you sane, Heeyeon-unnie is known as the crazy bitch of this area Thats what drives me crazy Yeah, be happy] Among them, High Five fans were particrly disgusted. [This is so pissing off, why do our kids have to show up here?] [Its the tyranny of the broadcasting station, lol, the agency doesnt stop them, what are they even doing] A must for a happy SNS life. Block. The fandoms had already blocked most of the minefield words, and even if they saw them, they quickly scrolled past, turning a blind eye to avoid unnecessary disputes. [OMG, is that Joo Woosung??] [Han Chaeri?!!] [Holy shit, and Ha Seoyeon?!?!! OMG, love it, how did you know I love Seoyeon-unnie] With the appearance of the next-generation actor as the MC and idols famous enough to be known to everyone except 1% of Koreans as mentors, even the public took interest. Amidst various expectations, Shining Star Season 2 began. Shining Star Season 2, starts now! The opening and early part of the episode focused on The Dawn, the winners of Season 1 and participants in Season 2. The video highlighted the tight teamwork that heated up Season 1, apanied by the touching melody of a piano. The Dawn was actually on the verge of disbanding. The results werent good. Everyone thought it was inevitable, and we were grateful for how far wede. I just believed in my hyungs and followed them! We did it because it was fun. Life with the members was fun, and the fans liked it. To those who believed in me, I owe a debt I can never repay Thats what I think. Of course, we have to do well. [OMG dont start making me cry, fuck, Im actually crying] [Ah,st years memories are shing by. It was so proud and hard back then] Thest episode of Season 1, which brought about the creation of Kismet but ended without any further activities, was a proud yet heartbreaking topic among the Noeuls. Especially for Kim Seonghyeons individual fans. [Id stan Seonghyeon even in death] [Love God Seonghyeon to the grave] However, the broadcast itself wasnt all solemn. Getting a good start was crucial for the ratings. And veteran PD Kim Heeyeon knew this all too well. She cleverly ced a scene with apletely opposite mood right after the melodramatic and stirring elements to spark more interest from the viewers. Those touching moments Waaaaaah! Dont, dont pull me!! It started with Jeong Dajuns scream. Everyone was bewildered by the content that told them to carry out a mission in a haunted broadcasting station, not in summer, but in the dead of winter. [?????] [Lol, is this how you start a meeting? ] The sight of them squealing and trembling in fear was pitiable, but for the fans, it was nice to see a different side of their beloveds. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so just as everyone was deeply engrossed in the broadcast, The Dawn made their official entrance. Then, Hoyun-hyung and Jiwon-hyung should go!! Those two didnt even blink an eye! Even Ichae-hyung shivered! [] [Jeong Dajun (now an adult) casually selling out his members] The part where Jeong Dajun quickly nominated his hyungs had the Noeuls bursting intoughter. The production team did not intend to cause any disputes Its a misunderstanding Though the segment wasnt long, the impact was enormous. Even fans who were previously annoyed couldnt help but smile broadly. [Kim Seonghyeon sobbing while doing aegyo in front of a ghost, is this for real Someday hes gonna get a real shock What are you talking about More like a shock to me Lol] Then, the rest of The Dawn members monitoring Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun appeared. The Dawns lead vocal Seo Hoyun: The Dawns main vocal Seong Jiwon: ^^ (Sipping) The Dawns main rapper Kang Ichae: Wahahaha (Laughing till he copsed) They were enjoying their tea with star-shaped sunsses on and slices of cake by their side. [Ah, really these guys are so annoying I could die] [If I were part of Dancers (Seonghyeon/Dajun), Id leave the team and consult thepany to send a formalint right away] After barelypleting the mission and crawling back, Seo Hoyun nonchntly snatched away a note without offering anyfort to Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun. [OMG] [Must be about the song] In the blink of an eye, posts were flooding Twitter. [Whoa, it was a choice? Was there just a close-up??] [Humble Confession and Say You Love Me Did you capture that moment, thank you thank you] [Ah, this was in the trailer, it was Say You Love Me, right?] [Whoa, there were two options?? But why didnt they choose Humble Confession??] While everyone was flustered, Bercy then took on the mission. Bercys main vocal Serang: Wow! I really love Humble Confession! And as Humble Confession was chosen, the crowds response turned icy. [Ah Looks like they chose first] [Doesnt seem like they gambled with the song selection, more like they gave it up] [Ah] Apparently, since Bercy had been around longer than The Dawn, there were rumors that the junior group gave up the song out of respect. [Ah] [shit] [Choosing Humble Confession? Isnt that a bit off?? This song wasposed by Kang Ichae, sung by Seong Jiwon, and even featured Seo Hoyun in the drama They justpletely yed with this song] [Mustve really wanted it] In reality, it was not the case at all. [Seriously, looking at the broadcast cuts, its obvious its nothing special but theyre making such a big deal; if anything, were the ones getting the short end of the stick] Because the details behind the song selection werent disclosed, Bercys fans also felt unfairly treated. However, in the end, since it was Bercy who performed Humble Confession, such opinions quickly faded away. [Whoa, the face-off is starting!] After each groups song selection waspleted, the face-off stage was presented. It seemed important to lift the atmosphere with lively music first, as dance units appeared on screen with tense expressions. Lets do well us. Yes!! Aaaaaah!! Tissue! Tissue!! In the meantime, Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun couldnt stay still for a moment, stretching or gulping down water repeatedly. Then, seeing Jeong Dajun identally spill water on his chin, Kim Seonghyeon quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe it off. [Look at Jeong Dajun spilling water on his chin because hes nervous Seonghyeon immediately brings a tissue with his eyes shaking, ah so cute ] [ Is this childcare or are they colleagues ] Due to focusing the storyline early on, The Dawns dance units screen time felt like a mere 3 seconds. Yet, the fans felt warm-hearted. [Yeah, were going to be the overall first anyway~] [Title: But Seonghyeon, he dances so well its insane. Im originally from the camp that idols just need to be handsome, its okay if theyck skills because if theyre handsome, its only embarrassing on stage, the rest can be managed But this guy, even covered with a mask and hat, just naturally has this idol-like dance line, absolutely gorgeous Why does he dance so smoothly and effortlessly Seonghyeon was originally from a dance crew, wasnt he? Heard he was quite famous. Is there a video? How did I not know, please give me the link Yes, yes /watch?v=ChumS1n?_ChuMWang Ah shit Kim Seonghyeons fresh, tender face, whats with that, I burst outughing off guard The babys face though I think Joo Woosung is the number one dancer among idols but Im looking forward to Kim Seonghyeon more ? Please lets not indulge in this kind of talk, Seonghyeons attractiveness is seriously off the charts, just move along] Then came the singing units. [^^ Yeah, whatever~] [ Yeah^^] [Jiwon, show us how its done] Even as Bercy rehearsed Humble Confession, the Noeuls were utterly rxed. Following them, Seo Hoyun and Seong Jiwon appeared, being the best vocalbination. [Vocal angels vs. best personality Ah best personality is hrious, are they really besties? That what makes them lovable, its all good] [Well, The Dawns vocals were okay. Their harmony? Wasnt bad either. (A puppy leaning against a window, shedding tears meme) Seems like you were more moved than the words suggest ] [Its good they didnt go with Humble Confession Fans got to hear a new song] It was all ording to Seo Hoyuns calctions. Finally, as if to cap it all off, High Fives main vocal and leader appeared. They endlessly checked the lyrics and exchanged opinions on gestures backstage. It feels a bit burdensome, but I want to do better. For the fans. Even seeing Kang Yeonhus shy smile in response to the staffs question, The Dawns fans remained unimpressed. [If youre pressured, dont show up Wow, this kind of talk is only possible in private ounts Its possible in public ounts too Real Seo Hoyun fans right there] In Shining Star Season 2, High Five was considered out of ce, and as much as High Fives fans were dissatisfied, fans of other groups were also worried their idols might be overshadowed. [] [ Crazy] However, as High Fives song began, everyone had to stop typing furiously on their keyboards. [Theyre good] Solid skills. Excellent sense. Despite the short preparation time, the stage was dazzling. [Wow?? So, this is why theyre popr?] [Annoying] This was why Seo Hoyun had hoped there would be at least one bad guy in High Five. Eventually, The Dawn took first ce, and the sight of them bowing deeply to the groups on either side, including the audience, was shown. [Look at them bowing to their seniors Ah, our babies are so polite ] Seizing this opportunity, the Noeuls made efforts through several official ounts to frame The Dawn as polite, even quickly sharing memes on Twitter. Meanwhile, the program took amercial break before moving on. Right away, it was the rap unit that no one knew anything about, except for the fact that Kang Ichae clinched 1st ce. [Ah, Ichae?? Im looking forward to this] [Ichae must have done well] For Noeul, who had seen The Dawns self-produced content, this was an expected reaction. After all, he was amiable enough to survive on a deserted ind by befriending monkeys, not to mention his genius had been proven several times through The Dawns songs. [????] Since the participating groups of Shining Star, except for The Dawn, consisted of at least six members, Kang Ichae was alone in the waiting room. What surprised Noeul was [Crazy] [Why so quiet] It was the silent Kang Ichae. They expected him tofortably chat with the staff on his own while looking around leisurely. [AAAAAH It breaks my heart to see Kang Ichae sitting all alone] [Hes usually the life of the party in busy ces. This is too awkward Ichae ] Ichae was busy scribbling something on a piece of paper, so his expression wasnt visible. The camera slowly zoomed in on him. [What Ichae holding was?] [???] In Kang Ichaes hands was a crumpled piece of paper, its edges almostpletely worn out, filled with rap lyrics. Ah Only then did Kang Ichae, noticing the camera, yfully squinted his eyes. However, he couldnt hide the momentary pause. Among fans, Kang Ichae was a genius. This was partly due to the image pushed by Daepaseong Entertainment, but his public appearances supported this too. His noticeably fewer parts in the dance practice videos or the articles that popped up every now and then about himpletingpositions in just a few days backed this up. Thus, seeing Kang Ichaes effort, which they had never seen anywhere before, SNS was engulfed in madness. [Kang!!!!! Ichae!!!!!!! Love!!!!!!! Him!!!!!!] [Kang Ichae practicing??? Here I thought hed honestly be gaming in the waiting room lol] [Are you kidding me? Why provoke me all of a sudden, you bastard?] An interview by a staff member who found his prey came right away. Q: Youre participating alone for the rap battle, how do you feel? Listening to the staffs question, Kang Ichae widened his eyes and shrugged. Its a bit awkward. I was always with the members. The staff quickly threw the next question. Q: Your paper was filled to the brim. At that, Kang Ichae looked down at the paper in his hand and stared at it nkly, unknowingly inciting the fans further. But soon enough, a sly smile appeared on his lips. I want to show a good image to the fans. [] [Ichaeaaaaa ] Then, with the song of the previous group as the background music, the screen shifted to Kang Ichae waiting backstage. Hmm. The expressionless side profile of Kang Ichae checking the opposing stage was shown. [Guys Im sorry to say this in this situation, but can I devour this irresistibly handsome Kang Ichae Please, Im begging (but me too, nibble nibble) Fuck, I dont want to say this kind of thing at times like this, but his side profile is just killer] [Wow shit, I didnt realize because hes always with The Dawn boys, but Kang Ichae alone is like this???? Ah, this ultimate bad boy look, how do I deal with it?] If Kang Ichae knew fans were writing such posts, he wouldve been chuckling with joy. But for now, he was just focused on the uing performance. Kang Ichae! Yes. Kang Ichae nodded at the staffs signal and flipped his caps hood over his head. He was ready. He quietly went up to the stage and waited for the staffs introduction. Soon the curtain fell, and he saw the audience sending cheers without knowing who he was. He slowly lifted the microphone. Hello there Screech Suddenly, the screeching sound of the microphone painfully rang in their ears. The audiences frowning faces appeared at the same time as Noeuls heart almost dropped, but Oops Kang Ichae just grinned softly. Dont be discouraged. Yet, his voice didnt seem discouraged at all. Scratching the back of his neck, Kang Ichae raised his hand. With that as the starting signal Its chasing time! The performance began. From then on, it was just Kang Ichaes time. His efforts seemed not in vain at all, as he quickly captivated the audience. Dont go low on me, push till the end, Feel the thrill I bring, bow your heads down. Even without mboyant stage effects or editing, it felt like a movie. You cant deny what you are feeling now. The highlight of episode 1 was the scene where all the audience, following Kang Ichaes hand gesture, waved their hands in unison. [Is this what it was Is this what it was about] [Are you crazy] Not only Noeul but other fandoms and general viewers who were watching the broadcast were left speechless by the performance. Eventually, along with the opening history of Shining Star Season 1 The Dawn, The Dawn Kang Ichae trended on SNS in real-time. [ Seriously, during the highlight part with Its chasing looks like he matched it to his own name, Ichae][1] [Wow, crazy guy So he made the audience follow along and chant his name] [The audience probably doesnt even realize;;; that theyre actually calling out Kang Ichaes name;;] As Kang Ichae poured all his energy into his performance, the Noeuls felt their hearts swell. [This is an emergency] [Am I crying right now?] [Hidden by his genius, the fact that he actually worked hard drives me insane] Thus, Kang Ichae received the highest number of votes. Ahaha After revealing his identity and announcing the rankings, Kang Ichae, feeling hot, stripped off his hoodie. Despite the drenched sweat marks on his short-sleeved shirt and his damp, faded grapefruit-colored hair sticking to his forehead, he still shone brilliantly. Instead of expressing his thoughts, he responded to the cheers by blowing kisses to the audience. Thanks, Bye! Then, with a bright smile, he bent down to give continuous high fives to the audience in the stands as he left the stage. [Damn cool, crazy] [If it were me, when the 1st ce popped up on the screen, would I say I got into Harvard? Thank you, likeying out a long speech, but this dude just smiles and heads in] [Going crazy for real, if you like Kang Ichaes style, you just go crazy for him] [Kang Ichaes star quality is freaking amazing, damn] For days, variousmunities were aze with discussions about Kang Ichaes limitless star quality. . . . Is Ichae-hyung really a genius? Meanwhile, watching the live broadcast together at the dorm, The Dawn looked at Kang Ichae with deep affection. Especially Jeong Dajun, who was so moved he even grabbed a tissue to blow his nose loudly. When did our little guy grow up like this?? Dajun has a really wide spectrum. So, are you epting me as a little guy too, hyung? Kang Ichae himself probably didnt give it much thought and wasnt nervous, but the members were deeply moved. Of course, I was the exception. Jeong Dajun, I get that your tear ducts are exploding, but stop it. Just stop. Sob sob Good grief. Although Kang Ichae was used to boasting about himself, receiving babying from the members felt awkward. Haah After trying to soothe Jeong Dajun a few times, he quickly gave up and sighed. Alright, Ill be honest. Sometimes I get sick of myself too Maybe Im afraid of my own talent? Yeah. Kim Seonghyeon, who had been looking at Kang Ichae as if he was looking at a great son, returned to his usual expression. Ah~!! Kang Ichae, how did youe up with those lyrics? Seemingly amused by the members exasperated looks, he became even more enthusiastic in his self-praise. Itchaeising~! Can someone shut him up? Dajun has given up. Ah, Im going first! Even Seong Jiwon quickly left Kang Ichae behind, and the members coldly exited the living room. Lacking energy and sprawled on the sofa, I too got up to return to my room when Kang Ichae scratched his head. Theyre not buying it. Stop trying so hard. Everyone knows youre a genius. Hm? What? Why? Uh Im not that great. I tilted my head, surprised by his unexpectedly firm response. Im just somewhat talented? The real genius is Composer Cheongbeom. Really, you think so? Yeah. What? Was Kang Ichae a deceiver? Squinting my eyes, I asked, Then what about other ordinary peoplespositions? Trash. Ahaha, just kidding. I think its just a matter of different tastes. Huh Really, was that a joke Kang Ichae had a pretty urate sense of self-awareness. So, this wasnt about low self-esteem, but just that Hmm. His standards were incredibly high. Thus, I couldnt deny Kang Ichae was a genius even more. Should I give him some support? I quietly approached Kang Ichae and gently tapped his shoulder. Ichae, you really are a genius. A genius who also works hard. Honestly, its reassuring to have you here. Blinking, Kang Ichae looked at me as I gave him a sincere and cool smile. Fall for it, Kang Ichae. Just like Lim Hyeonsu, I knew he was secretly weak topliments. However, Kang Ichae, who had been jesting until now, rolled his eyes and then, as if to show off, deeply sighed. Hyung. What? He then looked at me with a slightly pitiful gaze. Seriously, fix your habits And whats with that line? Would that even work on Joo Woosung-hyung or Composer Cheongbeom? Yeah Damn right it works, you little shit. [1] In Korean, Its chasing phically resembles , which happens to include Ichaes name, . Chapter 44 Chapter 44 ¡°What the heck¡­ Why is the editing like this all of a sudden?¡± The fans of The Dawn were utterly disgusted by the recently aired broadcast. [¡°It¡¯s true that they can¡¯t perform well.¡±] [¡®As Seonghyeon watched Today¡¯s stage, his face became more and more rigid¡­¡¯] [¡°Yes¡­ you worked hard.¡±] [¡®The words Seonghyeon said after watching Today¡¯s stage.¡¯] [¡°I¡­ don¡¯t really know.¡±] They turned on the broadcast to see the handsome faces of The Dawn, but the more they watched, the angrier they felt. The devil¡¯s editing. It was already well-known that tvK station was infamous for their devilish editing, so they were prepared for it. But even with the preparation¡­ this third episode seemed to be particrly aimed at destroying Kim Seonghyeon. ¡°That¡¯s a different outfit!¡± It was too extreme. ¡°What, they¡¯re piecing together every single line?¡± It was almost like they stitched together every single line. However, the editing was so skillful and natural that it was easy to be fooled by it unless you were a hardcore fan. In the broadcast that was deliberately edited to showcase malice towards Today, Kim Seonghyeon received enough hate and curses to give him immortality.[1] [What kind of hoobae¡¯s character is that? ????????] [Wow, Kim Seonghyeon ???? His school bullying personality is showing ?????] [Isn¡¯t this an exaggeration? He can¡¯t even read the situation and is acting like a fool in front of the whole nation, right?] [Why doesn¡¯t he just leave ????? I get annoyed whenever I see Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s face.] ¡°You guys are the foolish ones¡­¡± She blocked everyone, and she slowly posted updates on her SNS. Today was the day of their final showdown. Shining Star second roundpetition. ording to what she heard, it¡¯s a cover song contest. Please, please don¡¯t let it be Today. If it wasn¡¯t Today, they could somehow avoid this controversy. However, if they picked Today¡¯s song and made even the slightest mistake, Kim Seonghyeon would disintegrate into dust, if notpletely vanish into thin air. Guys, fighting. [Ahhhh, I finally got in ????] The Dawn¡¯s fan who finally got into the performance venue put away their slogan when they saw people around them. However, they still talked openly about the recent incidents on their private SNS ount. [There are two staff members today, but there are so many fans ?? Is this for real? Did the production team put this in to stir up fandom fights? If they were going to do that, they shouldn¡¯t have included such a controversial element. Even now, after Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s school bullying controversy erupted, opinions were divided among the fandom. However, she didn¡¯t back down. To be honest, she was skeptical, but since she had been a core fan of The Dawn since their very first song, she wanted to trust Kim Seonghyeon. And there was a reason for that: after performing on a rainy day, Kim Seonghyeon felt sorry for the fans who might be cold and bowed deeply to them, even buying canned coffee to share with them. There¡¯s not a single person I can trust¡­ Still, thinking about that time, she wanted to believe in Kim Seonghyeon until an urate exnation came out. After all, the victim of the controversy didn¡¯t directly post about it, and the details were vague. Thepany should respond quickly! It¡¯s so frustrating to deal with these small and medium-sized agencies. Daepaseong Entertainment was still keeping quiet. As the fans¡¯ outcry grew louder, the agency didn¡¯tmunicate with them and continued to post Shining Star promotions on SNS without regard. That¡¯s why Today¡¯s fans were even scarier. She cautiously looked around as she entered the venue. [@anajungbyeongwa, did you go in? How¡¯s the atmosphere?] [It¡¯s really tense ? I¡¯m so scared..] [What if the kids get disheartened ????? My babies ????] [I¡¯ll cheer them on with all my might ?] That¡¯s right; they couldn¡¯t lose now that they¡¯de this far. Today¡¯s fans were already ring at the fans who seemed to support The Dawn. Hey, our kids didn¡¯t do anything wrong! She wanted to say that but was too scared to open her mouth¡­ Especially in thest episode, the third one, whenever Today was on the air, Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s rotten expression, deliberately ignoring their words, and scenes of him disregarding Today were repeatedly shown. You could see the outfits were all different, but the production team jumped into devil¡¯s editing when they sensed Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s controversy brewing. Today¡¯s fans seemed ready to jeer at The Dawn when they appeared. ¡°My babies¡­¡± Tears streaming down her face, she waited for the stage to begin. She exchanged goods and talked with a few other The Dawn fans for a while, and then Yu Jia appeared. ¡°Hello, everyone! I¡¯m Yu Jia.¡± ¡°Unnie, you¡¯re so beautiful!¡± Yu Jia smiled. She indeed had the poprity of a nation¡¯s younger sister. While watching the stages of Nightmare and Refined, her mind was elsewhere, but she heard that thispetition was about singing cover songs. No way. Herst glimmer of hope shattered when Yu Jia cheerfully called out for The Dawn. ¡°Shall we call them? The Dawn, who covered Today¡¯s ¡®Make Love¡¯! Pleasee up!¡± ¡°Kyaaaaaaaa!¡± Shit! She screamed louder than anyone else, but cold sweat poured down her back. Why of all times! Amidst the intense conflict between The Dawn and Today, why did they have to cover Today¡¯s song?! Could this be a ploy by the production team? Even as a fan of The Dawn, it felt unfair, but Today¡¯s fans were colder than anyone at the scene. ¡°Today? The Dawn is covering Today¡¯s song?¡± ¡°Wow~, where is their conscience?¡± ¡°What do they want to do with this?¡± Amid themotion, The Dawn came on stage and bowed their heads. Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s expression was impassive. White outfit, grey pants underneath. Just as she was about to be disappointed by the surprisingly ordinary stage costume, Seong Jiwon, who was usually quiet, grabbed the mic and greeted the audience. ¡°Hello! We are The Dawn.¡± ¡®That¡¯s right, their faces are fitting¡­¡¯ ¡°Wow! Guys!¡± She screamed as enthusiastically as possible. The cheers were less than during the first round, and jeers could be heard in between. The Dawn has never been more unpopr than at this moment. From school bullying to targeting Today, and even the devil¡¯s editing¡­ Even if they weren¡¯t Today fans, the public¡¯s perception was biased. However, The Dawn members¡¯ faces were determined as if they didn¡¯t know about these issues. Guys, you still look great today¡­ It¡¯s alright because their faces were their character¡­ She looked at their increasingly sparkling faces and cried. Seong Jiwon also answered during the short interview that followed. ¡°So, how do you feel today?¡± ¡°We covered Today¡¯s ¡®Make Love¡¯ for our performance today. We may becking, but we prepared earnestly. Please enjoy our performance.¡± ¡°How shameless!¡± ¡°¡­¡± At that moment, the audience erupted with jeers. Seong Jiwon hesitated for a moment but calmly passed the microphone. It was obvious that his face had slightly hardened. No, our kids did nothing wrong! ¡°We love The Dawn even more!¡± This roar was the result of a die-hard fan¡¯s great pride. Ever since the beginning, she had shouted their love for The Dawn. Although the surrounding people were surprised, Kang Ichaeughed brightly. My friends, we should only have happy days¡­! The fans felt wronged. It wasn¡¯t even the kids¡¯ fault, yet they were being criticized for this situation. Seo Hoyun turned his head toward her when she was about to tear up. Is he looking here¡­? He lightly waved his hand. As if to say, don¡¯t worry. Hoyun¡­ While she was watching him with a tingling sensation in her nose, the bright stage lights dimmed, and The Dawn got into their positions. The audience was still buzzing, but when the intro to ¡°Make Love¡± began, it became as quiet as if it were a lie. ¡°Unbelievable¡­.¡± The melody peculiar to traditional instruments flowed out. It¡¯s oriental¡­! That¡¯s right! If they were an idol group, they should try the oriental style at least once!! ¡°Make Love¡± was a light love song, so they didn¡¯t know how they would connect the concept, but the new attempt itself was okay. At least it won¡¯t bepared with Today¡¯s performance, but the moment she decided to calm her mind¡­ Thud. In the dark stage, the spotlight turned on. Seong Jiwon, wearing a magnificent yet light blue robe, slowly walked out alone, leaving the other members behind. So that¡¯s why the inside was ordinary¡­! It was a delightful surprise while preventing spoilers. Even if the stage failed, the feeling of being able to get a picture of Seong Jiwon wearing a robe made her crazily shake her cheering slogan[2]. Seong Jiwon slowly touched the bamboo flowers set up on stage as he started the narration. ¡°I would be anxious if I were you too. To you, I am just a stranger.¡± He must be crazy¡­ his voice is amazing!! ¡°But please remember this one thing. No matter how many times it takes, even if it takes hundreds of times, I will fix everything.¡± It seemed like a statementden with significance, that somehow it was rted to their current situation. Furthermore, the newly added intro seemed to connect with The Dawn¡¯s first post-apocalyptic setting. As if Seong Jiwon was a returnee on this stage too. Don¡¯t tell me they¡­. All the stage lights went out, and the spotlight with the camera shone toward Seo Hoyun. Seo Hoyun, who had closed his eyes while in his original position, opened them. His face is insane! Heavenly. For a moment, she lost her mind, forgetting the seriousness of the situation, and stared. Then, Seo Hoyun shook his right hand and opened the fan. His delicate eyes were barely visible above it. ¡°When the passing wind turns my head, our eyes meet.¡± He turned his head, and his gaze met Seong Jiwon¡¯s. Then, he hid behind the fan. Jeong Dajun slowly walked over toward Seo Hoyun. ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve seen you somewhere before, but where? No, it¡¯s not important.¡± They added their own album concept to someone else¡¯s song?! The returnee and the one who recognized him, Seo Hoyun. The confrontation between the two was clearly the concept of The Dawn¡¯s previous single, ¡°Second Chance.¡± By simply putting this on a monotonous love song, they turned someone else¡¯s song into their own group¡¯s series. Insane¡­!! Seo Hoyun mmed the fan shut and stepped forward, the sound of the wind rustling. At this point, it was time for the lively tempo of the English lyrics toe out. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry.¡± But The Dawn. ¡°Because the answer is me.¡± They changed everything to Korean. Kim Seonghyeon smiled slightly as he picked up a cloth from the center, then passed without saying a word. The fan looked at him with a bitter taste in her mouth. Right, now we have no choice but to ept¡­. No matter how good a person he was, the controversy itself was too big right now. While biting her lips, The Dawn¡¯s stage became colorful and faint. At Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s ce, Jeong Dajun picked up a cloth, and raised his right hand as if looking at the clouds. ¡°When I see you, I feel like I¡¯m walking on distant clouds.¡± And as he dramatically lifted the robe and disappeared between the cloths, Seo Hoyun, who was behind, came into the camera¡¯s view, snapping his fan shut. ¡°Let¡¯s go back and see, us.¡± It was like a signal. Thud, thud, thud! The slow drum sounds gradually grew louder, elerating the beat. The gayageum¡¯s[3] sound rang out, and the fabric hanging in the middle fluttered fiercely in the wind. Something changed on the stage with Seo Hoyun¡¯s signal. And then¡­ ¡°Ahh!¡± Kim Seonghyeon took off the cloth he was wearing and threw it to the side, revealing himself alone in the center, holding a long sword. The fan¡¯s eyes widened. What?! They made Kim Seonghyeon the center?! He was the most controversial, and the thought was he¡¯d be hidden away, but The Dawn had Kim Seonghyeon stand in the center as if mocking such expectations. Kim Seonghyeon took a deep breath for a moment, not looking at the camera but standing at an angle. Seo Hoyun looked at him with downcast eyes, but the fans didn¡¯t notice. And then¡­ Boom! When the gayageum sounded again, Kim Seonghyeon stared at the camera with a determined look. Swish! The members pretended to aim arrows at Kim Seonghyeon on stage. At the same time, as Kim Seonghyeon grabbed and pulled the cloth, it bounced away as if it had been struck by an arrow. The image, which would have looked awkward if even 0.1 secondster, fit perfectly with the beat, like a scene from a movie. Her mouth dropped open. What¡¯s with this quality? However, this stage waspletely Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s show. ¡°Kyaah!¡± One of Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s fans beside her cried and waved their fan slogan. As Kim Seonghyeon swung his sword toward the flying silk, it brilliantly fluttered in the air. It seemed as if he was really shooting an arrow with his sword. He¡¯s the epitome of a hero¡­ The fan was speechless. At the same time as Kang Ichae released thest arrow, Kim Seonghyeon fell to his knees. However, his fierce eyes were caught on camera. ¡­ The fan somehow felt a sting in her heart without knowing any of his circumstances, as though his intensity and determination were clearly conveyed through his eyes alone. Seong Jiwon appeared before him, and when he lowered the silk, the two disappeared without a trace. The setting of the song ¡°Second Chance¡± was exactly like an apocalypse. While they were astonished, a shadow appeared on the stage, and Kang Ichaended gracefully underneath the stage by kicking the wire, just like a Taoist priest from an old movie. He fluttered his cloak and smiled slyly at the approaching camera. Chiing! The cymbals crashed, and the tempo of the performance paused perfectly. ¡°On the thin line of our fragile rtionship, we walk on the edge¡± These were the newly added historical drama-style lyrics! ¡°Kang Ichae!¡± Who arranged this song? Who made Kang Ichae look so cool?! The fan was on the verge of fainting. Kang Ichae continued to fly across the stage. ¡°Even if the line breaks, I¡¯ll tie it back together and twist it again and again.¡± As Kang Ichae quickly turned around and strode back, the other members of The Dawn surrounded him and lowered their heads, fanning themselves. Amidst the white fans, Kang Ichae looked just like a wise master. ¡°The result is already determined, right?¡± I¡¯m going crazy¡­ A genius idol is going crazy¡­ Seong Jiwon spun around behind Kang Ichae¡¯s back and appeared. ¡°You will remember me!¡± Seo Hoyun and Seong Jiwon harmonized together. Their voices were one octave higher than the original song but still clean and sharp. Goosebumps rose on her skin. The high notes were much richer and more dramatic than in the original song. Along with the sound of the gayageum, Jeong Dajun and Kim Seonghyeon stood up with the silk again. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry, because the answer is me.¡± The voices rose endlessly, and the silk spun around dizzyingly at the end, forming a line of trees. Kim Seonghyeon sang with a sorrowful expression in front of them. ¡°When I see you, I feel like I¡¯m clearing away distant clouds¡± The faint sound of the flute apanied the slow sound of blowing wind. Seo Hoyun moved in slow motion on the stage. The fallen silks on the floor were scattered like clouds. Everyone slowly raised their fans to cover their faces and bowed their heads. The white spotlight stubbornly followed Seo Hoyun from behind as if enchanted. ¡°I¡¯m not worried.¡± The fan looked at the stage with a lump in her throat. Seo Hoyun touched the tree that Seong Jiwon had fiddled with at the beginning, lifting one corner of his mouth as though speaking to the fans. ¡°I know you. So¡­¡± This part connected to the line that Seong Jiwon had said earlier. Seo Hoyun slowly plucked a flower and dropped it to the floor. At the same time, the flower fluttered and fell onto the white silk. ¡°Shall we start again, together?¡± Thump. Along with that, the spotlight slowly went out. A perfect Eastern-style arrangement that made them forget about the original song, a stage filled with fewer members, and even without all that¡­ They did so overwhelmingly well. The intention to take a picture had long since vanished. Everyone was momentarily silent, shocked by the performance, and soon an enormous scream erupted. Not only The Dawn¡¯s fans but also those of Nightmare, Refined, and Maz waved their banners and shouted. Perhaps they recognized each other as being on the same side. The fan looked back with lingering excitement. ¡°Kyaa¡­¡± Today¡¯s fans looked pale and dejected. It was as if they had just poured a cool, refreshing soda over their heads. [1] Koreans have a saying that being cursed at makes you live longer. That¡¯s what Hoyun told the idol at the beginning of the story. [2] The thing that K-pop fans hold when cheering for their idols ismonly called a ¡°fan sign¡± or ¡°cheering slogan.¡± [3] A gayageum is a traditional Korean stringed instrument simr to a zither. Think of a gayageum like a horizontal harp with movable bridges and twelve silk strings, yed using a bamboo stick. Chapter 59 ¡°Originally, The Dawn wasn¡¯t quite popr. This year, though, a lot has blown up.¡± ¡°Their appearance in Shining Star was barely saved by Today¡¯s drug scandal.¡± This was quite interesting. It had been a long time since I heard gossip about The Dawn, not counting the inte hatements. Even top stars like Joo Woosung and Yu Jia received those. I tried to listen to what they were saying while I was behind the building, but I turned around just in case. Ah, Kang Ichae. I wondered if he would get hurt. ¡°Why?¡± But he still had an indifferent face and continued to brush off the remaining sand off his hands. Ding! [As expected, those guys¡­] ¡°¡­?¡± [These days, they link Seo Hoyun and Kang Ichae together like that.] Anyway, Kang Ichae didn¡¯t seem particrly interested. But for me, listening to staff gossip was as entertaining and useless as ever, so I eavesdropped eagerly. ¡°I must admit that their skills are pretty good.¡± ¡°Ah, but Seo Hoyun isn¡¯t that great.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°He¡¯s a terrible dancer. It¡¯s ridiculous to see him relying on his face alone to be an idol.¡± ¡°Really, everyone and their dog wants to be an idol now.¡± Is this¡­ apliment or an insult? I, who was now known as ¡°the guy who only relies on his face without any skills,¡± gave them a special score for their fresh evaluation: 5 out of 10 points. Of course, it had no credibility. Ding! [You aren¡¯t hurt by this?] Well¡­ Even on YouTube, there were tons of videos with clickbait titles like ¡°Hoyun, do you want to be an idol?¡± so it wouldn¡¯t be a big deal to hear such things in person. Knowing that, Kang Ichae tried to make ame joke. ¡°Hyung, do you only rely on your face?¡± ¡°I¡¯m so sick of this misunderstanding.¡± I filmed a short video with Kang Ichae, but suddenly the conversation switched. ¡°But now that he¡¯s doing well, does he have a powerful backer?¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, it¡¯s really ridiculous¡­¡± I couldn¡¯t help butugh at that. I wish I actually had a powerful backer and received such misunderstandings. We were still making our choreography ourselves. I quickly covered my mouth with both hands and observed the staff¡¯s atmosphere before whispering to Kang Ichae. ¡°Hey, do you know who¡¯s backing me?¡± ¡°The king god emperor general Chumugong majesty himself?¡± As Kang Ichae joked about me, the staff¡¯s conversation went even further. ¡°Could it be that he has a special rtionship with Shining Star¡¯s main PD?¡± He was (had been) right. Though it¡¯s in the past tense now. ¡°¡­¡± As I turned my eyes to see Kang Ichae, who seemed just as ufortable as I was, it was clear that we couldn¡¯t justugh off this rumor. ¡°Stop talking nonsense¡­¡± I muttered softly and stopped Kang Ichae, who was ring at them. He looked like he was about to jump out at any moment. ¡°Just a moment.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Kang Ichae raised one eyebrow, but he stopped in his tracks. He¡¯s not good at listening, but he¡¯s good at assessing situations. I didn¡¯t want Kim Heeyeon to get hurt, so I tried to think of how to naturally stop their nonsense when Seong Jiwon suddenly appeared in front of them. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± The gossiping staff members were startled. As they bowed their heads towards Seong Jiwon, Kang Ichae and I exchanged nces. ¡®Stay still.¡¯ ¡®Okay.¡¯ Because I wanted to see how Seong Jiwon would handle it. ¡°Ah, hello¡­ there.¡± The staff rolled their eyes, clearly worried that he heard their conversation. Seong Jiwon just smiled softly. ¡°Yes¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± And he looked straight at the staff. His smile remained, but his eyes were sharply focused, making it clear that he had heard their conversation. The staff members looked uneasy, ncing around. ¡°Um, did you have something to say¡­?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°¡­No, you were just staring.¡± ¡°Uh-huh¡­¡± Seong Jiwon¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°I thought the staff members had something to say to me¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t hear it clearly earlier. If it¡¯s okay, could you repeat it for me?¡± Seong Jiwon is so fucking intimidating¡­ All of us¡ªthe staff, Kang Ichae, and me¡ªfroze. Seong Jiwon was still smiling innocently, but his face said, ¡°Try saying that one more time in front of me.¡± In the end, the staff apologized to Seong Jiwon and bowed their heads. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± ¡°Ha, if you can¡¯t say something in front of people, don¡¯t say it behind their backs, okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry! Time is up, so, um, I¡¯ll go ahead first¡­¡± ¡°Yes, take care.¡± As Seong Jiwon politely greeted the staff, they quickly fled. Watching their retreating figures, he let out a frustrated sigh (surprisingly) and tried to run his hand through his hair but realized it was already set, so he just lowered his head. Then, he inadvertently locked eyes with us. ¡°Ah!¡± Seong Jiwon¡¯s eyes gradually widened, and in an instant, he returned to the familiar face we knew. ¡°Hyung¡­ What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Well, that is¡­¡± Seong Jiwon stuttered with great embarrassment. I looked at him with reasonable suspicion. Could it be that this group, contrary to what I thought¡­ was mentally not as soft as rice cakes[1]? ¡°Um, when did you start listening?¡± ¡°From the beginning.¡± ¡°Oh, I got caught¡­¡± Seong Jiwon scratched his neck, seemingly embarrassed. ¡°Was I too rash¡­? I¡¯m sorry. They didn¡¯t know how hard we worked, and then they are spreading these weird rumors behind our backs. It really hurts.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right~. Jiwon-hyung don¡¯t lower your head like that.¡± ¡°But you know it¡¯s embarrassing, right?¡± Seong Jiwon sighed deeply again. Then, he looked at me with a grave expression. ¡°Hoyun.¡± ¡°¡­ Yeah?¡± I¡¯m screwed. I instinctively felt the sparks flying my way. ¡°This time! Let¡¯s make sure to show them!¡± What does that mean?¡¯ Um. I hurriedly sent an S.O.S signal to Kang Ichae, who subtly took my side after noticing the situation. ¡°Let¡¯s not push Hoyun-hyung too hard~. He didn¡¯t get to practice muchtely because of his busy schedule.¡± ¡°No! He¡¯s fine!¡± ¡°Ouch.¡± Seong Jiwon roared. Seeing his gleaming, crazed eyes, it seemed like the opportunity to persuade him with words had already passed. Cleverly noticing that part, Kang Ichae smirked and discreetly took a step back. He didn¡¯t want to get involved. I narrowed my eyes. ¡®Hey, you were on my side.¡¯ ¡®Hey, both of us don¡¯t have to die.¡¯ Kang Ichae just keptughing without saying anything. Though we argued among ourselves, the oue was already a chaotic mess. Seong Jiwon was burning with passion. ¡°I made up my mind!¡± It was theeback of the tiger teacher. ¡°I¡¯ll turn Hoyun into a dancing machine!¡± ¡°¡­¡± In the end, this thing came. I sighed as I watched Seong Jiwon, who developed such passion in such an unexpected ce. ¡°¡­Fine, whatever.¡± I intended to ask for help anyway. I¡¯d lose my freedom starting tomorrow, but that was fine. I nned to ask Seong Jiwon or Kim Seonghyeon for help anyway. This time I felt really confident. It was to be expected. [Seo Hoyun can move from being terrible to average in dancing!] It¡¯s annoying¡­ [Singing: A Dancing: C+ Entertainment: B+ Acting: B- ???: ??? ???: ??? Charm: B+ ¡ù Dance Concentration Set is equipped.] I had already used the points I¡¯d earned doing the various quests while appearing in variety shows to buy the Dance Concentration Set. Dance experience increased by a whopping three times! It was worth the 3,000-point investment. I expected that the hellish dance training with Seong Jiwon would continue, but preparation was alreadyplete. ¡°Seong Jiwon, Kang Ichae, let¡¯s go now.¡± ¡°¡­ I hate it when hyungughs like that.¡± No one will call me a failure from now on. *** ¡°It¡¯sing out soon!! Let¡¯s wait!!¡± Today, as the youngest member of the nning team, Lee Jihyeon, finished preparing for the MV reaction strategy meeting for The Dawn¡¯seback, she looked through the fans¡¯ reactions on SNS. The reactions to the released teaser photos and videos that were hot. [Refreshing Refreshing Refreshing ahhh, I love it so much ahhhhh] [Daepaseong Entertainment is amazing ??, I¡¯m so surprised] In particr, the visuals were so hot that sometimes they even crossed over to other timelines and caught people¡¯s attention. [I don¡¯t know much about K-pop, but who is the member who looks like they¡¯d barely get one 5-star card even if they spent a million won? (Photo) ©¸Ah, fuck that¡¯s Seo Hoyun ©¸Tnx, tnx] [Seong Jiwon¡¯s nose, I fucking love it ©¸Jiwon almost removed it ©¸?????????? I¡¯ll vomit in front of Daepaseong then ©¸Ah, he wanted to remove it when he was in D.go ©¸Just burned it] ¡­ It was a bit intense, but anyway, it was okay. Jihyeon searched for other reactions with a trembling heart. The newly released logo and light stick were the focus. [Fuck fuck, I said I¡¯d be The Dawn] [No matter how much I think about it, Daepaseong went too far; suddenly releasing the light stick, official logo, and teaser in just one day (although grateful, I have a suspicious expression)] [Daepaseong working so fast is fucking annoying ?] As expected, when it came to Daepaseong, only curses came out on Twitter. Jihyeon could understand that sentiment, but she couldn¡¯t help feeling a little down. But it¡¯s understandable¡­ I¡¯d be pissed too. [The official logo wasn¡¯t too bad] The image of a horizontal line drooping in a triangle reminded people of the sun rising at dawn. Below it was written THE DAWN. [But the lightstick is¡­¡­¡­¡­..] [Sigh] The lightstick was a stretch. The design itself wasn¡¯t bad, and as a modern light stick, it had the typical recognition features and LED mood lighting. But¡­ When the actual light stick was made, it had an inverted pyramid shape which was a bit off. [Is it meant to stab people?] While other idols¡¯ light sticks were mostly round spheres, The Dawn¡¯s light stick was too sharp. [It could be considered a weapon at the airport] [Is it their grand n to stab overly-enthusiastic fans¡­?] ¡­Well, that¡¯s¡­ Moreover, it was heavy. Remembering the rushed light stick production project made her head throb. We can renew it next time. But the cost would be no joke. Lee Jihyeon skimmed through fan reactions, and it was already noon when she finally closed her SNS window. ¡°It¡¯s out!!¡± It wasn¡¯t an easy task to follow up a winter version of Apocalypse with a summer version of a refreshing concept¡­ But the results were well worth the countless hours of brainstorming and worrying. ¡°Turn it on, let¡¯s watch it again.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve already watched it dozens of times.¡± ¡°We need to make sure one more time that there are no mistakes!¡± Composer: Blue Tiger Lyrics: Blue Tiger and Kang Ichae Arrangement: Blue Tiger, Kang Ichae In other words, Lim Hyeonsu and Kang Ichae did most of the work. ¡°I¡¯m nervous!¡± It was a trendy and refreshing song. In short, it was a track that screamed, ¡°We¡¯ll be number one this summer!¡± After refreshing the page and observing the rapidly growing view count, Jihyeon clicked on the music video once more. In the middle of the video, with the sound of waves crashing, Kim Seonghyeon was standing. ¡°There he is¡ª¡± ¡°Wow, it came out great.¡± ¡°He looks so cool and refreshing.¡± Thanks to Director Jeong¡¯s passion and hard work in editing, the overall look of the video was beautiful. Kim Seonghyeon, who had been quietly staring at the sea at the beach, stood up and brushed off the sand from his clothes. Then, the title appeared over his figure as he walked on the sandy beach. [¡°Ocean Train¡±] The light and upbeat sound, different from their previous concept, gradually grew louder, echoing throughout. Next, Seo Hoyun appeared, wearing a blue jacket and a white shirt. Squinting as if blinded by the sunlight, he got on the train. ¡°The sun is shining on your back, Quickly, get on this train.¡± ¡°Wow, his image is so different from ¡°Second Chance.¡± Is Seo Hoyun the fixed center of The Dawn?¡± ¡°It¡¯s probably because he stands out. Kim Seonghyeon has more public interest, but Seo Hoyun really solidifies the color of The Dawn.¡± ¡°Right, he has a strong presence when he appears. Same goes during meetings¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s stop thinking about it.¡± ¡°Right.¡± The nning team shivered as they thought about thest meeting. Whenever they recalled how Seo Hoyun was able to point out the ws in their logic like a ghost¡­ the nning team leader grinded his teeth. ¡°In my opinion, Seo Hoyun is really something else.¡± ¡°Anyone can see that. That guy, he¡¯s on his second life,.¡± Though it was a joke, it was half true. ¡°We¡¯ve only just turned the first page, Let¡¯s see how far our story goes.¡± The train started moving, and on the opposite tform, Jeong Dajun appeared. He smiled brightly and he was the first to run towards the sea. ¡°It¡¯s good that they incorporated Jeong Dajun as the ¡®key¡¯ into the story.¡± ¡°Jeong Dajun really matches the refreshing concept. Maybe it¡¯s because he¡¯s young, he absorbs the concept quickly.¡± ¡°The sea train cuts across the sun. Even if the waves crash over us, Tide gets high and low, It¡¯s just the natural course.¡± Kim Seonghyeon appeared again. Jeong Dajun grabbed the hand of Kim Seonghyeon, who was afraid and refused to get on the train. He was dragged in by Jeong Dajun. ¡°They¡¯re going for that, huh.¡± ¡°They¡¯re addressing his previous controversy.¡± It was a scene that depicted the struggle Kim Seonghyeon had with the controversy during his time in Shining Star. Kim Seonghyeon probably filmed it without thinking much about it, but his fans would go crazy seeing this and crawl on the floor. At that moment, the screen changed, and Seo Hoyun, who had boarded the train with a stern expression, appeared. Kang Ichae, already on the train, greeted him with a smile, seated Seo Hoyun, and took care of the following part. ¡°Ssh, Ssh! Try pulling up the box sunk in the deep sea. No need to be scared.¡± Jihyeon stared at the screen for a long time. Kang Ichae really holds the center of the team well. Not only for hisposing ability¡­ Hisid-back personality seems to work well within the fandom too. ¡°Tide gets high and low, It¡¯s just a part of us. As Kang Ichae yfully pretended to shoot a gun, the train heading towards the sea began to gain speed. ¡°Wow, isn¡¯t the CG is amazing?¡± Of course, we spent a lot of money on it! Jihyeon clenched her fist. The train raced on and eventually derailed into the ocean. As if time was moving slowly, the slow-motion scene showed the windows breaking on either side and water pouring in. However, Seong Jiwon simply nced at the scene, not trying to escape. ¡°You alone are my only answer, You are my key-¡° ¡°Seong Jiwon¡¯s vocals really¡­ are insane.¡± ¡°I wonder how they brought them all together.¡± ¡°You, who I¡¯ve been constantly searching for, You are the one.¡± The call back to the lyrics of ¡°Second Chance¡± caught the eyes of the fans. They got immersed in the song, and theirments online soon followed. As the highlight ended, everything seemed to freeze in time. Seong Jiwon¡¯s profile was motionless, and the camera quickly fell to the ground, capturing the scene of floating objects inside the train. Bubbles surrounded Kim Seonghyeon as he struggled underwater. He writhed in pain until he spotted a small, shining box at the bottom. He swam toward it, reaching out to grab it just in time. Then, someone pulled him up to the surface, allowing him to breathe. As he looked up, he saw Jiwon smiling and brushing his wet hair back and Dajun sitting down next to him. In Seonghyeon¡¯s hand was the box. Carefully, they opened the box. A bright light burst out, and the beat of the song began to build up again. Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun, who was sitting in the train car, tapped his fingers and stood up, wearing a knowing smile on his face. ¡°This is it.¡± The lyrics of Kismetparing the moment to the birth of a star. The refreshing beat returned, and the train¡¯s time resumed. Hoyun and Ichae joined the others, walking coolly down the train¡¯s aisle. ¡°The wave is pushing at your back, Quickly, get on this train.¡± On the other side, Seonghyeon, Dajun, and Jiwon appeared. They walked with rxed expressions. ¡°Tide gets high and low (It¡¯s going to be fun, I promise you).¡± The scene continued to alternate between the sinking train and the members walking nonchntly. When the members finally met in the middle of the train, a huge, powerful wave crashed over them, destroying the train. Crash! The scenes of the members dancing on the beach andughing inside the train intertwined. ¡°You alone are my only answer, You are my key, You, who I¡¯ve been constantly searching for, You are the one, It doesn¡¯t matter where our destination is, We¡¯re just here to ride the waves and enjoy.¡± Hoyun approached the screen with a grin and covered the camera with his hand. ¡°So quickly, get on this train.¡± Silence. The MV returned to the beginning, focusing on Seonghyeon¡¯s profile as he sat alone on the beach. He yed with the box before putting it down and standing up to respond to someone¡¯s call. Let¡¯s go now. The camera gradually focused on the box lying on the sand. It was empty, with ¡°Memory¡± engraved on it. Seonghyeon had been afraid of the box, but in reality, there was nothing inside it. The words ovepped on the box¡¯s surface. [The Dawn ¨C ¡°Ocean Train¡±] ¡°Wow¡­ That came out so pretty!¡± It¡¯s okay. As Jihyeon gave a calm assessment of the story she had created, the fans were in tears over the music video and the visuals. [Their faces are so beautiful] [I must be in paradise] Jihyeon monitored the fans¡¯ reactions through the screen, looking over her sses. Besides the visuals, there were other stories being told. [Am I the only one disappointed? Where did the post-apocalyptic setting go?] [Well, it can¡¯t be helped¡­ It¡¯s summer, and post-apocalyptic doesn¡¯t fit well in summer¡­] ¡°Ahaha.¡± She smiled. Don¡¯t underestimate stans. She had long incorporated hidden symbols while maintaining mass appeal. People would get more engrossed in the music video once they realized this, and various interpretations would likely be uploaded by tomorrow. Jihyeon nodded in satisfaction as she stretched. At this rate, there won¡¯t be any issues with the post-apocalyptic trilogying out this winter. While she was calcting in her head, others were already amazed by the music video. ¡°Look at thements!¡± ¡°Yep!¡± After refreshing the page, the nning team gave a round of apuse for the burningment section. ¡°That firepower¡­¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s iparable tost time, isn¡¯t it?¡± Laughter slowly filled the once-silent nning room. They all had one thought in mind, ¡°This time, we¡¯re getting a bonus!¡± ¡°Okay, you¡¯ve all worked hard. Go home, get some rest, ande back tomorrow.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it for today?¡± ¡°Right¡­ it¡¯s already dawn. Ahaha! The Dawn sure picked a fitting name.¡± Ignoring the nning team leader¡¯s joke, Jihyeon continued to monitor thements. A few maliciousments were already starting to pile up. [Is Seo Hoyun going to mess everything up this time too? I wish he¡¯d just leave and stop muddying the waters] Hmm~ They¡¯re getting popr¡­ even maliciousments are showing up. Not wanting to dampen the excited team¡¯s mood, Jihyeon just reported thements and closed the window. I hope Hoyun is okay. While Jihyeon worried about him, Hoyun was lying on the floor of the practice room, catching his breath. He rubbing the dark circles under his eyes. In front of him, a blue system window appeared. I did it. As a result of practicing almost every day, cutting back on sleep to dance, the following message appeared: [Dance Concentration Set, the effect has expired. Congrattions! Your dance has ranked up from C+ to B-!] The relentless efforts of the viin had finally borne fruit. [1] The phrase ¡°????¡± is often used to describe people that are mentally weak or easily affected. Chapter 123 [Shit, is this for real?] Themotion started when an SNS user shared amunity link. [For the year-end cob stage, they say the partner is seriously PP.] [???? Huh??] Everyone was baffled. There had been some spection about a cob stage, but Lea Purple was a group with no prior connection to The Dawn whatsoever. [Wow, honestly¡­ I totally, totally love it, Lea Purple is so likable.] [Right? I like them too. They got so much hate because of the scandal, their members went through a lot¡­] Even as they said this, the Noeuls were worried. They were aware that this cob would draw insane amounts of negative attention their way. A newly created ount with no profile picture made it clear. [The fuck, who are you to match up with our precious Lea Purple babies? Ugh protect them?] The message was sanitized but filled with enough swearwords to get the gist. Some people quietly blocked and moved on with a ¡°Here we go again¡± expression, but, as expected, not everyone could let it slide and fights broke out. [??Does Lea Purple even have any songs? Besides that one viral hit? ©¸Then what do you guys have besides riding on the fame of Shining Star and Kabu, huh? Let¡¯s talk about that????? Oh~~ Did they have Today too? Lucky group, fuck?? ©¸Yep, the scandal~] While not the majority, the seeds of controversy were being sown. Consequently, the majority of Noeuls and Lea Purple¡¯s fans clutched their hearts in distress. [Guys, please let¡¯s ignore the trolls¡­. It¡¯s clear as day that ount isn¡¯t a Lea Purple fan¡­..] [Noeuls¡­ It¡¯s not us¡­ It isn¡¯t¡­ ????????????? We¡¯re really looking forward to the year-end stage??] [Let¡¯s be real, a true fan wouldn¡¯t act like this fuck??¡­ Everyone, let¡¯s be sensible.] The Noeuls and Lea Purple¡¯s fans quickly realized they needed to control the atmosphere. They knew that saying something like ¡°Noeuls supports Lea Purple ?¡± would only lead to further criticism and an actual scandal. So, the Noeuls clenched their eyes shut and decided to quickly shift the attention by pushing the maknae to the forefront. [Our maknae has college entrance exams the day after tomorrow!! We¡¯re doing an event to support him, more details in the link.] The conversation shifted to Jeong Dajun¡¯s college entrance exam. [OMG, right, the CSAT exam is the day after tomorrow??? shit shit] [Please understand, granny here¡­ It¡¯s been a while since I took the exam.] [Dajun, show us the skills you honed while being nagged by Hoyun, and make sure to impress!] As the Noeuls started to show interest in Jeong Dajun¡¯s exams, his personal fans came through with perfect timing, cooking up various memes. They edited scenes of Seo Hoyun giving Jeong Dajun crash tutoring, which had been sporadically released through V-Live or YouTube. [Part 1 ¡°One-shot Tutor Seo Hoyun¡¯s Kind Lecture¡± ¨C Hoyun: (Exining in a secretly kind way) ¡°You got it, right? Try it.¡± ¨C Dajun: ¡°Yes!!!¡± ~A whileter~ ¨C Dajun: (Rolling his eraser) ¡°It¡¯s number 4¡± ? ¨C Hoyun: ¡°¡­¡± ¨C Others: ???????????????????????? (badlyughing from behind) ©¸Oh Seo Hoyun????????swearing with his eyes??????] [Part 2 ¡°Finally, Jeong Dajun¡± ¨C Dajun: (Jumps up) ¡°Hyung!!! I got it, the answer is number 2!!¡± ¨C Hoyun: ¡°Right!! Ah, right! Wow! How did you know?¡± (I¡¯ve never seen Seo Hoyun this excited, oh so cute, he¡¯s calmly solving everything for him, and Dajun gets one right and he¡¯s like this) ¨C Hoyun: ¡°See, you can do it if you try?;; How did you solve it?¡± ¨C Dajun: ¡°Your eyes were on number 2, hyung.¡± ¨C Hoyun: ¡°Get out. ¡° ¨C Dajun: ¡°Eh?¡± ¨C Hoyun: ¡°Get out of the dorm right now.¡± ¨C Others: ???????????????????????????????(Sobbing on the floor) ©¸Our maknae is catching a rabbit ©¸©¸Dajun¡­ you¡¯re not good at lying.] [Part 3 ¡°True First-ss¡± ¨C Dajun: ¡°Hyungs, ?? Hoyun-hyung is scary?.¡± (Aren¡¯t youing here right now?!!) ¨C Ichae: ¡°Hey, I, sunbae, will tell you the winning strategy for the college entrance exam??.¡± ¨C Dajun: ¡°OMG!!!!! What is it??¡± ¨C Ichae: ¡°Fill in the scantron card with hearts and voil¨¤ ?.¡± ©¸????????????????????????????????? ©¸©¸No, Kang Ichae, drawing finger hearts while pretending not to be bad ©¸©¸In the midst of this, Jeong Dajun¡¯s answer was ¡°Should I do that?¡± Seo Hoyun is furiously angry, just forget about taking the exam, he says fuck it] Those short clips spread more than expected, even garnering interest from people in the private education sector. [I¡¯m a 28-year-old part-time lecturer and this triggers my PTSD (sobs)] [Is he really an idol?? The person on the left really teaches well, right? You can tell they¡¯ve tutored a lot. Why couldn¡¯t he do this after so much tutoring? But he just sighs and continues teaching¡­] As the fans tried to quell the controversy over the cob and put on a bitter smile, hoping everything would just pass peacefully, Seo Hoyun was spending a warm vacation with his family for the first time in a while. ¡°You look even uglier now that I haven¡¯t seen you in a while¡­.¡± ¡°Well, you and I look alike, you know?¡± Seo Hojin retorted with a sullen face. *** I deliberately chose a beef bone soup restaurant with no people around and ordered some food haphazardly. ¡°How¡¯s school?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the same old, same old. Sometimes I feel like throwing all my group project members into the Han River, you know?¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t the mountain behind be better?¡± I replied nonchntly and then asked again, ¡°Do you have any friends?¡± ¡°I guess so¡­¡± I pushed some side dishes toward Seo Hojin. I wasn¡¯t particrly hungry, but I did want to see Hojin eat. He seemed a bit more haggard than usual, probably because I hadn¡¯t been paying much attention to him for a few months. ¡°Are you eating well? Ah, okay, I get it. I¡¯ll stop.¡± ¡°The triplebo really kills me. School, friends, and whether or not you¡¯re eating properly. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen someone ask that outside of the holidays.¡± Hojin grumbled as he mixed his rice into the soup filled with solid chunks. Realizing I might be overdoing it, I shut my mouth feeling a bit embarrassed. That kid, even though he pretended not to care, started to pick up my knack for sarcasm. And he was good at it too. ¡°But why are you on leave? Hyung, you¡¯ve been so busy with your members that I haven¡¯t even seen a glimpse of youtely.¡± ¡°Jeong Dajun is taking the CSAT.¡± ¡°What?! Then why are you here?¡± What now? ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be there? Isn¡¯t it normal to wait all day in front of the school gate?¡± ¡°Why would I?¡± ¡°¡­Hm?¡± If I did that now, it would be a nuisance. Anyway, plenty of people would flock to Dajun¡¯s test site without me adding to the crowd. Hojin blinked his eyes and tilted his head in confusion when I frowned slightly. ¡°The CSAT is a big event for you, isn¡¯t it? ¡­Or not?¡± ¡°What are you talking about? Who doesn¡¯t find the CSAT important?¡± It was important, which is why a few days ago, I even filmed a message of support for those taking the CSAT with the other members. When Dajun, who had been rigorously preparing for both practice and the test, released a video cheering on all the students (including himself) with a fighting pose, it caused a bit ofughter among the Noeuls. ¡°No, what I meant was when I was taking the CSAT, you¡­ Ah.¡± Hojin was stuttering when he seemed to realize something and hung his head. ¡°¡­Ah, I see.¡± His suspicious reaction made me look at him with narrowed eyes, but Hojin just quietly ate his rice and abruptly changed the subject. ¡°Today is our Dajun¡¯s CSAT day¡­¡± ¡°¡­Since when was he ¡®our Dajun¡¯? And why are youughing?¡± Back in my unruly PD days (not that it¡¯s much different now), I always told him not to acknowledge me for fear that his personal details might be dug up by getting involved with weird people. Maybe because I emphasized it every time we met, Hojin didn¡¯t pay much attention to my workce. Actually, it was better to say he didn¡¯t know much about it. Hojin dropped his spoon on the table with a ck. ¡°I hope our Dajun did well. He seemed to have prepared hard, right?¡± ¡°Just a minute ago, you didn¡¯t even know Dajun was taking the CSAT, so stop pretending. And don¡¯t you dare contact Dajun or any of my members after meeting them just once¡­¡± ¡°Hm?¡± I was about to say not to get too friendly with the guys from my workce but then I hesitated. ¡­Wait, maybe it¡¯s okay with the members? Compared to my PD days, my reputation was now like an angel¡¯s, and thepany was surprisingly taking care of the overzealous fans (though it did sound like a lie). After the incident with Seong Jiwon¡¯s invasion of privacy, I gave thepany a piece of my mind, and they seemed even more cautious about such matters. ¡­Now that I think about it, isn¡¯t this kid the same age as Seong Jiwon or Kim Seonghyeon? I always thought of him as a kid because he was ten years younger, but after rejuvenating and spending time with the younger members, I realized he wasn¡¯t that much of a kid. At 23, you could already pick up on social cues, dabble in petty politics, and somewhat manage people. No, first of all, ¡°that¡± Kang Ichae was only twenty-one. Thinking about it this way, really¡­ But? I watched Hojin skillfully pile a piece of kkakdugi on his spoonful of rice and chew thoughtfully. He looked so clueless. ¡­Or is that not it?? Is this kid still mentally ten years old? To me, Hojin and Dajun were pretty much the same. Though I hadn¡¯t said it out loud, Hojin seemed to catch on and furrowed his eyebrows sharply. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you so annoyed?¡± ¡°Watch yournguage, will you?¡± ¡°Ouch!¡± I smacked his head with the spoon that hadn¡¯t yet scooped up any rice, and Hojin gently rubbed the spot, murmuring three times in a row, ¡°I can¡¯t even say a word.¡± He then red at me as if he was wronged. ¡°So what, what now?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°If you¡¯re jealous, you should have been born as the hyung.¡± ¡°Mom¡­ why did you give birth to him first¡­?¡± I hit him once more, and as I was about to scoop up some rice with the spoon I was holding, the voice of ady who seemed to be an employee reached my ears. ¡°Wow~, isn¡¯t that the PD over there~? And is that your friend next to you?¡± ¡°Ah, hello.¡± I gave Seo Hojin a look to stay quiet and quickly switched up my expression to a business-like smile. The drama was a hit after all. asionally, there were people who recognized me and struck up a conversation like this. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to stop nagging Yu Jeonghwa? And because of that, Jeonghwa ended up going to Min Seungtae!¡± ¡°Hahaha¡­ I want to keep nagging Ms. Yu Jeonghwa for the rest of my life.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t keep her around just to nag her¡­¡± ¡°Ah, what a waste~.¡± I tossed out a servicement, a y on ¡°What a waste, really,¡± and the ajumma seemed to really like it,ughing heartily. With the promise of more service (food)ing our way, I nodded and went back to my meal when I noticed Seo Hojin looking at me with a strangely pleased expression. The impure look in his eyes gave me goosebumps, and I rubbed my arms. ¡°Why are you staring at me like that? It¡¯s creepy.¡± ¡°Watch your words, will you?¡± ¡°I am watching them.¡± ¡°You¡¯re really the epitome of ¡®do as I say, not as I do¡¯¡­¡± The grumbling brat scratched his head. ¡°I just think it¡¯s nice to see you doing so well, hyung.¡± ¡°Got a long tongue. What do you want to eat now?¡± ¡°You could just say ¡®Thanks, I got it.¡¯ Why do you always have to twist your words?¡± ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± I felt awkward and dropped the subject. It wasn¡¯t like me to be so sarcastic in front of my younger brother. It had just be a habit I couldn¡¯t help. Living with the underage Jeong Dajun recently made me realize that kids really soaked up everything like sponges. That¡¯s why I had been holding back on swearing in front of Dajun. Speaking of which, Seo Hojin turned out pretty decent. I couldn¡¯t help but admire how well Hojin had grown up into a rtively normal adult, considering he withstood all of my outrageous teenage years. He didn¡¯t swear, studied a bit, and had a good head on his shoulders. ¡°What a waste, really¡­ Ms. Yu Jeonghwa, do you want to work with me again tomorrow?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Or maybe he still hadn¡¯t gotten his act together¡­ I kicked Seo Hojin¡¯s knee under the table as he was teasing me and continued to wolf down my beef soup. But Hojin kept chattering away resiliently. ¡°Hyung, your acting in the slice-of-life scenes was amazing. I got so scared while watching the drama that I had to turn it off midway.¡± ¡°Did you finish watching it?¡± ¡°I took a deep breath and hit the space bar. Seriously, why is Lee Jeonghun so popr as a romantic lead? I really don¡¯t get it.¡± ¡°Neither do I, so keep it down.¡± I chuckled as Idled up some of the soup with my spoon. Hojin was fishing for pieces of meat in his bowl as he said, ¡°But it was really natural. How did you¡­ y a PD role when you¡¯re not even the right age¡­¡± ¡°¡­?¡± ¡°¡­y¡­¡± Hojin hesitated for a moment, then rolled his eyes, trying to lighten the mood with a weakugh. ¡°¡­Of course, you did well, right? You drew on your real experience as a PD when you acted.¡± ¡°¡­?¡± What? Suddenly, I felt an ambiguous difort, as if my intuition radar had beeped. I promptly put down my spoon with a tter. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Something feels off?¡± ¡°¡­So, what is it?¡± My appetite suddenly vanished, and I gave Hojin a once-over, but he deliberately avoided my gaze. Just then, the timing was perfect as the service arrived. ¡°Eat lots~.¡± ¡°Oh! Thank you!¡± Hojin received the service with a bow, and I nodded along with him. We then moved on to talk about Hojin¡¯s college life, but throughout the conversation, the little rascal kept sneakily looking in my direction. I was about to retort something when my phone rang, and checking the caller ID, it was Seong Jiwon. ¡°Hey, just a sec.¡± I raised a hand to Seo Hojin and answered the phone. ¨C ¡°Hoyun, Dajun is finished! Come to thepany.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be there.¡± ¡°Ah, you¡¯re going now? Send my regards to Dajun while you¡¯re there.¡± ¡°¡­Sure.¡± Seo Hojin, having overheard my response, coolly set his spoon down. Then he got up and reached for his wallet, but I stepped in front of him and handed my card to the cashier. I hadn¡¯t hung up yet, so I could still hear Seong Jiwon¡¯s voiceing through the phone, but to be honest, I couldn¡¯t really catch what he was saying. No wonder. ¡°Oops, I got a call too. I¡¯m heading out~.¡± Seo Hojin hurriedly moved away as if the timing couldn¡¯t have been better. ¡­Fuck, what the hell? After watching Hojin for a moment, I pressed my cap down firmly and began walking towards the direction of thepany, all the while feeling as if someone had grabbed me by the scruff of the neck. It felt wrong just letting things be. ¡°¡­¡± ¨C ¡°Hoyun?¡± ¡°¡­Hey, hold on. Hang up.¡± ¨C ¡°Huh? Okay.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon.¡± This was seriously unsettling. I couldn¡¯t ce where this unpleasant feeling wasing from, and it bothered me even more. Finally, I quickly hung up the phone and turned around. Striding forward, I saw Seo Hojin on the phone with someone. ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Seo Hojin seemed to be arguing with the person on the other end about a group project or something¡­ but that wasn¡¯t important. ¡°If you don¡¯t have that, what the hell am I supposed to do now?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give you 10 seconds to send it over¡ªWhat?!¡± I grabbed his arm and spun him around. My brother, who was suddenly seized and turned to face me with his eyes wide open. The bigger he grew¡­ ¡°Seo Hojin¡­.¡± ¡°What, what?¡± ¡°¡­Yeah.¡± ¡­the more he resembled our mother. ¡°¡­Bro, I might not make it for Mom and Dad¡¯s memorial.¡± So, I held back the words that were really weighing on my mind¡­ and instead uttered something else. Seo Hojin, still awkwardly holding his phone, blinked for a moment beforeughing ufortably. ¡°Ah, you startled me¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I was wondering why you rushed over. Hey, hang on a sec.¡± ¨C ¡°¨C!!¡± ¡°I said hang up.¡± Despite the voice on the other end saying something, Seo Hojin, unfazed, ended the call and looked at his arm that I had grabbed. ¡°The memorial? You came all this way just to talk about that?¡± ¡°It¡¯sing up soon.¡± ¡°Yeah, well. I¡¯ll go by myself. It¡¯s been over ten years; they¡¯ll understand if you don¡¯t make it on the exact day.¡± Ten years. I¡­ felt relieved at that number. Only then did I let go of the arm I had been holding, and as I stepped back, Seo Hojin rubbed his arm, examining me. Embarrassed for no reason, I rubbed the back of my neck and looked away. What am I even doing right now? ¡°Buy flowers.¡± ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll send them your regards.¡± Seo Hojin just shrugged his shoulders and pointed at the phone with his finger. It meant he was going to make another call, and it was a gesture for the ¡°hyung¡± who was acknowledged by the members as a troublemaker to disappear now. Seo Hojin turned his back first. I lingered in that spot for a long while, and when Seo Hojin¡¯s figure was no longer visible, I slowly began to move. Chapter 143 [Title: Is Seo Hoyun Smoking?] The post uploaded to an anonymousmunity spread rapidly. [Is this fromst year? A screenshot from the rural self-produced content, lol. This is Seo Hoyun, right? Looks like a cigarette here] The photo in the post appeared to be a screenshot from a scene in their past rural self-produced content video. Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichaey excitedly on an outdoor deck while Seong Jiwon unpacked bags beside them. Through a slightly open traditional paper door in the background, someone appeared to hold something in their hand. Below that, a photo captured Seo Hoyun in an outfit given by Kang Ichae before he changed into the T-shirt, uploaded alongside a spected cigarette brand. [Title: Seems Right (Photo) The manager took it away in a hurry, lol. Ah, it¡¯s been a while since a blunder popped up~] Frankly, considering they sold dreams and hope, bing idols for children, caution was necessary; and as singers, they knew management issues could arise. However, idols getting caught smoking wasn¡¯t all that umon. Those eager to drag someone down the moment they get a hold of something like this were thrilled and began throwing all kinds of shade. [lololol Knew this would happen] [Why are people so surprised¡­? lol. Doesn¡¯t it seem obvious he¡¯s been smoking since he was underage~] [Aren¡¯t you supposed to care for your voice? Aren¡¯t you supposed to care for your voice? Aren¡¯t you supposed to care for your voice?] There were plenty of outright maliciousments, as well as those that pretended to be concerned while subtly provoking. [Title: Seo Hoyun Smoking I mean, it¡¯s fine if he¡¯s an adult, right? But isn¡¯t Seo Hoyun an idol and a sub-vocal..? lol. I liked him, but it¡¯s disappointing if he¡¯s not taking care of himself¡­ ?] But the Noeul themselves didn¡¯t mind at all. How could they turn their backs on Seo Hoyun, who, despite his nasty temper, always did his best for his fans? He regrly sent private messages and consistently uploaded selfies. Even during filming for Shining Star, he always sported a gentle smile, saying, ¡°Make sure to eat well¡± or ¡°Hang in there today.¡± [What????? Seo Hoyun smokes??] So, when a post about Seo Hoyun smoking surfaced, Noeuls rushed over just the same, albeit for a different reason. [Rushing over here] [Hurry hurry hurry] It was not out of anger over the smoking rumor. [Quick, show the photo!!!!!] They were eager to see it. ¡°The idol and his fans match¡± wasn¡¯t just a saying. They couldn¡¯t publicly boast about it, but Noeuls, with hearts pounding in their private ounts and eyebrows raised, were let down by a blurry 144p quality capture of just a cigarette pack. [Ah~~ What] [Guys if you¡¯re gonna make a smoking rumor, at least show him actually smoking, have some manners] [I was getting excited to make it my phone wallpaper, but sigh¡­ buzzkill] The fans had ovee all kinds of hardships. This was merely something they could scoff at. Even when Seo Hoyun portrayed the smoker PD Lee Jeonghun, there was never an actual sighting of him with a cigarette. As their inted expectations deted, Noeul began to chat among themselves again. [First of all, if theeback teaseres out, I¡¯m gonna smoke two packs a day out of sadness that this man isn¡¯t mine ©¸That¡¯s why it¡¯s a national rule that one should crack open a soju every time this punkes on air acting all innocent] [Are we still calling this a scandal? Kids must¡¯ve only tasted the mild vor of K-pop] [I might have been shocked if Jeong Dajun or Seong Jiwon were the ones smoking (Kim Seonghyeon said he hates the smell anyway) but Seo Hoyun doing it? I¡¯ve been waiting for you and rolling out the red carpet ©¸Kang Ichae: It¡¯d be weirder if he didn¡¯t smoke ©¸©¸lolololololol ah lololololololololololololol] Yet, the Seo Hoyun smoking incident calmed down quicker than expected. The atmosphere flipped when aizen brought in another variety show footage shot at the same location where the self-produced content was filmed. [Title: That cigarette isn¡¯t Seo Hoyun¡¯s, it seems. Looked up Hometown Home-Cooked Meals variety show filming at the same ce before the rural content (Hometown Home-Cooked Meals_LP record with crumpled cigarette pack photo.jpg) It¡¯s hidden and hard to see, but if you capture the scene where they lift a few LP records to y music, you can glimpse it in the corner, isn¡¯t this the same as the leaked photo of Seo Hoyun¡¯s cigarette?? ©¸Wow, really ©¸Crazy, how do you even find this???] Shortly after this post, another post refuting the Seo Hoyun smoking rumor was uploaded. [Title: Evidence that it¡¯s not Seo Hoyun¡¯s cigarette (Photo Attached) Comparing Hometown Home-Cooked Meals and The Dawn¡¯s rural content photos (Cigarette Pack_Erged.jpg) Cigarette brand, location, and evidence exactly the same. Hometown Home-Cooked Meals variety: July 19 The Dawn rural content: July 21 And after the rural healing, if you zoom in when The Dawn¡¯s manager briefly appears, he¡¯s holding the same cigarette. It was likely left by the staff or cast of Hometown Home-Cooked Meals, and Seo Hoyun was just passing it to the manager to avoid rumors?? ©¸Wow, full on delusion ©¸©¸? Seems right though ©¸©¸Upperments just want to hate even when presented with evidence lol ©¸Guys, if this is true, Seo Hoyun would be seriously wronged ??] And as this story spread fast, a staff from Hometown Home-Cooked Meals rified on SNS that it was theirs, thus concluding the cigarette issue. [lol Where did all the trash-talkers go? lol] [Seriously, it¡¯s ridiculous..] Everyone brushed it off as just another passing issue. [Hoyun~ We¡¯ll support you no matter what ©¸Even if he dates? ©¸©¸Seo Hoyun is already dating ©¸©¸Eh?? ©¸©¸With me? ©¸©¸Bold¡­] However, not long after, another reaction surfaced. [Hey, but where did that first cigarette screenshote from? I can¡¯t find it in any official video no matter how much I look??] Despite scouring the rural self-produced content video on Youtube, that scene simply didn¡¯t exist. [¡­.? Huh?] That¡¯s when Noeul reacted sharply. They could coolly overlook a smoking incident, but if it was a leak, that was a different story. [Is this screenshot private? Then, is it leaked from Daepaseong Entertainment? ©¸????] No matter how much they searched the video, frame by frame, there was no match for the photo circting online. [Ah shit] Noeul¡¯s confusion gradually turned into anger. [Looks like there¡¯s a leaker in Daepaseong] This wasn¡¯t something to just sit back and watch. Around that time, several dubious incidents among the fans began to surface. [Ah ??damn, was the leak of Second Chance¡¯s trackst year done by the same guy?] [The kids don¡¯t show it, but they got a lot of sasaeng calls during their V-Live¡­ Did someone sell their numbers??] [This is so fucking annoying¡­] The keywords ¡°leaker¡± and ¡°Daepaseong¡± were exposed on the real-time trend list in an instant. Back during ¡°Second Chance,¡± it could slip by due to low recognition and being virtually unknown, but not anymore. Not only the support hashtags but also numerous posts demanding an official statement from Daepaseong Entertainment flooded in. As the situation grew, Daepaseong could no longer stay quiet. [The leaked of ¡°Second Chance¡± is a copyright infringement¡­ Daepaseong Entertainment ¡°is requesting an immediate investigation¡±] It waste, but it meant they were trying to do something. While the scandal erupted outside, inside Daepaseong Entertainment, it was quite turbulent. Especially the nning department. And since they managed data at Daepaseong, it was even worse. After the CEO had a go at them, the mood in the nning department was dismal. ¡°Hey, who recently checked the rural healing data?¡± With that, Lee Jihyeon¡¯s senior¡¯s face turned pale, but Jihyeon was lost in other thoughts. Crazy bastard¡­ It was not about the leaker. Seo Hoyun, this crazy guy¡­ It was about Seo Hoyun. He didn¡¯t give details, but that day, Hoyun had asked Jihyeon to secretly pass on the rural healing data. Then, he said to leave it be afterward and to pass the hard drive scrubbing task onto a few specific seniors. ¡°This isn¡¯t some shady business, is it?¡± ¡°Of course not. Don¡¯t you trust me?¡± She didn¡¯t trust him. She clutched the hardcover book he passed to her, but her suspicious gaze remained, so Seo Hoyun, with a sly smile, tried to soothe her. ¡°Are you worried? Lee Jihyeon, all you have to do is pretend you know nothing.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Just take it easy, really easy.¡± Then, he subtly leaned in. ¡°We didn¡¯t see each other today.¡± It was just as he said, to keep her mouth shut, eyes shut, and ears shut. With those words, Jihyeon could guess without having to think hard. ¡°Ah, this is driving me crazy. What the hell¡­.¡± This was all Seo Hoyun¡¯s doing. He wanted to catch the leaker and press down on the nning department but bringing up past issues wouldn¡¯t work, so he ignited a new incident. In other words, it was all spread by Hoyun himself. And on his own birthday, at that. Of course, thepany didn¡¯t think he would set himself up, so Hoyun wasn¡¯t even considered a suspect. Who in the world would think an idol would flip theirpany over by spreading their smoking scandal, but here they were. If it was Seo Hoyun, it was totally possible. ¡°I¡¯ll report to the CEO and talk to youter. You got it?¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± But Jihyeon couldn¡¯t foresee what was ahead. Even if the smoking incident and the leak of tracks and phone numbers were set to ignite, how would that lead to a restructuring of the nning team? If the leaker wasn¡¯t found, it would just damage the image slightly and wouldn¡¯t even serve as noise marketing. It would just ending up as a clumsy mistake. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll also¡­ go back to work.¡± Jihyeon slowly looked around, cautious. After all, she wasn¡¯t supposed to worry about that crazy guy. ¡°Hurry up and give it to me quickly and cheaply.¡± [Such a thug¡­.] At that time, I was furiously grinding away at the system window after a long while. [Quest arrival! Finish 10 events in Japan! Sess: 5,000 points awarded Failure: (None, I did my best)] [You¡¯re the best??] Before departing for Japan, that is, before meeting Lee Jihyeon, such a quest had arrived after a long time. Reflecting on its past mischief, the system window brought forth a quest with favorable terms. Yet, what truly captivated me was an item in the item shop. [I Hope to See You in My Dreams >< You can influence the dreams of a designated person. Hoping your fans will think of The Dawn more often¡ª ¡ªNo. Feeling a sudden reality check. Just use it as you please. It¡¯s definitely an item Seo Hoyun can misuse. But it¡¯s pricey, so I wouldn¡¯t rmend it unless you¡¯re really serious. Points: 20,000 *Additional points may be charged depending on the dream content.] It meant I needed at least 20,000 points. Having squandered points carelessly thest time I had to help Yoon Heeun, I couldn¡¯t afford it right away. [Why bother looking at this again?] [You can¡¯t buy it anyway.] ¡°Why can¡¯t I?¡± [¡­Excuse me?] The system window seemed utterly flustered. There had been a time like this. Nonchntly, I had grumbled about how hard it was to umte points through quest sesses yet spending them happened in the blink of an eye. Unexpectedly, the system window sincerely responded. Though there would be a cost, it was possible to borrow points. [No way.] Then, suddenly realizing something, I frantically opened multiple system windows. [Don¡¯t take a loan.] [Really.] [Totally.] [Overkill.] [It¡¯s a total loss.] [You¡¯ll regret it!] ¡°Yep, I¡¯m doing it.¡± I smirked at the system¡¯s reaction. Using Kim Jaeyeon¡¯s hand to extend the game board had been a fairly good decision. Just look at the reaction now. See, there¡¯s a use for everything. At that time, cameras hadn¡¯t been installed inside the room yet. However, outside, the van captured the members¡¯ reactions from the moment they arrived at the filming location. Only the hawk-eyed editor of the content creation team had clipped the cigarette case footage, reporting it exclusively to the team leader of the nning team and Lee Jihyeon, who was almost entirely in charge of The Dawn. Subsequently, a cut version was uploaded to Youtube after being deleted. Recalling that moment, I quickly formed a n. After asking Lee Jihyeon to hand over the data, I sifted through the umted data to scatter screenshots of unreleased videos and sessfully turned the tables with a rumor of a massive leak through Kim Jaeyeon. It was time to kickstart the overhaul of the nning department. All that was left was to go through with it. I wanted to catch the leaker toplete the perfect picture, and this item seemed to have the best cost-performance for that purpose. [How could you think of such a thing first?? Don¡¯t people usually try to save what they have?] ¡°Minus bank ounts are a staple for office workers.¡± I lightly retorted and was about to push the system window again, but the damn thing persistently asked. [You do know you can¡¯t use that item if you don¡¯t know the target, right?] ¡°Do you think I¡¯m doing this without knowing?¡± [¡­How do you know then?] ¡°I threw a baitst year.¡± I sprawled on the sofa, crossing my legs, and crunched on a lollipop. From the moment the Second Chance tracks leaked (that is, when I was busily vomiting in the bathroom), I had suspected an insider was involved.[1] My suspicion deepened after the stalking phone incident, so I deliberately threw the bait. ¡°I changed my phone number and shared the new one with only a few suspects.¡± [What??] ¡°Soon after, I got a call. My information was sold.¡± The leaker¡¯s motives were not clear. It was either someone enjoying spilling secrets or a wimp satisfied with a small amount of money. And that wimp was in the nning team. Finding evidence became difficult recently as the person seemed to be covering their tracks. Even after receiving the self-produced content data from Lee Jihyeon to blowing up the cigarette incident to oveing the leak of ¡°Second Chance¡± and their phone numbers, it was still not enough. Thepany wouldn¡¯t budge easily. Mostpanies were conservative, preferring to hide bad news rather than cut it off, knowing it would worsenter. In other words, unless the leaker was caught and presented directly, the CEO wouldn¡¯t easily shake up the nning department. ¡°Timing is everything.¡± Instead of waiting for a sluggish investigation, now, with external pressure mounting, it was time to catch the leaker and restructure the nning department. And while I was lost in those thoughts, the item that caught my eye was this. [You¡¯re crazy¡­.] [Are you really going to do it??] ¡°Yeah, you little shit. Don¡¯t make me say it twice.¡± Seeing that I had no intention of changing my mind, a slight noise interfered with the system window before it soon popped up something. [¡­Then I¡¯ll recite the side effects of the loan system for you.] ¡°Uh-huh.¡± [High fever, muscle pain, chills.] I had expected that much. It was the same when there was a leak of the song. Looking on with a nonchnt gaze, I momentarily lost my words to the continuously flowing list of side effects. [A cough that makes you think you¡¯re going to die soon, severe headaches as if someone is splitting your head open from behind, a loss of appetite so bad you¡¯d feel nauseous no matter what you saw or smelled, coughing up blood due to bronchial mucosa bleeding, damage to nasal blood vessels bursting once every hour¡­.] ¡°¡­It seems like the exnation is quite intentionally detailed.¡± [Are you really going to do it? It¡¯s iparable tost time, you know?] I lifted my gaze and scanned the list of side effects again. Endless, just endless. After a moment of contemtion, I nodded. ¡°Lend it to me.¡± There was no turning back now. [Ah, really¡­ This is really fucking bad¡­] The system window grumbled as it disyed a message. I immediately used the loaned points to purchase the item. [¡°I Hope to See You in My Dreams¡± has been purchased!] [Really, don¡¯t regret it.] ¡°Why would I regret?¡± Though I said that, exactly an hourter. ¡°¡­Cough, cough! Ack!¡± ¡­That is, after throwing up blood in the bathroom three times, ¡°Shit.¡± For the first time, I began to regret not listening to the system window. [1] Just a reminder, this happened in Episode 16. Chapter 144 ¡°Cough, cough! Ugh, ack¡­¡± You should¡¯ve said something about feeling this sick! [So, now you regret not listening to me when I told you so¡­] The system window that appeared before me dissipated like smoke, seeming a bit pitiful and sorry for me. ¡°Stop popping up in front of me, you¡¯re making me feel like I¡¯m going to vomit¡­¡± [You already vomited though.] It was thirty minutes before our event was set to start. I was clutching the toilet, retching repeatedly, but nothing came up. Except for stomach acid and blood. ¡°It hurts¡­¡± Staggering to my feet, I turned on the faucet and gripped the sink, attempting to regain myposure. My face in the mirror, paler than when I had ignored the leaked quest, seemed even worse now. My brain felt like it was melting, and I had been short of breath for some time. My legs kept giving out, forcing me to clench my teeth just to stand. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± [Oh¡­] Moreover, blood had been surging up my throat for some time. I spat out another mouthful of blood into the sink. ¡°¡­Did that bastard take the item well?¡± [You¡¯re really harsh even in this condition.] I turned the leaker¡¯s dream into a nightmare. Literally, not metaphorically. Whatever dream he had, wherever it was, no matter who appeared in it¡ª [How on earth do you imagine such things?] I made sure every creature pointed fingers at him, using him of being the leaker. The criticism from the public continued, and the pressure from hispany made his already taut nerves even more fragile and thin. So that he could crumble at the slightest provocation. ¡°How about it?¡± After going through all this pain to acquire that item, that bastard who made me suffer should experience the agony of shitting blood. So, when I asked, the system window, though disgusted, finally gave an answer. [¡­It worked well. He hasn¡¯t slept for three days, looks almost half-dead, like you right now, Seo Hoyun.] ¡°That makes me feel a bit better¡­¡± [Oh¡­] As I inhaled, blood dripped from my nose. I hastily covered my nose with my hand, not to stain my clothes, and roughly pulled out a tissue to wipe it. ¡°Wow, I feel like I¡¯m going to die.¡± Holding the wet tissue, I seriously wondered whether I could actually dance and sing in a few minutes. [Maybe you should give up going on stage? Can¡¯t you see you¡¯re not in your right mind?] ¡°I know¡­¡± My vision kept swirling. But I couldn¡¯t stop now havinge this far. The quest would end once I got on this stage. It seemed more beneficial to think about how to handle vomiting blood while singing. I threw the blood-stained tissue into the trash can and gently massaged my feverishly hot eyelids. At that moment¡­ Ring. [Bastard] My phone rang. In no condition to answer, I hung up, but the call stubbornly came through again. ¡°Shit¡­¡± Finally, I answered the call while swallowing the taste of blood in my mouth. ¨C ¡°Hello? Hey, Seo Hoyun! You hung up on purpose, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°¡­What is it?¡± ¨C ¡°¡­?¡± Struggling to hold onto thest threads of my patience, I asked him. And as if he suddenly became unnecessarily quick-witted, Joo Woosung paused for a moment before asking cautiously. ¨C ¡°¡­Are you sick?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sick.¡± ¨C ¡°Really? Your voice doesn¡¯t sound right?¡± ¡°I said I¡¯m not. Just get to the point.¡± ¨C ¡°Ugh. Touchy as ever.¡± Joo Woosung hesitated for a moment before getting to the point. ¡°Shining Star,¡± ¡°mentor,¡± ¡°Cheongbeom-noona,¡± and so on¡­ It was certainly good information to keep in mind, but honestly, I couldn¡¯t focus at all. It felt as if someone was repeatedly mming my head against a wall. I gripped my phone tightly, trying to breathe as slowly as I could. My condition appeared to worsen. This is really dangerous. I might actually copse during the event. As I reconsidered the situation, pondering if it would be better to just catch the leaker and skip the event, Joo Woosung stopped his story and called out to me. ¨C ¡°Seo Hoyun, if you¡¯re sick, just go to the hospital. It¡¯s really miserable to be sick away from home.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Forget it, just hang up already. So annoying¡­ Though I tried to bear with it, Joo Woosung¡¯s words kepting, and I was starting to get really annoyed. ¨C ¡°Are you doing a concert? It¡¯s better to let thepany know in advance rather than copsing there.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± His words weren¡¯t wrong, but one word in particr irked me. Concert? Even though I had been grinding for a year, I hadn¡¯t even managed to hold a concert in Korea, let alone Japan. There was no way I could be holding a concert in Japan. But Joo Woosung, who until a moment ago seemed to have lost all his perception, or perhaps was doing it on purpose, kept babbling on. ¨C ¡°Where is it? Yokohama?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¨C ¡°¡­Oh, not there? Sorry. I¡¯ve only been to Tokyo and Osaka recently, so I¡¯m not too sure.¡± My hand trembled. Not from sickness, but from anger. My eyes, which had been dull, suddenly filled with rage, and I said in a calm voice, ¡°Joo Woosung, I¡¯ll ask you just one thing.¡± ¨C ¡°¡­Uh, yeah?¡± ¡°How long did it take for ck Call¡¯s Tokyo Dome concert to sell out?¡± ¨C ¡°¡­Huh?? All of a sudden?¡± ¡°Just tell me.¡± ¨C ¡°Uhm¡­¡± Feeling the tension in my voice, Joo Woosung mumbled that he was freaking scared and hesitated before finally giving an answer. ¨C ¡°¡­Oh, five minutes?¡± Sigh¡­ ¡°Hang up, fuck.¡± I immediately ended the call and spat blood into the sink again. ¡°I¡ªshit¡­¡± The man in the mirror, looking like a patient, red back with fierce eyes. ¡°I will definitely seed.¡± Thank you, Woosung. You gave me the resolve to try again. *** ¡°Wow! A fancam is up??¡± After enduring the grueling exam period, keenly aware she might have to retake many subjects, a university student Noeul, who was enjoying a leisurely time, hurriedly clicked on the link upon hearing a fancam of Seo Hoyun had been uploaded. ¡°Wow, awesome~!¡± Videos of activities in Japan tended to be uploaded more frequently than other overseas activities, but fancams were still rtively rarepared to Korea, so the Noeul was thrilled as if she had received an unexpected gift. She turned on theptop for a bigger and clearer view of the fancam and as she habitually refreshed her private SNS ount on the phone. [??????] [Insane] ¡°¡­?¡± Everyone¡¯s reactions were odd. Is it because of a leak? She felt uneasy, wondering if something else had exploded. Just then, the MC introducing ¡°Second Chance: could be heard from the video ying on theptop. The camera gradually zoomed in on Seo Hoyun, who was waiting offstage. ¡°¡­What?¡± The Noeul couldn¡¯t close her mouth upon seeing him. Looking pale and breathing heavily, he was leaning on Seong Jiwon¡¯s shoulder in a spot in the audience area that was hard to see, as if he was in pain. ¡°Holy, is he sick??¡± The Noeul¡¯s expression became increasingly serious, but then The Dawn came onto the stage after the MC¡¯s introduction ended. Even before the song started, tiny beads of sweat were visible on Seo Hoyun¡¯s forehead. However, as the formation was set and the intro yed, ¡°¡­!¡± His gaze changedpletely. ¡°Inside my head, this ringing sensation, say it again, I¡¯m back.¡± Though it was an intro she had heard thousands of times before, Seo Hoyun was different this day. With his sweat-dampened bangs slightly covering his forehead, he managed his expression thoroughly and delivered a live performance exuding not just venom but madness. ¡°What, what?!¡± ¡°The future bes clearer, Don¡¯t worry about the low chances, there¡¯s no need.¡± Having seen countless ¡°Second Chance¡± fancams of Seo Hoyun before, the Noeul had a gut feeling. [Crazy, what is this????] This fancam was going to be one for the history books. [Hey, what¡¯s this??] The Noeul couldn¡¯t take her eyes off Seo Hoyun for a moment. Recently, Seo Hoyun had appeared rxed on any stage. It wasn¡¯t that he wasn¡¯t trying hard, but rather that the freshness and desperation of his early days were no longer visible because of experience. However, in the video, Seo Hoyun¡¯s expression would darken or he would bite his lips whenever he moved toward the edge of the stage or turned his back, but as he moved to the center or it was his part, he would pour emotion into his gaze, sing, and give his all to the dance. ¡°Insane¡­ Insane!!¡± Seeing Seo Hoyun sweep his hair back as he moved to the back after his part, the Noeul¡¯s eyes widened. [Ah.. hey¡­ I shouldn¡¯t do this to someone who¡¯s sick, ah really sorry] The university student Noeul and¡­ [So thrilled] ¡­the rest were shameless. Especially Seo Hoyun¡¯s fans. There was chaos on private ounts. [Omg feeling like Second Chance¡¯s very beginning Seo Hoyun is back¡­ ack??????back then he seemed totally crazy and sensitive] [So many people were thrilled to see him looking purely innocent but filled with venom¡­ I thought he became rxed and soft these days but ack] [I feel terribly sorryughing so hard when he¡¯s sick, but at the same time, my heart¡¯s tearing apart¡­ ©¸Don¡¯t worry since we¡¯re all doing this ©¸In winter, trash cans are warm?? ©¸©¸????????????][1] ¡°Seo Hoyun, what the hell is this guy?¡± Seeing him perform on stage while sick made her feel sad and worried; she wanted to tear those Daepaseong Entertainment bastards to shreds. But regardless, Seo Hoyun on the screen was insanely amazing. ¡°Come to me,e to me, Don¡¯t be afraid,e to me.¡± It was obvious that the members, who must have known about Seo Hoyun¡¯s condition, were subtly looking out for him, but the person in question didn¡¯t even nce their way once. Of course, the fansite masters were incredibly good at capturing these moments. ¡°Say it once more, it¡¯s the beginning for us.¡± Then, as Seo Hoyun came to the edge of the stage, he noticed the camera filming him and slightly moved his lips. ¡°What¡­ what?¡± She pressed space hastily and reyed it a few times, and it was clear. It was a greeting. ¡°Hello.¡± To the fans. Eyshes trembling and sweat dripping from the jaw, yet here he was, still taking care of their fans. The Noeul was even more excited by the greeting thatcked his usual smooth smile and any trace ofughter. Bang! Bang Bang Bang!! ¡°Hey!! You son of a bitch!!¡± It was a greeting desperately held together by a thread of sanity, obvious to anyone who saw it. ¡°Just this once, at least in this life, I must, I will save you (save you).¡± After the song ended and Seo Hoyun slightly staggered, the members quickly gathered around him, greeted the audience, and then went down the stage. That scene marked the end of the video. ¡°¡­Are you crazy??¡± The Noeul kept muttering curses while reying the fancam. [Wow¡­ He can¡¯t be anything but a popr member¡­.] [Being sick is one thing, but Seo Hoyun is really tough¡­ Honestly, I¡¯m pretty indifferent when I see clips of him greeting fans, but Hoyun, even when he¡¯s sick, you can really feel him clinging to his sanity] [The fact that he greeted without a smile is the best, fuck¡­ It really seemed like he barely managed to speak] Finally calming down a bit, the Noeul logged into her regr ount to check the reactions. [#Protect_Daepaseong_Artist] [#Cancel_Japan_Event] As expected, everyone was roasting Daepaseong for making the sick kid perform. With the leak incident still unresolved, they had their artist performing overseas while sick? It was aplete mess. The Noeul, leaning back in her chair, scrolled through the tweets of her followers and refreshed the screen with a long swipe down. ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry, Hoyun.¡± Whether it was good or bad, what was wrong was wrong. But what could she do? It was her taste. Noeul then posted her own hashtagged tweet before ying the fancam video once more. [Quest Completed! Finish 10 events in Japan! Tough as nails¡­ 5,000 points have been awarded.] [The penalty will end soon. You¡¯ll slowly recover within half a day, so hang in there a bit longer.] Yeah, thanks a lot. Yet, it wasn¡¯t exactly the news one would want to hear in the bathroom. Although the members thought it was just a simple cold and kept nagging me to go to the hospital, I thought it unnecessary since it wasn¡¯t a real illness. Eventually, even after I returned to the hotel, the constant hovering and talking of the members annoyed me so much that I drove them out. After watching Kang Ichae leave, I buried myself in bed under the nket, groaning in pain. Suddenly, the urge to vomit came, and I rushed back to the bathroom. ¡°Ugh¡­.¡± Even with the bathroom light off and only a dim light seeping through the door gap, the bright red blood was clearly visible to the eye. [Ugh¡­] ¡°Wow, this is really fucked up¡­.¡± The taste of metallic blood was still palpable. My nosebleed was ongoing, along with chills, pain all over as if being punched, and nausea. The various symptoms disyed in the system window felt all too real. ¡°Ah, the leaker¡­. Organizing the nning team¡­.¡± [You¡¯re crazy! You¡¯re crazy!] [Is that what¡¯s important right now?!] [Let¡¯s do thatter! Just rest now!! ??] Trembling, I leaned on the wall to stand up and turned on the tap to rinse my mouth. Before the members returned, I thought to clean up and flush away any traces, but then¡ª Ding! Ding! Ding!! The system window went crazy with warnings. ¡°¡­?¡± Before I could even read the frenzied messages of the system window, the room brightened. Suddenly, the bathroom light flickered on. An ominous feeling crept up, and goosebumps rose on my back. I squinted my eyes to adjust to the sudden flood of light, but I heard a voice first. ¡°I came to check on you, thinking you might be feeling sick and throwing up, to maybe pat your back¡­.¡± ¡­Fuck. Slowly raising my head, through the mirror, I saw a face devoid of any smile. ¡°Look at that.¡± It was Kang Ichae. With his arms crossed and eyshes lowered, his cold gaze moved to the blood-stained toilet and sink. ¡°¡­It¡¯s red?¡± [1] ng for ¡°crazy¡± (??). Chapter 158 Chapter 158 ¡°The Dawn!¡± When we arrived at the tvK broadcasting station, the barefoot and eager production team greeted us just as fervently as before. ¡°The first episode¡¯s viewership ratings are a massive hit! A huge hit!!¡± The scene featuring Kang Ichae¡¯s face-off had surpassed even High Five, securing the highest viewership ratings. They seemed to want to roll out the red carpet for Kang Ichae. When the AD said he would lie down to be used as a carpet if necessary, it felt like witnessing madness firsthand. ¡°Wow, you guys are incredible this time too!!¡± In other words, their attitude matched the one they had after deciding to offer us up as sacrificial offerings for the broadcast. The AD chattered away as he led us to the meeting room.¡°Ah, yes¡­.¡± ¡°Wow~, I knew Kang Ichae was something, but this time it was truly amazing. Even the views on the YouTube video released before skyrocketed! So, about that, could we have one more interview¡­ Ack!¡± ¡°Just one verse.¡± Even when we reached the meeting room, the awkward smiles continued as everyone yed along with the AD, until Kim Heeyeon, who arrivedte, pushed the blocking AD aside and lifted the proposal. ¡°PD Kim!¡± ¡°Stop sucking up and get to work! Stop bothering the cast!¡± ¡°Making a fuss is our job?! Even making this crappypetition season 2!¡± ¡°Dammit! That¡¯s actually true!¡± Crappy, indeed. Thanks to Kim Heeyeon¡¯s arrival, the matter of Kang Ichae¡¯s interview fizzled out. Kim Heeyeon, still busy, fluttered the proposal after blowing her bangs out of her eyes with a huff. ¡°First of all, congrattions to The Dawn for cing second in the first round ofpetition. Thanks to the face-off, Shining Star¡®s ratings were through the roof. Kim Seonghyeon and Seong Jiwon exchanged proud smiles, while Kim Heeyeon smirked. Something smelled fishy. ¡°But we can¡¯t rest, can we? Our schedule is packed~ packed.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Good response. Now, let me guide you through the preparation for the second round ofpetition.¡± ¡°Yeess!¡± All members except me responded energetically. Kim Heeyeon nced at the proposal she was holding. ¡°I¡¯ll announce the theme for the second round ofpetition.¡± Then, she threw the proposal she was scanning over her shoulder. ¡°???¡± And she smiled brightly. ¡°Do whatever you want.¡± ¡°¡­Yes?¡± ¡°Be it an original song, K-pop, or an international song. Whatever you fancy! But! Within the genre and concept we assign. Yu Hyeok, please bring it.¡± The AD, who had been waiting, scurried out of the room and soon came back in with a spinning wheel. ¡°¡­¡± I knew it was going to be like this. Kim Heeyeon wasn¡¯t going to make it easy. ¡°Spin, spin~~ the spinning wheel!!¡± ¡°¡­¡± There were two spinning wheels: one for the genre and the other for the concept. ¡°We¡¯ve heard a lot ofints about season 1. Saying how can it be fair when each group, eachpany, has different songs.¡± The prepared remarks smoothly flowed from Kim Heeyeon¡¯s mouth. Jeong Dajun shivered slightly, seeing Kim Heeyeon whose eyes were fierce but whose mouth was making a sobbing sound as if it were unfair. ¡°So, let¡¯s have fun this time!¡± ¡­She¡¯s being spiteful. Pressured by superiors and harassed by fans over bias issues. She must have snapped. On a paper titled ¡°Second Round Competition Concept¡±she had thrown on the floor, elegant handwriting screamed, ¡°If you¡¯re so pissed, n it yourself, dammit!!!!!¡± Below that, concepts with red lines struck through them were listed in a row. Ding! [It seems like this time TEW, Try, High Five agencies are taking turns stirring things up.] Exactly. Even the big shots at the broadcastingpany must have said something. Kim Heeyeon,ughing like a madman, looked at each of us intently. ¡°Then, whoever¡¯s good at darts, step forward.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s quickly put our strength into it, and spin, spin, spin~!¡± Kim Heeyeon was obsessed with variety shows, but recalling my days as a PD, I wasn¡¯t one to talk. Kim Seonghyeon, who was exceptionally athletic, stepped forward and asked Kang Ichae, our team¡¯s dedicated arranger, ¡°What do you want to do?¡± ¡°Hip-hop! Hip-hop! Hip-hop, yeah~!!¡± Still eager after the face-off, he raised his hand, shouting for hip-hop. Kim Seonghyeon frowned but nodded anyway. But is it possible? It¡¯s a 1-in-15 chance. ¡°Are you ready~?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The AD smiled and spun the spinning wheel. Kim Seonghyeon red at it, then suddenly¡ª Whoosh! He threw the dart. Thud! It hit a spot with a satisfying sound, and as the AD stopped the spinning wheel, the members¡¯ eyes widened. [Hip-Hop] ¡°Wowowowow!!!¡± ¡°Wow!!! Hyung!!!¡± ¡°Wow, Seonghyeon, awesome!¡± Are you crazy?? Kim Seonghyeon, who had beaten the odds of 1-in-15 to select the first-choice genre, turned around with a slightly proud expression. ¡°God Seonghyeon! God Seonghyeon!¡± ¡°Cool, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Kkeuak~!! So cool~!!¡± It was total chaos, especially Kang Ichae. Following Kim Heeyeon¡¯s cue, the AD pulled out the genre wheel from its ce and brought the concept wheel to the center. ¡°Now, next is the concept. This time, someone else please do it.¡± ¡°Concept? Anything is fine~!¡± Having already selected his desired genre, Kang Ichae looked over the concept wheel and then said with a crestfallen expression, ¡°Anything but Oriental-style. That¡¯s a bit hard to mix with hip-hop~.¡± ¡°Hoyun, do you want to do it?¡± ¡°Um, sure.¡± After all, anything but Oriental-style would do. Stepping forward nonchntly, I could hear Jeong Dajunughing behind me. ¡°Hoyun-hyung! You could throw it blindfolded!!¡± ¡°Throw it with your foot~!¡± ¡°Ahaha, that¡¯s true. Anything but Oriental-style.¡± ¡°Hey, what if it actuallyes up?¡± ¡°Eh, Seonghyeon-hyung. As if~.¡± The members were already eagerly running their happiness circuits. As I held the dart, the AD spun the wheel with just the right amount of force. Suddenly, I had a bad feeling. Ah, I feel like I forgot something¡­ ¡°Here goes.¡± ¡°Yes~!¡± Even as I racked my brain trying to remember, I threw the dart anyway. Whoosh! Thud! ¡°Oh, that sounds good?¡± ¡°Refreshing~!¡± Rolling, rolling, rolling¡­ ¡°Huh¡­?¡± Rolling¡­ Roll¡­ [Oriental Style] ¡°Ugh¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± Silence enveloped everyone. ¡°¡­Um.¡± Sweat trickled down my face as I stood, still in my throwing pose. I remember now. It was so long ago it had been buried in the back of my mind, but when I was a newbie PD, my sunbaes would always bring out the dartboard whenever something came up. And then, 100% of the annoying tasks would be mine. Because I was born with the worst luck. I was pretty good at archery, so it wasn¡¯t that I had bad motor skills, but, well, my innate luck was just¡­ ¡°Hoyun.¡± Before I could continue my escapist thoughts, Seong Jiwon came up close and looked at me with gentle eyes. ¡°You should have just thrown it with your foot.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± *** ¡°That¡¯s some impressive luck, hyung.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll buy a lottery ticket.¡± ¡°Phew¡­¡± I just ignored Kang Ichae¡¯s sarcastic remark that the probability of hitting a 1-in-15 twice were 0.36%.[1] Even after Kim Heeyeon had left, we couldn¡¯t leave the broadcasting station¡¯s meeting room. ¡°¡­But.¡± It was funny enough to ensure the segment would work out, but matching hip-hop with Oriental-style just didn¡¯t click. ¡°What do we do?¡± ¡°Oriental-style is good, but doesn¡¯t it ovep too much with thest Shining Starpetition?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the problem.¡± Even after all members brainstormed together, we couldn¡¯te up with an idea that wouldn¡¯t ovep with the previous season¡¯s stage while incorporating Oriental-style into hip-hop. ¡°It¡¯s difficult¡­¡­.¡± Kang Ichae, slightly annoyed, just kept tapping on hisptop. Is it that hard? ¡°Can¡¯t we just randomly add a kkwaenggwari and janggu in the breakdown part?¡±[2] ¡°Hyung, are you trying to piss me off?¡± ¡°¡­¡± I moved away from the sensitive Kang Ichae toward Jeong Dajun. ¡°Huh? What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°He¡¯s sensitive, scary.¡± ¡°I get scared when Hoyun-hyung is like this¡­.¡± As we all remained downcast and silent, the meeting room door suddenly burst open. ¡°Hi~.¡± ¡°Ah, hello.¡± It was Joo Woosung, for whom it wouldn¡¯t be surprising anymore if he said he had jumped straight out of bed from the dorm. He just waved his hand nonchntly. ¡°Hello~!¡± Right behind him, Chae Jeongwoo, the main vocal of ck Call, peeked his head in. ¡°¡­???¡± ¡°???¡± ¡°Why are you here in such a humble ce¡­?¡± Everyone was startled and abruptly stood up from their seats. Seeing this, veins throbbed on Joo Woosung¡¯s forehead. ¡°Guys, am I allowed toe to humble ces too?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s a ce where precious people are, I should go anywhere.¡± Chae Jeongwoo replied cheekily, patting and pushing Joo Woosung¡¯s back as he made his way in. After seating the grumbling Joo Woosung into a chair, Chae Jeongwoo, who had smoothly swept back his silky ck hair, took a seat next to Seong Jiwon. ¡­Huh? ¡°Seo Hoyun, it¡¯s been a while, hasn¡¯t it?¡± Chae Jeongwoo, who had been looking at me since entering the conference room, suddenly struck up a conversation. ¡°Ah, yes. It seems like the first time since The Victory is Mine.¡± ¡°Have you been well? I¡¯ve heard so much about you, Hoyun, it felt like we were seeing each other almost every day but seeing you in person is definitely better.¡± ¡°¡­Ahaha?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to stop talking nonsense¡­?¡± ¡°Woosung, who told you that?¡± Listening to Chae Jeongwoo and Joo Woosung¡¯s conversation, I pondered to myself. Joo Woosung, who had been putting up walls with everyone and only focused on his phone, seemed to be close with Chae Jeongwoo. Even though he was grumbling, his expression seemed rxed. At least he has a friend. Seong Jiwon tilting his head in curiosity and asked, ¡°Sunbaenim, what brings you here?¡± ¡°Just bored.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Chae Jeongwoo sighed deeply and looked at the sulking Joo Woosung, as if wondering ¡°What should I do with this guy?¡± ¡°Yes, forget about him¡­. I came to see Seong Jiwon.¡± ¡°¡­Yes?¡± Seeing Seong Jiwon¡¯s bewildered face, Chae Jeongwoo grinned and propped his chin. ¡°Hey, I came to see the next K-pop god that¡¯s supposed to seed me.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Even though Chae Jeongwoo¡¯s words were meant as a joke, Seong Jiwon was left speechless, unable to continue. Joo Woosung really fits in with that group¡­ So shameless. Even if someone else had directly told Seong Jiwon he was the next generation K-pop god, he wouldn¡¯t have blinked an eye. However, hearing it from Chae Jeongwoo made Seong Jiwon¡¯s ears turn red for the first time in a while. ¡°Hey, Chae Jeongwoo.¡± Joo Woosung, leaning on Chae Jeongwoo¡¯s shoulder, clicked his tongue. ¡°Aren¡¯t you embarrassed at all?¡± ¡°Why? I like this nickname.¡± ¡°Jiwon, just ignore him. He¡¯s just stopping by to greet before doing the special mentor session.¡± ¡°Ah, yes¡­¡± What was with the special mentor now? Nevertheless, it wasn¡¯t a lie that he came to see Seong Jiwon, as Chae Jeongwoo naturally led the conversation to various topics rted to vocals. At least he seems nice. Since the picky Joo Woosung didn¡¯t usually get close to anyone easily and I felt no harm, I let them be. Bored, Joo Woosung eventually started kicking me with his leg. ¡°So, what are you guys doing now?¡± ¡°We were in the middle of a meeting for the secondpetition.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Oriental-style hip hop.¡± ¡°¡­Why?¡± ¡°Sunbae! That¡¯s because¡ª!¡± Kim Seonghyeon, seizing the moment, eagerly jumped in to exin. ¡°Ooh¡­¡± As he listened, Joo Woosung¡¯s expression gradually turned into one of disbelief. Kim Seonghyeon, that guy, rather than covering for his own group member, spilled everything to a notorious flirt from another group. ¡°Seo Hoyun, can¡¯t you even get 14 out of 15?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying¡­.¡± ¡°Ah¡­.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s keep it down since I¡¯m here too.¡± Then, Chae Jeongwoo, who had been talking with Seong Jiwon, widened his eyes and raised his voice. ¡°It¡¯s totally good, isn¡¯t it? Fresh.¡± ¡°¡­Eh, do you have any ideas?¡± Kang Ichae, who had been sulking silently up until now, suddenly opened his eyes wide. ¡°Of course. You¡¯re going to produce it, right, Kang Ichae? I want to include some powerful hip-hop, but theck of a suitable Oriental-style beat is the problem. I don¡¯t like it because forcing it would make the song¡¯s progression awkward.¡± ¡°Wow! Yes, exactly!¡± ¡°If it¡¯s okay, may I suggest a song that could be helpful?¡± ¡°¡­!!¡± Finally! Not just a ¡°let¡¯s just do it¡± but a mentor who gives specific directions had arrived! ¡°Wow, this is what mentoring is.¡± ¡°Seo Hoyun, are you fucking kidding me??¡± As I muttered in admiration, Joo Woosungined about how I was treating him after all the help he had provided. I stood and pressed down on Joo Woosung¡¯s chair as he noisily banged on the table. ¡°Ha, whatever. Want something to drink?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not drinking.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t.¡± ¡°¡­Green teatte.¡± While the other members seemed too busy paying attention to Chae Jeongwoo¡¯s words, Joo Woosung looked sulky, having no intention of joining. Seeing that the meeting wasn¡¯t likely to end soon and feeling like a sinner who spun the wheel wrong, I decided to quietly sneak out of the meeting room to buy some coffee. ¡°Huh?¡± And I ended up running into someone I didn¡¯t really want to see. I ran into Kang Yeonhu, the leader of High Five, at the broadcasting station¡¯s first-floor caf¨¦. He greeted me first with a sly smile. ¡°Looks like you lost a coffee bet.¡± ¡°Hello, sunbae¡­Well, something like that.¡± I really screwed up spinning that wheel¡­ ¡°Takeout, please.¡± The caf¨¦ was unusually bustling today. Looking around, even people from the broadcasting station, who were used to seeing celebrities, nced at Kang Yeonhu with a friendly curiosity as they passed by. High Five must be really popr, damn. ¡°Staying for the meeting?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± As I maintained a polite distance and ced the order, Kang Yeonhu kept following me. ¡°You¡¯ve been quite busytely, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Busier than you, sunbae?¡± ¡°Indeed. This mission is quite unique, so everyone is on high alert.¡± I answered his questions with responses that were difficult to continue the conversation with on purpose, but Kang Yeonhu just smiled slyly and soon left. After picking up the drinks, I headed back to the meeting room, but then I saw Kang Yeonhu leaning against the wall near the caf¨¦ entrance. ¡°¡­?¡± ¡°We¡¯re headed in the same direction, aren¡¯t we?¡± Our eyes met, and Kang Yeonhu smiled brightly. Yeah, I know. But why wait and go together? ¡°Yes¡­.¡± As we waited for the elevator alone, Kang Yeonhu started a more serious conversation. ¡°I was really impressed by Shining Star Season 1. It was amazing. Good bnce among the members, and good character too.¡± ¡°The kids are nice.¡± ¡°That¡¯s really important. It¡¯s often overlooked, but actually, it ys a decisive role.¡± When the elevator doors opened, Kang Yeonhu let me in first and followed after me. Then he hummed and said, ¡°So that¡¯s why the ck Call-sunbaes like you that much?¡± [1] Actually, it¡¯s not. Since both events are independent of each other, the actual probability is 1/225 or 0.44%. [2] Kkwaenggwari is a small gong while janggu is a drum. Both are traditional Korean instruments. Chapter 159 Chapter 159 ¡°So that¡¯s why the ck Call-sunbaes like you that much?¡± That was what he really wanted to ask. ¡°You¡¯reing at me quite suddenly.¡± ¡°Ahaha, I was just curious. There¡¯s been a lot of talktely.¡± Kang Yeonhu nonchntly shrugged his shoulders and turned his gaze toward the elevator floor indicator while going up. ¡°It¡¯s fascinating, isn¡¯t it? For us, Joo Woosung-sunbae¡¯s mentoring was over in just five seconds.¡± ¡°Are you jealous by any chance?¡± Given his straightforwardness, I matched his level, responding just as candidly. ¡°¡­Seo Hoyun, living up to your nickname of ¡®No Retreat¡¯, you really go for it.¡±ncing down once, he pressed his temple with one hand, letting out a groan. He genuinely seemed troubled. ¡°No, it¡¯s not jealousy. Just pure curiosity.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°Whenever there¡¯s an uncertain element that I don¡¯t know about, it makes me anxious. You must feel the same, Hoyun-hoobae.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I need to get rid of this habit.¡± Kang Yeonhu let out a small sigh, taking a sip of his coffee. ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t really matter.¡± As he muttered to himself, I began to slightly revise my perception of him. ¡°I¡¯m fine with anything. Whether Seo Hoyun does anything or Joo Woosung-sunbae only looks after you. Just¡ª¡± This guy seemed a bit fussy. ¡°¡ªdon¡¯t pick a fight with us.¡± Somewhere, he felt simr to me. ¡°I hope not, but it would have quite the impact if you did.¡± Although he said it gently, it was essentially a threat that he would take action if necessary. This is refreshing. It had been a long while since someone else¡ªbesides me¡ªwas doing the threatening. As I stirred my lemonade, looking down, the elevator arrived. Ding. ¡°Then, take care.¡± The moment Kang Yeonhu moved to step out, I quickly blocked his way with my arm and pressed the close button. Whirring. Bang. ¡°¡­??¡± Yeonhu, looking at me with a ¡°What are you doing?¡± expression, found me with a straw in my mouth, giving him a twisted look. ¡°Why did you close it¡­?¡± ¡°Kang Yeonhu, I too naturally stretch my legs based on where I¡¯m going to lie down.¡± High Five was under the samebel as ck Call. If I poked carelessly, I wouldn¡¯t be able to handle the aftermath, not unless I had nothing to lose or was a nobody. Now, even Joo Woosung, who might act like a pushover, could side with his own agency when push came to shove. If what I¡¯ve said to Woosung ever got out, it wouldn¡¯t just be dangerous for me but for The Dawn as well. And, actually, I had given up on messing with High Five long ago. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t, I can¡¯t.¡± Unfortunately. Of course, that didn¡¯t mean I hadn¡¯t looked into it. Even if it was a big entertainmentpany, there were always some who fell through the cracks. Just look at our Joo Woosung, who hasn¡¯t had a scandal yet, but just¡­ But High Five? Smoking, drinking, dating, badmouthing, drugs¡­ They had not been caught for any of it. Because they¡¯re saints? No. This guy is the main culprit. This meant the leader managed them almost obsessively. Was Kang Yeonhu 25 years old? Having gone through a long trainee period, he debuted a bit older for a bigbel, so his determination was no joke. ¡°¡­Ah.¡± My response must not have been what he expected. Yeonhu looked surprised, then burst intoughter. ¡°You¡¯re quite honest. But there¡¯s no need to lower yourself ande in¡ª¡± ¡°Anyway, we¡¯re going to win, what¡¯s the point.¡± ¡°¡­¡± But. ¡°I just have this personality where I need to win everything.¡± This guy, his annoying skills were still a bit immature. Seeing Kang Yeonhu stunned, I kindly pressed the open button. ¡°Alright, now let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°¡­¡± . . . ¡°Huh?¡± After leaving the elevator with Kang Yeonhu and heading to the conference room, I saw Joo Woosung and Chae Jeongwoo from a distance on the opposite side of the hall. ¡°This is a freshbination. Hello, Yeonhu?¡± ¡°¡­Ah, sunbaenims. Hello.¡± Yeonhu, who had been zoning out, reflexively responded, then quickly covered his mouth. It was a forcedugh. Apparently, my elevator delinquent skills were absurd to him. Should learn more ways to be annoying. Of course, it wasn¡¯t my business, so I ignored it and asked Chae Jeongwoo, ¡°Are you done with your business?¡± ¡°Ah, um. Yes, everyone caught on quite quickly.¡± ¡°My green teatte?¡± Here it is, kid. Joo Woosung, who still didn¡¯t utter a word after the lecture, snatched only the green teatte from the drink carrier I was holding. Chae Jeongwoo wore a slightly troubled smile. ¡°Fight on! And Yeonhu, I was actually nning to go to High Five.¡± ¡°Ah, thank you.¡± ¡°Just a moment. I¡¯ll send off Woosung and then go.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Kang Yeonhu nodded slightly and then turned to look at me. ¡°Seo Hoyun, I¡¯m looking forward to the second round of thepetition.¡± ¡°Yes, me too.¡± Kang Yeonhu briefly met my gaze, added nothing more, and quickly moved away. Joo Woosung, sipping his green teatte, grinned at me. ¡°Kid, are you only nice and friendly with me at times like this? Normally, you would have scolded me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m always nice.¡± ¡°What would I even talk to you about?¡± Chae Jeongwoo quietlyughed beside us. I was considering whether to be more cautious with my words since I wasn¡¯t alone with Woosung, but given the atmosphere, it seemed like everyone already knew, so I decided to ask honestly. ¡°But, Joo Woosung, do you dislike High Five?¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± Initially, I thought maybe Kang Yeonhu was jealous of me, and Joo Woosung was helping me in thispetition because he disliked High Five. But that¡¯s not it. Upon closer inspection, since ¡°Second Chance,¡± Woosung had been giving me advice (though with a bit of coercion), and considering his generally aloof personality toward most people, his behavior wasn¡¯t exclusive to High Five. Moreover, after talking with Yeonhu, he seemed more indifferent than I expected. ¡°¡­Not really?¡± And to my question, Woosung looked genuinely perplexed, as if hearing it for the first time. ¡°Why would I?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Did you hear something from him?¡± As I pondered what to say, Woosung snapped his fingers, havinge to a conclusion on his own ¡°Ah~! You think I¡¯m helping you because I dislike them??¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it, kiddo. I¡¯m not interested in them. I¡¯m just¡­ for you¡­.¡± However, Woosung chose to stop speaking there. ¡­For me what? Chae Jeongwoo sighed deeply upon seeing this. ¡°Sigh¡­ Our Woosung really is a headache, isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°¡­Sometimes, I don¡¯t understand him.¡± ¡°Why am I a headache? You have no idea how nice I treat Seo Hoyun, you know.¡± ¡°Being too nice can also be a headache. Didn¡¯t you see Kang Yeonhu¡¯s expression just now?¡± In stark contrast to Joo Woosung, who was always just 2% short on tact and despite his title as his best friend, Chae Jeongwoo had a sharp eye for people. Still not quite grasping the situation, Jeongwoo said to me, ¡°As Woosung said, there¡¯s no trouble with the juniors. He¡¯s really been living as if he¡¯s the only one in the world, not interested in anyone else.¡± ¡°¡­Hey, what kind of talk is that? It¡¯s not like that at all.¡± ¡°Hey, Joo Woosung. You¡¯ve been kind of annoying since a while ago. Go ahead, I¡¯ll talk with Seo Hoyun.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Quickly.¡± As Chae Jeongwoo pushed him to leave, surprisingly, Joo Woosung grumbled and had a sulky look but still moved away. What¡¯s with him? Given Woosung¡¯s usual brazen and fearless demeanor, hispliant attitude caused me to frown slightly. He¡¯s really obedient, huh? Chae Jeongwoo crossed his arms and clicked his tongue before turning to face me. ¡°Anyway, thank you so much, Seo Hoyun. Woosung has been taking good care of you.¡± ¡°¡­Have I been taken care of?¡± ¡°Ahaha?¡± Chae Jeongwoo smiled broadly. ¡°You seem not to know yet.¡± ¡°I really don¡¯t understand.¡± I wasn¡¯t interested in why Woosung was helping me, as long as it didn¡¯t cause trouble for The Dawn. ¡°Anyway, good luck with the second round of thepetition! Seeing a great junior group like The Dawn is very motivating. Contact me if you need anything. I¡¯ll always answer.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll really contact you all the time.¡± ¡°Please do. I tried not to be biased, but it seems like I have more affection for Seo Hoyun, who Woosung helped, than my direct juniors.¡± Chae Jeongwoo teased with good humor, then looked directly into my eyes with a clear and bright gaze filled with goodwill. ¡°I hope you secure the first ce in the end.¡± I couldn¡¯t grasp what this statement meant, considering it was directed at a group from another agency, nor could I understand the fondness Joo Woosung and Chae Jeongwoo seemed to have for me. ¡°Hmm.¡± I smiled wryly. ¡°Of course.¡± With that, the conversation ended, and I watched Chae Jeongwoo¡¯s retreating figure for a moment before returning to the meeting room. ¡°Wow, amazing!¡± The meeting room, previously filled with a downcast atmosphere, now burst with energy. ¡°Got it! We¡¯ve got the framework!!¡± ¡°Wow! Ichae is a genius~.¡± ¡°The moment I heard it, I just knew it was the one!¡± It seemed they had figured out a direction without even needing to use Lee Jihyeon¡¯s chance card. I put down the drink carrier and looked at the notes left by the members. They had arranged everything quite well. ¡°I casuallyid down a beat, wanna listen?¡± ¡°In that short time?¡± ¡°When the vibe hits, anything¡¯s possible.¡± Kang Ichae spoke indifferently, as if it was no big deal, and yed the song on hisptop. ¡°Kang Ichae, you¡¯re really a fucking cheat key¡­¡± And you still didn¡¯t think you were a genius after hearing this? Watching the members nodding their heads and tapping their hands to the beat, I turned my gaze toward the nning notes. ¡°Hmm.¡± Tapping on the table with my fingers made Kang Ichae¡¯s stats pop up as if they were waiting for it. [Kang Ichae, your group doesn¡¯t have a Kang Ichae, does it?] Really, you¡¯re unbeatable in being cheesy. [Singing: A+ Dance: A0 Variety: A0 Acting: B- Charm: S- ???: ???] [Hold on a moment! Your friendly and adorable system window is here to exin! Rap is included in singing, and charm indicates star quality!] Thanks for the rather timely additional exnation. [Thank you, system window wagon!] I ignored it, and instead I began to closely examine the members with Dance S-, Singing S0, Charm S-. And then, I imagined the members of this miracle of a mid-sizedpany on the second round ofpetition. ¡°With this level¡­¡± Maybe we could win first ce in the expert voting thispetition. ¡°Hyung, why are you looking so intensely.¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m pleased.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± The members looked at me with strange eyes, and that¡¯s when I noticed a pair of eyes were missing. *** ¡°Ah.¡± Meanwhile, Jeong Dajun ran into TEW¡¯s main vocal in front of a vending machine near the broadcasting station¡¯s resting room. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°¡­Hello?¡± It seemed like there was another group stayingte for a meeting. Jeong Dajun took out some coins from his pocket and inserted them into the vending machine. Clink, clink. Since Hoyun-hyung said he¡¯d bring coffee, should I just buy water? He was thirsty, but seeing the array of beverages made him hesitate. While he was diligently choosing what to drink, he heard a voice from beside him. ¡°Is practice going well?¡± ¡°Whoa!¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Ah, ah, you haven¡¯t left yet. You scared me.¡± Though it wasn¡¯t his intention, he inadvertently made TEW¡¯s main vocal feel as if his presence was insignificant. ¡°Jeong Dajun, you seem to space out often.¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± ¡°Be careful. You shouldn¡¯t treat your sunbaes like this.¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Jeong Dajun responded nonchntly and turned his face back to the vending machine. TEW¡¯s main vocal¡¯s eyebrows lifted in what seemed like irritation at the dismissive attitude. Hm. Since Hoyun-hyung likes sweet things, maybe barley tea? He decided to ignore the continuous nagging beside him. Having spent time with Seo Hoyun and being active as The Dawn, the biggest lesson Jeong Dajun learned was to pre-emptively avoid nuisances. However, a certain word annoyingly tickled his ears. ¡°Work harder for the secondpetition. One mistake can lead to ruining everything.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t want to be a burden to your talented hyungs, do you?¡± Thud. A bottle of water dropped from the vending machine. Staring down at him, Jeong Dajun slowly bent down, picked up the water, and handed it to TEW¡¯s main vocal with a smirk. ¡°Here, take this.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°They say to give an annoying person an extra piece of rice cake. Seonghyeon-hyung said so.¡± It was something Kim Seonghyeon often said to Seo Hoyun. Jeong Dajun, still not fully grasping what was happening, handed over the water to the TEW member and said, ¡°Drink some cold water.¡± It was something Seong Jiwon would say when Kang Ichae was half-awake due to his nocturnal lifestyle. The following line, ¡°Wake up, you idiot,¡± from Seo Hoyun, was swallowed down. After all, it wasn¡¯t something a junior should say to a senior. Jeong Dajun briskly turned his head and, after grabbing a few more drinks from the vending machine, was about to leave but then stopped. ¡°Ah.¡± And looked back at TEW¡¯s main vocal again. ¡°And my hyungs don¡¯t call it a burden.¡± It was something he, as the maknae, knew without my members having to tell me. ¡°Do yours?¡± ¡°¡­Huh.¡± With that, Jeong Dajun brushed past TEW¡¯s main vocal. Behind Jeong Dajun, TEW¡¯s main vocal¡¯s expression twisted significantly. ¡°Ha! Seriously¡­!¡± Jeong Dajun¡¯s steps toward the meeting room quickened. TEW¡¯s main vocal must have been just trying to get a rise out of him. Mistake. A small anxiety began to sprout in Jeong Dajun¡¯s heart. And this anxiety reawakened the thoughts he had suppressed for the past year, ¡°If I wasn¡¯t the maknae, Jeong Dajun wouldn¡¯t be anything special.¡± I know, the hyungs are outstanding and I¡¯m ordinary. So, he absolutely could not make a mistake. ¡°Are you here?¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± As he entered, Seo Hoyun¡¯s eerily urate intuition clung to him, but Jeong Dajun just smiled. It doesn¡¯t matter, as long as I do well. However, on that day, the day after, and even until the day before the secondpetition¡­ ¡°¡­¡± Jeong Dajun rustled and couldn¡¯t properly sleep. Chapter 160 Chapter 160 ¡°Yeonhu! Look over here, please!¡± ¡°Yeonhu!!!!!!!¡± ¡°Sehyeon, fighting today as well!¡± Kang Yeonhu greeted the fans he encountered as warmly as possible before entering the venue for the second round of thepetition. After getting his makeup done ording to that day¡¯s concept, he came out of the dressing room and stretched to loosen up his stiff body. While doing so, he ran into Seo Hoyun in the hallway. ¡°Oops.¡± Seo Hoyun had a cold expression on his face. Their eyes met, and Kang Yeonhu reflexively smiled.¡°Seo Hoyun.¡± He called out to greet him, but without the presence of cameras or spectators, Seo Hoyun naturally ignored him and walked past. The members of The Dawn awkwardly bowed their heads and followed him. ¡°¡­Ugh.¡± ¡°Kang Yeonhu watched as they left. It was said that groups tended to resemble each other, and while the rest of the members might be tough, Seo Hoyun was on another levelpared to anyone Yeonhu had observed. The members must all have solid mental strength. Kang Yeonhu thought nonchntly as he stretched his arms again to loosen up. Shortly after finishing the rehearsal under the staff¡¯s guidance and taking care of his High Five members, he witnessed an odd scene. ¡°That rehearsal was cool. But that prop, doesn¡¯t it seem hard to handle?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°What if you make a mistake? You can¡¯t afford to be held back~.¡± There are still so many of those types around. Though it sounded like a concern expressed in a friendly tone, it was actually a slimy and damp wish hoping to drag others down. Such people were countless. This was true during his trainee days and even after his debut. Well, he should be fine¡­ After all, he was a member of the group Seo Hoyun belonged to. Surely, he would manage on their own. ¡°¡­¡± Huh? However, Jeong Dajun¡¯s expression was precarious. It was as if aplex had been touched. ¡°Yes.¡± After responding, Jeong Dajun turned away and left. Kang Yeonhu¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched the TEW¡¯s main vocal walk away with a flushed face and fuming. What¡¯s that about? Though he felt a bit unsettled, he didn¡¯t dwell on it and returned to the dressing room. It was almost time for the second round of thepetition to start. ¡°Wee to Shining Star Season 2, the second round of thepetition.¡± Just as he had finished touching up his makeup and outfit, the MC¡¯s voice came from the monitoring TV. Cameras meant to capture High Five¡¯s reactions had been rolling for a while. ¡°Ah, I¡¯m nervous!¡± ¡°¡­¡± At WH, everyone naturally believed High Five would take first ce. Therefore, what they truly desired was not the first-ce title itself but the additional benefits that would follow. ¡°Hyung, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Ah, it¡¯s nothing.¡± Shining Star Season 2 consisted of four rounds ofpetition. With so few, every performance had to be crafted with care. This second round prided itself on fairness by providing too many options. The ideas were, ¡°If selecting by ourselves seems unfair, then choose on your own.¡± Whether it was a cover or an original, as long as the genre and concept fit, it was akin to finding the most beautiful pearl in a vast sea. Though luck yed a part with the spinning wheel, it ultimately highlighted the capabilities of each group or, even more, the power of their agencies. Hmm. Perhaps this was what PD Kim Heeyeon wanted. And as expected, ording to the manager, all groups nned to perform on stage with original songs. Probably because they had presented cover songs in the first round, they chose to show something new and demonstrate their capabilities. High Five prepared a lively and bright song brought in with hefty investment from abroad. This was both an advantage and a form of stability thatrge agencies had, but it was also a strategy chosen by thepany to differentiate from the always intense performances of ck Call. Kang Yeonhu seriously watched thepeting groups¡¯ performances, covering his mouth with his hand. The other groups aren¡¯t bad either. However, their limitations were apparent since they had toplete the performance in a much shorter periodpared to the months spent on their official titles. After two stages, The Dawn¡¯s VCR yed. ¡°The Dawn is going for an oriental theme with hip-hop?¡± Naturally, he had watched all of season 1¡¯s clips after confirming their participation in Shining Star. The oriental arrangement for ¡°Make Love¡± by Today¡ªnow a disbanded group¡ªhad been very impressive. ¡°Oh¡­ I see.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be easy because it¡¯s The Dawn.¡± But since The Dawn had already utilized all possible oriental elements in season 1, their performance risked seeming dull to the audience. The genre is also an issue. The concept and genre chosen by The Dawn weren¡¯t bad. Among previous artists, there were hits that mixed rap beats with oriental elegance, and advertisements embedding hip emotions into oriental melodies had be famous worldwide. However, finding something that could stand out to that extent meant it had to be exceptionally good. There were far too many that got buried. It was not only about picking a trendy song but also required the performers to have innate sense enough to freely y with the stage based on experience alone. In this respect, The Dawn, with less experience and capital, was at a disadvantage. But it¡¯s strange. Why did he feel so uneasy? ¡°It¡¯s starting!¡± Ssshhh¡ª As if proving the validity of his unease, everyone fell silent the moment the intro started. The sound of rain falling, along with a dark, damp, and dirty street, unfolded on stage, with faint neon signs shining through. ¡°¡­Oriental theme?¡± The main dancer of High Five blinked, having expected them to go for a distant atmosphere. Swoosh- As if strolling down that distance, the screen moved across the floor, eventually meeting the gaze of heavy-looking ck boots, then slowly rose up. A man, sitting casually on a matte ck and menacing bike, draped in a splendidly embroidered modified hanbok durumagi over a rash guard and tighttex leather pants. He stretched out one leg. ¡°¡­Wow.¡± The screen moved from the cor to the neckline, reaching the chin. ¡°Are you ready?¡± Soon, Seo Hoyun¡¯s face, with one corner of his mouth lifted, filled the screen. ¡°Did you think I couldn¡¯t follow you? Born again, I persistently chase your traces.¡± As Seo Hoyun got off the bike and walked forward, brushing his hair back roughly, the durumagi fluttered. Now standing in the center of the stage, backup dancers popped out from both sides to match the choreography. ¡°Is this how they do hip-hop??¡± This song was the answer Kang Ichae came up with after listening to a track rmended by Chae Jeongwoo. He infused it with his own taste. ¡°It doesn¡¯t fit the typical Eastern mold.¡± ¡°Even if I spin the sixfold wheel of reincarnation, I said I¡¯d find you, do you believe me now?¡± ¡°Woahhhhhhh!¡± ¡°So cool!!!¡± It was an easy trap to fall into. Instead of being confined by the concept that came to mind with anything ¡°Oriental¡±, the decision was made to melt only that notion into the song. Impressive. The Buddhist cycle of Samsara. Those who have reached the modern era after numerous cycles of reincarnation. The lyrics spoke of relentlessly finding and tearing apart a rival, going through cycles over and over. ¡°Pretend you know nothing, you¡¯re already cold, You can¡¯t chase me out, In the city, I feel your scent so strongly.¡± It was clear where the meaning was headed. However, the beat was too sophisticated and the choreography too sharp, like a knife ready to be directed at the opponent, to even darement. Simply looking at Kim Seonghyeon, who was expressing a scent that brushed past his nose through dance, was enough to understand. ¡°¡­Wow.¡± The main dancer of High Five seemed to feel the overwhelming difference in skill. His expression reminded him of the first time he saw Joo Woosung¡¯s dance practice in the studio. ¡°Was that your Karma? Longing for your fears.¡± Moreover, in Seong Jiwon¡¯s part, The Dawn¡¯s main vocalist, he disyed a wide vocal range, starting with a low tone and screaming out in a higher pitch by the end. It sounded almost like a growl. ¡°Was this my fate? Can I build karma with you?¡± The firstpetition might have been heavily influenced by strategy, but this stage was not. It was purely about skill. The usually cold Seo Hoyun, the always gentle Seong Jiwon, and Kim Seonghyeon, who seemed reserved, were nowhere to be seen. They unleashed their power like crazy. ¡°Grrrrrr¡­¡± At that moment, a low growl of a beast sounded, and a mad dog appeared. ¡°Once I bite, I never let go, Living dumbly like a beast, But how did you know? I wanted to prey.¡± Kang Ichae, his hair slicked back with pomade, spat out a rap as if scratching the beat with his sharp gaze. ¡°Insane¡­.¡± ¡°With my gaping mouth and exposed fangs, It¡¯s toote when you try to run.¡± The beat quickened, and the melody that had been rising since Seo Hoyun¡¯s appearance¡­ ¡°Yes, you are in my throat!¡± The moment when the high pitch was reached, the stage lights dimmed and everything stopped, leaving only the melody of sce flowing. ¡°Insane, insane, ah, goosebumps!¡± ¡°Why is it so cool¡­?¡± Deliberately lifting the atmosphere, then dropping the song¡¯s tempo with the high-pitched sound of sce was the strategy. Then, Seo Hoyun appeared on the second-floor railing and pretended to knock lightly with his hand. ¡°Someugh, some mock, People don¡¯t know you anyway, hmm, Okay.¡± Seo Hoyun, stroking his mouth, flicked his finger towards the approaching camera. ¡°¡­Gosh.¡± For a moment, It looked like he was flicking cigarette ash. But the gesture was too exquisite to pinpoint exactly what it was. Seo Hoyun seemed to have aimed for it, smiling slightly. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ll gulp you down in one bite.¡± ¡°Woahhhhh!¡± ¡°What, what, gosh¡­ so cool¡­.¡± Even while facing the prospect of being overshadowed by theirpetitors, the High Five members couldn¡¯t help but cheer loudly. The center of this song was Jeong Dajun, who came forward during the highlight part. ¡°We¡¯ve been through that.¡± Everyone marveled at Jeong Dajun, who had thin strands of danggi tangled in his slightly swaying tinum blonde hair, dressed in a ck shirt with a baeja over it and light-colored jeans. However, Kang Yeonhu was quiet. The Dawn¡¯s maknae seemed unstable. ¡°Wow, wow! Look at the wheel in the back!¡± ¡°Crossed through the realms of Asura, spinning the sixfold wheel over and over¡­¡± The other members didn¡¯t seem to notice, only looking forward to what Jeong Dajun would show. Jeong Dajun¡¯s fingertips pointed toward the wheel, trying to turn it, ¡°¡­Gasp.¡± It didn¡¯t turn. Considering that the camera rehearsal went smoothly, expecting it to spin well, the camera was naturally focused on the wheel. Missing the right timing, the mes of the stage effects red oddly. It¡¯s still okay. After all, the viewers would either think it was meant to be that way or feel slightly awkward at most. Continuing the stage naturally seemed more important to Kang Yeonhu. ¡°¡­you, I¡­¡± But the real problem erupted afterward. Jeong Dajun panicked and skipped an entire verse. ¡­Ah, that earlier thing. It seemed TEW¡¯s main vocalist¡¯s words shook Jeong Dajun¡¯s spirit as expected. The audio was left empty as if a small AR wasid out, and Seo Hoyun quickly interjected. ¡°That was it, I found you.¡± It was clear that recovery would not be easy at this point. ¡°Among buildings, knew at a nce.¡± It was obvious to anyone that Jeong Dajun had missed his part and Seo Hoyun was doing his best to cover for him. Jeong Dajun, regaining hisposurete, sang following Seo Hoyun¡¯s guide but couldn¡¯t hide his shaky eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t follow me down.¡± Perhaps to attract attention, Seong Jiwon pushed his octave to the limit. ¡°Longing for your desperation, Was this my fate? Can I pile up karma with you?¡± ¡°¡­The vocals are truly divine.¡± Even though it was the other team¡¯s mistake, the High Five members, feeling as if they had made the mistake themselves, couldn¡¯t easily open their mouths, astonished by Seong Jiwon¡¯s high notes. Following that, Kang Ichae, adjusting his microphone, swung his right hand forward, and The Dawn members and backup dancers split to both sides, spinning around. ¡°Before you spit it out, before you get sick of it, I¡¯ve gone through this tedious cycle, And it was toote when I realized, sorry.¡± And the moment Kang Ichae¡¯s hand hit the ground¡­ ¡°It¡¯s already Dawn.¡± Bright fireworks exploded, obscuring the view, and when the stage was lit again, everyone had vanished without a trace. The camera zoomed in on the still wagon wheel as the song came to an end. ¡°¡­Wow.¡± The High Five members let out a long breath they had been holding for a moment. ¡°What did I just¡­ see?¡± ¡°What are they expecting us to do with this??¡± ¡°Seriously, they must have prepared really hard.¡± Amidst the excitement and slight anxiety after witnessing such a spectacr performance, Kang Yeonhu rubbed his forehead while looking at his buzzing members. ¡°Haah¡­.¡± As other groups performed one after another, Kang Yeonhu couldn¡¯t stop mulling over what he had seen. To cut to the chase. Bang! ¡°Congrattions, TEW is in 1st ce!¡± High Five came in 2nd. There¡¯s been a lot of changes this time. It must have been partly because TEW¡¯s performance was unexpectedly good, but no one saw them taking 1st ce. ¡°The Dawn¡ª.¡± And¡­ ¡°¡ª5th ce!¡± The change wasn¡¯t just for them. ¡°Ahaha. Good job!¡± ¡°Good effort~.¡± After seeing Jeong Dajun turn pale and his other members of The Dawnforting him, Kang Yeonhu went down to the dressing room with the High Five members. Even as they changed clothes and got back on the van, all the High Five members, as if by agreement, held back on speaking until they sat down and then they burst into conversation. ¡°Second ce is a bit disappointing.¡± ¡°The Dawn did so insanely well only to end upst¡­. Did they make a mistake?¡± ¡°But to say it¡¯s because of a mistake, they had the highest score from the experts.¡± ¡°Uhm.¡± Even then, Kang Yeonhu kept silent and looked down. The expert rating, it makes sense. Excluding the mistake, anyone who had eyes could see they were supposed to be 1st today. It was obvious to anyone with a clear eye: The Dawn was the winner of the secondpetition. ¡°¡­This is tough.¡± Kang Yeonhu sighed as he wiped his face dry. The Dawn¡¯s skills were even better than they appeared on the surface. It even¡­ It felt like a ck Call. Bitterly smiling at the thought he didn¡¯t want to acknowledge, Kang Yeonhu felt a bitter taste. *** ¡°Ah, damn it.¡± Fifth, are you kidding me?? Having secured a decent ranking in the firstpetition, he had expected some pushback, but the oue was worse than imagined. Following our high ranking in the firstpetition, it seemed as if an emergency had been dered among the fandoms, and they began discussing voting strategies. Feeling suffocated, I gulped down water as we returned to our dressing room. Everyone seemed to be pondering today¡¯s results. ¡°Want to eat ramen when we go back?¡± ¡°Phew¡­ Maybe we should today?¡± Even Kim Seonghyeon, who usually managed our diet strictly, nodded, indicating it was okay to let loose today. As I walked to the van with the members, I turned to Jeong Dajun, who was trailing a bit behind. ¡°Right, Jeong Dajun. Make sure you bring your wal¡ª¡± But I couldn¡¯t finish. ¡°¡­!¡± Jeong Dajun was dropping tears the size of chicken droppings. He had been stiff-faced since the mistake, but I thought he was managing well since he seemed both mature on stage and in the dressing room. ¡°Waaaah~.¡± Seong Jiwon awkwardlyughed and quickly hugged Jeong Dajun. ¡°Why are you crying, Dajun? Huh?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­.¡± He sniveled for quite some time, struggling to stop the tears that he had been holding back from bursting out. Unable to speak properly and just crying, Kim Seonghyeon, who had run to the van and back in the meantime, offered him a tissue. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I¡¯m sorry¡­.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°¡­My, my mistake, it ruined everything. That¡¯s why we ended up in 5th¡­.¡± He was talking about messing up because he couldn¡¯t spin the wagon wheel. ¡°Hyungs were all wless, doing, doing insanely well. And I, as expected, just dragged us down.¡± As expected? Hearing Jeong Dajun¡¯s tearful words, one word scratched at my nerves. ¡°I tried not to, but I messed up¡­.¡± ¡°Dajun~! Stuff like this will just be funnyter. And don¡¯t you know hyungs make mistakes too? Jiwon-hyung, quickly mess up.¡± Trying to lighten the mood, Kang Ichae cracked a joke, but my mind was racing. ¡°Oops! Ichae, give me a rap.¡± ¡°What¡¯s rap? Is it something to eat? And this eldest hyungcks character.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t argue with that about Seo Hoyun.¡± ¡°But, but¡­.¡± Jeong Dajun¡¯sst words cemented my thoughts. ¡°Making a mistake makes me a burden¡­.¡± In the silence that followed, I lightly touched my lips. I see. ¡°Jeong Dajun.¡± I stepped closer to Jeong Dajun, wiping away the tears that had formed around his eyes. ¡°People make mistakes.¡± Jeong Dajun will grow from this. ¡°Today¡¯s mistake is just one among many you¡¯ll make.¡± Looking back, this will just be one episode among many on a show. And until then, I will be by his side. So, what¡¯s the big deal? I smiled lightly. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Stop crying, Jeong Dajun.¡± Jeong Dajun sniffled and slowly nodded. ¡°¡­Yes.¡± ¡°How did you hold it in until now?¡± ¡°Just, felt sorry to the hyungs, so, kind of¡­¡± As Kim Seonghyeon roughed up Jeong Dajun¡¯s hair, his mumbled response was broken and hard to understand because he had been crying so much. Kang Ichae yfully pinched Jeong Dajun¡¯s cheek, joking that ¡°he was too delicate to even spin a wagon wheel,¡± while Seong Jiwon gently stroked Jeong Dajun¡¯s back. Finally managing to soothe him enough to get him into the van, the maknae who had been drinking water let out tears again. Seong Jiwon carefully caught Jeong Dajun¡¯s hand as he tried to wipe away the tears with his sleeve. ¡°Dajun, you did well and worked hard.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay to cry a lot. Hyungs will be here with you until you stop.¡± ¡°Yes¡­ Thank you¡­.¡± As I buckled the seatbelt, my eyes met Kang Ichae¡¯s, who had a peculiar expression. The sudden copse of Jeong Dajun¡¯s mental state, the usage of words he normally wouldn¡¯t, and his recent strange behaviors. Kang Ichae knew as well, and it seemed he too was holding back the same question. ¡°You did well.¡± Jeong Dajun¡­ ¡°Ahaha, hyung did well too.¡± Who the hell did this to you? Chapter 161 Chapter 161 After the first sneak peek video was uploaded and not long after the secondpetition ended, the atmosphere among the Noeuls was peaceful. Thanks to The Dawn¡¯s outstanding performance of ¡°Easy Tempo¡± in the firstpetition, each day was filled with joy. [Kim Seonghyeon ?? So handsome and cute, I want to put him in my mouth;;;;;;;;;;;; ©¸Just reported this ©¸©¸Wait for me you fuckers] [Seong Jiwon, it¡¯s unbelievable that he practiced for 7 years with that holy face. If I were the CEO, I would¡¯ve debuted Seong Jiwon on the spot screaming, ¡°Oh my God, Oh my God¡± ©¸Seong Jiwon¡¯s mole is just¡­. driving me crazy] As Seo Hoyun had predicted, almost no one paired them with Lea Purple. Furthermore, The Dawn captured the spotlight in this sneak peek video thatpiled the highlights.It was Seo Hoyun¡¯s ribbon scene. With a slightly furrowed brow andnguid eyes, Seo Hoyun, pulling the string tied around his neck to untie the ribbon, was lethal. Those watching were momentarily short-circuited. [Seo Hoyun: Uh-huh~ I¡¯ll kill you Noeul: Uh-huh~ I¡¯ll die for you] [Ah????????????Ah you wanna get dirty and sticky with me, see you in court, you bastard, you¡¯re gonna regret this] As posts transitioned from variousmunities and SNS to Youtube, the speed at which they were uploaded significantly increased. [Dear God¡­ Thank you for sending this face genius, bunny god idol to me. It feels rewarding to have lived a good life] [Seriously, these kids live with full of venom¡­] [It means they¡¯re going for the win¡­ Now I see why they got second ce¡­] A stage worth agonizing over for the next 10 years, and not a bad rank to boot. Knowing they were predicted to best in the final preliminary rankings after the first episode aired, the Noeuls smirked and were satisfied, already widely spreading the results of the firstpetition. However, their happiness didn¡¯tst long. [Hey, spoilers for the secondpetition are out] This was because spoilers for the secondpetition appeared. [The Dawn in 5th ce?!?!?!???] This revtion took everyone aback. [Why though??? How could they drop to 5th ce when they were 2nd in the firstpetition?] [They were 1st in expert voting, how did they end up in 5th] Piecing together reviews and stories from various sources led to a single conclusion. [It¡¯s a strategic pick] That¡¯s when the anger surged. [Fuck, are we screwed? ?] [Fuck???Seriously, are these people insane? yed their brains out ?] [Ah, really losing hope here¡­] As spections on rankings and spoilers circted, a 30-second leaked fancam of The Dawn¡¯s secondpetition, apparently shot secretly with part of the screen obscured, reignited the Noeuls¡¯ fervor. [????What do we do about Dajun panicking ???Damn, shatter that wheel] [The one who made it that heavy,e out¡­] [My baby?? Still, he kept his mental strength till the end???] Not everyone was heartbroken and sad, though. Trolls, a chronic disease in every fandom, wouldn¡¯t miss this delicious opportunity. Already sensitive due to being ranked 5th, trolls within the Noeuls confidently blew Jeong Dajun¡¯s mistake out of proportion and pinpointed it. [Ah shit, he just skipped a whole verse] [It¡¯s because of Jeong Dajun we¡¯re in 5th ce, right? We could see the mistake, so imagine the audience??Must¡¯ve been so obvious] [Dajun ah shit~~?? Told you to practice more?] Jeong Dajun¡¯s mistake wasn¡¯t decisive, but the few haters clung on like crazy. The issue of strategic picking in the secondpetition caused more division and backstabbing among the fandoms. And then, the day of the next shooting came. It was the thirdpetition, the unitpetition. It should have been conducted in a warm atmosphere. ¡°Doesn¡¯t it feel particrly tense today?¡± It was like walking on thin ice. No one dared to speak up easily but whispered instead. One of the staff members, checking the atmosphere on set, muttered, ¡°It¡¯s really scary.¡± Even though the participating groups greeted each other with smiles initially, it became so quiet afterward you could hear an ant pass by. TEW, who won first ce in the secondpetition, had a proud face throughout, while High Five showed no expression. The other groups seemed to just watch cautiously. Apparently, everyone had been briefed about the overall situation through theirpanies, so the atmosphere was chilly. ¡°Did you expect a survival program atmosphere to be warm?¡± In the current state, the ratings were guaranteed. It wasn¡¯t that Kim Heeyeon had replied with the wrong words. Yet, Kim Heeyeon¡¯s heart was not at ease. Are they mentally okay over there? While giving instructions to the surrounding staff, Kim Heeyeon sneaked a peek at The Dawn¡¯s designated seats. Seo Hoyun didn¡¯t seem to care in the slightest. Even if the whole world cursed at him, he seemed like he would just respond with a nonchnt, ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± As her gaze shifted, she caught sight of one in bad shape. It was The Dawn¡¯s maknae. Well, if he saw the inte reactions, he wouldn¡¯t be in their right mind right now¡­ TEW members sitting next to him were also caught whispering about Jeong Dajun. Though the details were unknown, something felt off. Watching that shot on the monitor, Kim Heeyeon brushed her bangs back. What¡¯s this? Did they fight? It would be a bit much to include this as is. But she had no time to ponder further. The shooting soon began. MC Ha Seoyeon appeared to the sound of apuse. ¡°Thank you for your hard work in the secondpetition.¡± After lightly asking for their impressions, Ha Seoyeon efficiently extracted content for the broadcast, followed by an introduction to the thirdpetition. ¡°The thirdpetition consists of vocal and performance units.¡± Kim Heeyeon, having already seen Ha Seoyeon¡¯s script countless times, could recite it without listening. This face-off was divided into two main categories. Performance units and vocal units. In the performance units, one member from each group participated in individualpetitions. The vocal unit selection process was a little different. From each group, only one member was chosen, forming two teams, A and B, each consisting of five members. Votes were allocated to individuals, with the team having the highest total individual scores dered the winner. The winning team received additional points. Moreover, within the winning team, the member with the lowest individual votes had to pass their points to the individual with the highest votes from the losing team. In other words, it was a devilishly designedpetition that intensified both team and individual rivalries, requiring constant vignce and strategic thinking. So, depending on who bes a team member, the strategy has to change. In any case, there were people who had to be recruited by the team to win. Seong Jiwon is a must-have. In thepetition, being a safe bet meant you could at least secure a middle ranking. ¡°First up, the vocal unit. The top rankers from thest round, TEW and High Five, will select their team members as leaders of Teams A and B, respectively. TEW gets the first pick, followed by High Five, with selections alternating between them. Please, TEW,e forward.¡± The members of TEW huddled together, whispering for a moment before the main vocal stood up with a grin. Ha Seoyeon asked the TEW main vocal, who stood in front of a pre-installed stand microphone, ¡°Team A¡¯s Jeong Wonha, you can pick whoever you like. Do you have a member in mind?¡± ¡°Ah, yes! Of course!¡± Despite his rtively young appearance for his years in the industry, the TEW main vocal showed off a practiced smile. ¡°I have someone in mind!¡± It would either be The Dawn¡¯s Seong Jiwon or High Five¡¯s main vocal. There was a big chance that the other team might pick Seong Jiwon first. ¡°Oh~, is that so? Then who is this lucky person?¡± ¡°I choose¡ª!¡± Jeong Wonha¡¯s head slowly turned toward The Dawn. It must be Seong Jiwon, after all. ¡°The Dawn¡¯s¡ª!¡± Just as Kim Heeyeon was about to turn away, bored, expecting the obvious scene¡­ ¡°I¡¯ll choose Seo Hoyun!¡± ¡°¡­?!¡± An unexpected twist urred. The camera caught everyone¡¯s surprised faces. Even Ha Seoyeon, who had been calm throughout, seemed a bit flustered. Only Seo Hoyun was calm as he leisurely stood up. Ignoring Jeong Dajun, who stared at him with shaking eyes, Hoyun walked over to a delighted Jeong Wonha. ¡°You really chose me right away?¡± ¡°Hey, it would be disappointing otherwise~.¡± ¡­Since when was it disappointing? They whispered to each other. Clearly, TEW implied something with their nce at Jeong Dajun. If it was captured on camera and visible to her eyes, there was no way Seo Hoyun didn¡¯t notice. Yet, at this moment, Jeong Wonha treated Seo Hoyun like a close hyung he truly trusted. And Seo Hoyun epted it as if it were a matter of course. ¡°Now, High Five, please step forward.¡± Without any hesitation, Kang Yeonhu, not High Five¡¯s main vocal, stepped forward. ¡°Kang Yeonhu, please choose a member for Team B.¡± ¡°I will pick Seong Jiwon.¡± Kang Yeonhu chose Seong Jiwon for a sure victory. After Jeong Wonha picked Try¡¯s main vocal, it was Kang Yeonhu¡¯s turn again. As Kang Yeonhu carefully surveyed all the idols, he smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯ll pick TEW¡¯s Joo Hyungjin.¡± He was an idol whose name often popped up in variousmunities, YouTube, and SNS due to controversies over his skills. ¡°¡­!¡± It could have been a risky move, and the atmosphere turned restless, not knowing on what basis he was chosen, but Kim Heeyeon¡¯s lips curled up. Targeted. Things were getting interesting. The High Five leader was sharper than expected, quickly grasping the rules. ¡°Now, Teams A and B areplete.¡± Kim Heeyeon looked over the ten vocal unit members evenly picked from each group. Team A, containing Seo Hoyun and Jeong Wonha along with High Five¡¯s main vocal, was strong in its own right, but couldn¡¯tpare to Team B, which had Seong Jiwon and Kang Yeonhu. If it weren¡¯t for Seo Hoyun, Jeong Wonha¡¯s selection criteria wouldn¡¯t be too hard to understand. ¡°Let¡¯s do our best, Jeong Wonha.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll definitely win~!¡± ¡­Why did you choose Seo Hoyun first? After the vocal unit teams were formed, it was time to select members for the performance unit. Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun of The Dawn were seen discussing for a while. ¡°The Dawn¡¯s performance unit¡ª¡± An unexpected scene unfolded as Kim Seonghyeon pushed a dispirited Jeong Dajun forward. ¡°¡ªJeong Dajun will participate.¡± ¡°¡­??¡± Everyone¡¯s gaze turned toward The Dawn as they were expecting Kim Seonghyeon to participate. ¡°Jeong Dajun?¡± ¡°Whoa, I thought Seonghyeon woulde out¡­¡± But soon, everyone seemed relieved. Considering Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s fame in the dance scene since his high school days and as the biggest beneficiary of Shining Star Season 1, his not participating was a relief. More so since Jeong Dajun was considered the weakest link in The Dawn. For the other groups, this was more of a gain than a loss. ¡°¡­Wow, look at the relieved faces of the contestants. This will hurt his pride.¡± The AD muttered so quietly that only Kim Heeyeon could hear. True to his word, Dajun bit his lower lip hard for a moment, then stepped forward to line up with the performance unit. ¡°Jeong Dajun has entered¡­ I¡¯ll choose ¡®Ride with you¡¯.¡± ¡°Yes, thank you!¡± Seo Hoyun, who had beenughing at Jeong Wonha¡¯s whispers, kept his eyes on his team¡¯s maknae the whole time. What is he thinking? Just then, as Seo Hoyun turned his head, their eyes met. ¡°¡­¡± Seeing Kim Heeyeon flinch slightly, Seo Hoyun yfully rolled his eyes. Kim Heeyeon realized then. He knew everything, after all. She was confused whether she was filming an idol survival show or a modern-day pce intrigue. Fine¡­ do as you please. It would be nice if it turned out to be interesting. After all, she knew well that one couldn¡¯t guess the thoughts of a madman. *** ¡°Hoyun-hyung! So, we start practicing this afternoon?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Should we start a group chat?¡± The red light on the camera went off, and while I was casually replying to the excited TEW¡¯s main vocal, I felt a piercing gaze on me. When I looked up, Kang Yeonhu from Team B was, as usual, smiling at me. ¡°Let¡¯s work hard.¡± I nodded and took the members back to the dorm. Seong Jiwon couldn¡¯t have missed this strange atmosphere and deliberately started a conversation with Jeong Dajun. ¡°Dajun, are you going to practice?¡± ¡°Ah, yes¡­ With Seonghyeon-hyung.¡± After the secondpetition, Dajun had be noticeably quieter. He no longer ran around or joked. He was just busy observing his hyungs. Dragging my tired body, I flopped down on the sofa, and Jeong Dajun came over, hesitating. ¡°Um, hyung¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ nothing.¡± He seemed like he had something to say, fidgeting with his fingers, but then shook his head and abruptly stood up, saying he was going to the practice room. ¡°We¡¯ll go too. To look after Dajun.¡± Excluding Kang Ichae, who said he had things to pack and would followter, Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon headed to the practice room after Dajun. I smirked looking at the closed front door. ¡°So, he¡¯s grown a bit, hasn¡¯t he?¡± I thought he would whine, but it seemed Dajun had learned to pull himself together after being down for the past few days. I was about to check the item shop when the system window suddenly popped up. [Seo Hoyun.] [I¡¯ve been admiring the skill with which you¡¯vepletely won over TEW¡¯s main voca these past few days.] ¡°¡­¡± [Why???] [Why on earth did you join Jeong Wonha¡¯s team? Almost like you volunteered???] I was about to ignore it out of annoyance when¡­ Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! ¡­! The rm kept ringing. ¡°Ah, my ears.¡± [Why??? Is there some benefit?] Why wouldn¡¯t there be? I never make a move without reason. It was thanks to Kim Heeyeon, of course. It seemed like she wanted to spice things up with the thirdpetition. Thanks to her, a scenario where I could not only score generously but also take care of the narrative fell right into myp. That is¡­ Seong Jiwon and I each taking first ce in our teams. In this third round ofpetition, securing first ce meant no loss, whether our teams won or lost. Even on a losing team, securing first ce meant we could take points away from thest-ce member of the winning team. And I knew this even before thepetition was announced. ¡°Hyung! Did you know??¡± This came from a call the day before the shooting, from Jeong Wonha. In truth, my acquaintance with TEW¡¯s main vocal, Jeong Wonha, was a lightly forged connection toy some groundwork. But I didn¡¯t expect this guy to call me so casually. ¡°Our members think this way.¡± It seemed like he got information ahead of time through the power of his big agency, and he told me about the thirdpetition¡¯s format. He suggested we team up. His n was simple: given that TEW¡¯s score wasn¡¯t bad so far, and as long as one member from each team gets in, we¡¯ll get points, so let¡¯s just not finishst. ¡°So, let¡¯s team up!¡± ¡°Would that really be okay?¡± TEW¡¯s members thought I was the main contributor to the firstpetition. Apart from High Five, there weren¡¯t many well-known people in Shining Star, so it was an appropriate choice. What was a bit funny, though¡­ ¡°Yes! Hyung, you¡¯re a pretty decent person!¡± ¡­Was how easily Jeong Wonha trusted me. Without knowing what I was thinking. Well, I might let that slide but¡ª. ¡®Kang Yeonhu was a problem.¡¯ ¡ªIt was quite irritating that Kang Yeonhu had the same thought as me. Singling out a member in TEW who had taken all sorts of abuse showed his intentions quite clearly. It seemed like he arranged his team that way to make up for falling to second ce in thestpetition, confident that he could still win. Well, as long as I do my part, that¡¯s all that matters. Seong Jiwon had nothing to worry about. The problem was me, who had to dominate with my skills in Team A. ¡°Hey, show me.¡± I unwrapped a candy on the table and rolled it in my mouth. The system window came up, filled with noise as if grumbling. Still, with the slots empty, the few items that were up didn¡¯t seem to be of much use. Then, one item highlighted with a sparkling marker caught my eye. That¡¯s appropriate. It was a self-improvement item that could be used just right, but one thing bothered me. [¡ùWarning: Use may cause vomiting, gastritis, cold symptoms, and other adverse effects.] ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± Some jerk in our group who looked like a ruffian was particrly sensitive about the members¡¯ health issues. I kept mulling over the text in silence when Kang Ichae came out of the room while plugging in his earphones. ¡°Hyung, I¡¯m going ahead too~. To cheer up Dajun, who¡¯s down because of the hyungs~.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Humming a tune and speaking jokingly, Kang Ichae saw my expression and narrowed his eyes. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Why are you being cautious?¡± Hey. ¡°¡­When did I?¡± If I use this, would it kill you? Chapter 162 Chapter 162 ¡°Yeonhu-hyung, have a great practice with your vocal unit!¡± ¡°Wow! You¡¯re practicing with Seong Jiwon?? So jealous!! Tell him I¡¯m a fan!¡± ¡°Ahaha, will do.¡± In High Five, Kang Yeonhu was always calm yet reliable, gaining his fellow members¡¯ respect and excelling in negotiations with thepany. It was only natural for him to be the leader of the group. But it wasn¡¯t always like that. Kang Yeonhu¡¯s calm demeanor was shaped by years of rigorous training at a major agency, where he was whittled down and molded into something different. Those days were tough¡­ Even WH Entertainment, apany that imed to prioritize character above all, was filled with individuals who had fought their way up.They couldn¡¯t all be gentle. After moving from the countryside with dreams of bing a singer, he saw all sorts of people. Only after shedding his na?ve innocence did he learn how to survive. Talent was a given, and political maneuvering was a necessary evil. ¡°Let¡¯s practice one more time~.¡± ¡°Wow, the WH practice rooms are really nice¡­.¡± Yeonhu was very adept at reading people. Seong Jiwon, it¡¯s a bit disappointing. ¡°Amazing, really.¡± ¡°How can someone sing like that?¡± Yeonhu had heard he was originally from a major agency. If he was in the same group as him, he could shine even brighter, and quicker. Thinking this, Yeonhu shook his head. No, he¡¯s better off with that person. Yeonhu thought of someone in the same group as Seong Jiwon, someone simr, or rather, more entric than him. ¡°Cough, cough!¡± It was Seo Hoyun from The Dawn. Because of the rule that only one member from each group could participate, High Five¡¯s main vocal had been selected for the opposing team. They gathered in WH Entertainment¡¯s practice room under the pretext of wanting to explore one of the top three agencies as they prepared for thepetition. Each had been assigned different rooms, and with the soundproofing, they were unaware of what the others were practicing. Still, they asionally ran into each other in the hallway since they were located opposite each other. ¡°¡­Oh, hold on a second.¡± After deciding to take a break, Bercy¡¯s main vocal member opened the practice room door, and Seong Jiwon, who had been drinking water, stopped and ran out when he saw someone passing by. ¡°Hoyun, are you okay?¡± On a sofa in the corner of the hallway, a pale-faced man was rubbing his neck, head bowed down. Though he looked unwell, his well-proportioned features stood out even among the idols and trainees swarming around WH Entertainment. He¡¯s bound to make it big. Seo Hoyun had many titles attached to him. Joo Woosung¡¯s close friend, the overwhelming favorite winner of Shining Star Season 1, the idol with ster acting skills in dramas, and so on. It¡¯s a miracle such a mid-sizedpany has such talents. Not just Seong Jiwon, who began to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry as a great singer, but also Kim Seonghyeon, who was recognized for his dancing, and Kang Ichae, who received love calls from agencies for his songwriting andposing skills. They were all in one group. Jiwon carefully sat down next to Hoyun. ¡°You were fine just now. Why are you suddenly feeling sick? Do you want to go to the hospital?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m okay.¡± ¡°Uhm, you look really unwell.¡± Hoyun sighed as if he had swallowed a big breath, then rubbed his face with his hands. ¡°Cough, don¡¯t tell Kang Ichae.¡± ¡°Huh? Why?¡± ¡°¡­He seems to worry a lot.¡± ¡°Got it. But even if I don¡¯t say anything, won¡¯t Ichae find out?¡± ¡°He¡¯s been cooped up in thepanytely, working on the finalposition. He¡¯ll be fine.¡± While Hoyun coughed and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, Jeong Wonha, TEW¡¯s main vocal, peeked out from the opposite practice room. ¡°Hyung, are you very sick?¡± To Yeonhu, it seemed almost impossible that TEW¡¯s main vocal, who had shown no warm feelings for The Dawn until the first round and had treated Jeong Dajun coldly in the second, could have changed his attitude so dramatically. ¡­How did they end up like this? ¡°Today I¡¯m not feeling well¡­. Cough.¡± ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you rest if you¡¯re sick??¡± Yeonhu was initially skeptical about this peculiar rtionship. ¡­What¡¯s going on? Hoyun was acting too nonchntly. ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡± The more Hoyun and Wonha looked friendly, the more ufortable Yeonhu felt. Could he really not know? That Wonha was the main reason behind their maknae¡¯s mental breakdown. Yet, Yeonhu vividly remembered Hoyun pressing the elevator close button and smiling brightly. He knew it wasn¡¯t possible, yet a tiny speck of doubt continuously nagged at him. ¡°Great job today!¡± ¡°Good work~!¡± After the day¡¯s practice ended and everyone was leaving, Yeonhu spotted Hoyun squatting in the hallway. Jiwon was nowhere to be seen. With no one around, in the familiar territory of WH Entertainment, and Hoyun alone¡­ Phew, alright. Yeonhu hesitated for a moment before approaching him. I should be able to say this much. ¡°Seo Hoyun.¡± Feeling dizzy, Seo Hoyun, with his head buried in his arms, slightly lifted his eyes when called. Despite his hair sticking to his forehead with cold sweat, his eyes remained clear and sharp. ¡°Seong Jiwon?¡± ¡°¡­At the convenience store.¡± ¡°Ah, I see.¡± Kang Yeonhu crossed his arms and looked down. It was perfect timing. ¡°Can we talk for a sec¡ª¡± But Kang Yeonhu couldn¡¯t finish his question to the end. ¡°Ugh.¡± Because Seo Hoyun suddenly started to gag. Having held it in until now, the moment Seo Hoyun faced Kang Yeonhu, it was unclear whether he was genuinely sick or if it was a dig at him, saying something along the lines of ¡°seeing you makes me feel worse.¡± ¡°Wow, I almost threw up for real.¡± ¡°¡­Still, I¡¯m not that bad, am I??¡± Indeed, Seo Hoyun had picked the timing perfectly. Feeling irritated, Kang Yeonhu thought about just turning around and leaving but sighed instead. ¡°¡­I have something to say.¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± ¡°Are you close to TEW¡¯s main vocal?¡± Seo Hoyun looked at him as if he was asking about something absurd, then turned away and took out his phone. ¡°What if I am?¡± Despite Seo Hoyun¡¯s dismissive answer, Kang Yeonhu, determined to convey his message, brushed his hair back and continued. ¡°I saw the main vocal picking on your maknaest time. Seemed like he was intentionally provoking him.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I wonder if Jeong Dajun¡¯s mistake in the second round wasn¡¯t just a coincidence¡­.¡± He muttered, kicking the ground with his heel. ¡°So, getting too cozy with them might be a bit¡ª¡± ¡°I know.¡± ¡­He knew? It took Kang Yeonhu a moment to process his answer, and as he stared nkly, Seo Hoyun frowned and rubbed his forehead. Did this mean that it was okay for their maknae to be mentally broken down by TEW? ¡°¡­You knew?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°But why?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not for you to worry about.¡± Kang Yeonhu shut his mouth. Knowing that a fellow group member was aware, he thought it was overstepping to meddle further. ¡°Did youe here to tell me that? You¡¯re kinder than I thought.¡± ¡°¡­Was I being nosy?¡± ¡°Maybe. Or is it a trait of yourpany?¡± Just as Kang Yeonhu was about to leave, possibly to keep Hoyun from seeing his displeased faced¡­ ¡°Kang Yeonhu.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Why did you join the program?¡± This time, Seo Hoyun threw the question. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about it. Of all groups, why would High Five swallow their pride and appear in this program¡­ I¡¯ve been curious.¡± ¡°Did you think I¡¯d answer if you asked?¡± ¡°It seemed like you would.¡± Kang Yeonhu rolled his eyes. Well, it wasn¡¯t exactly a secret. ¡°We need new fans. Shining Star Season 1 proved that, didn¡¯t it? Not only did it boost The Dawn, but it also skyrocketed the poprity of all the participating groups.¡± ¡°High Five is already popr enough.¡± ¡°Hey, we can always climb higher.¡± ¡°¡­¡± However, Seo Hoyun kept staring intently. Umm¡­ It was a prating gaze. Honestly, it wasn¡¯t just about gaining new fans. WH Entertainment, being one of the top three agencies, had always dreamt of sess in the American market with each new group they debut. The desire to prate a broader market, the so-called ¡°American fever,¡± kept pushing Kang Yeonhu¡¯s group to the edge. Even if they debuted in America and failed, it wasn¡¯t like they couldn¡¯t continue activities. However, thebels that would follow haunted Kang Yeonhu. From usations of chasing the American dream without recognizing their own capabilities to being mocked for attempting what even ck Call didn¡¯t, all these were vivid in his mind. Despite countless objections, to thepany, he was just one among many idol groups. Eventually, Kang Yeonhu resigned himself to adapt obediently. Of course, they were still not quite ready. But there was no reason, nor the luxury, to exin all this to Seo Hoyun in detail, so Kang Yeonhu chose to smile rather than answer. ¡°Anyway, that¡¯s why thepany also pushed Joo Woosung-sunbae. To gain even a bit more poprity. Joo Woosung-sunbae is really popr, you know.¡± ¡°¡­Yeah.¡± Seo Hoyun seemed unimpressed by Kang Yeonhu¡¯s words or even by the mention of Joo Woosung. Suddenly, Kang Yeonhu remembered the first time he met Joo Woosung. In fact, having joined thepany before Joo Woosung, he remembered that moment vividly. It was then he realized. That all the grueling practice, self-discipline, charm, all that shit he had dedicated tens of thousands of hours to, was utterly unnecessary. That fresh shock was indescribable. ¡°Hello.¡± From the very beginning, Joo Woosung was already shining. He thought to himself, ¡°So this is the kind of person who bes a celebrity.¡± ¡°Honestly, it would be weirder if he wasn¡¯t popr.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°With that face, that talent, that personality. Even luck is on his side.¡± That¡¯s when he was hit with a harsh reality. He also thought he felt the emptiness of all the effort he had poured in. He was always desperate. During his long trainee life, he couldn¡¯t even count the number of failed debut attempts on one hand. When he was dropped from the debut lineup of ck Call, he wanted to give up on everything. Back then, living didn¡¯t feel like living at all. He had seen countless friends pack up and leave. Being known as ¡°the longest-serving trainee¡± was not an honor. There were many who sneered at him from behind. In those moments, Kang Yeonhu clenched his teeth. Promising himself that one day, he would sing his song under those shining lights, receiving everyone¡¯s cheers. Phew. When Joo Woosung suddenly said he wanted to improve his dancing skills and went to America, no one in thepany opposed it. To be able to speak so definitively, and to have the confidence that it¡¯s okay to take a long break. I was envious to death. ¡°I have something I want to ask too.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I wonder if Seo Hoyun knows why Joo Woosung is helping you, or not.¡± How Seo Hoyun, who wasn¡¯t even a ck Call member or from a famous group, managed to involve that Joo Woosung was beyond Kang Yeonhu no matter how much he thought about it. So, he wanted to see for himself at Shining Star. Seo Hoyun, whom he met in person, was a strategist. But that alone wouldn¡¯t have caught Joo Woosung¡¯s attention. Kang Yeonhu tilted his head. ¡°Is it because Seo Hoyun is nicer than expected? More affectionate? ¡­ I definitely don¡¯t think that¡¯s it.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°If that were the case, Joo Woosung would have liked us a long time ago.¡± Seo Hoyun¡¯s expression soured, but he said nothing. ¡°Do you know what was different about you?¡± Seo Hoyun was a strange guy. At first, Kang Yeonhu thought Seo Hoyun just had a sharp mind, but with his bold moves in Shining Star Season 1, his straightforward speech in the elevator, and recently getting along with TEW¡¯s main vocal who bullied his group¡¯s maknae. Seo Hoyun was hard to categorize. Hmm. However, as Kang Yeonhu got to know Seo Hoyun, he faintly felt something. That through all this, he was running straight toward some goal. The entertainment industry was a kind of swamp. The more you tried to walk forward, the deeper you sank into the mire. To be always followed by cameras, judged every second, and criticized for trivial things. How many could there be who wouldn¡¯t go mad, repeating moments when those who adored you just a moment ago turn their backs coldly, and those who embraced you change overnight? Only a very few who endured all that could bloom lotuses in this swamp. But that¡¯s not the end. Even then, many hastily faded away or fell ill. I think Joo Woosung almost did too. As Kang Yeonhu continued his thoughts, he locked eyes with Seo Hoyun. ¡°If it were me, I¡¯d be curious.¡± Seo Hoyun wasn¡¯t the type to care about public opinion. He only looked at the results he wanted. That might have been what drew Joo Woosung to him. Lost without his dreams and goals, Joo Woosung might have seen Seo Hoyun as a guide. ¡°Sigh, *cough*, *cough*¡­.¡± Seo Hoyun sighed at Kang Yeonhu¡¯s question and coughed for a while. ¡°Kang Yeonhu.¡± And then slowly parted his lips. ¡°But I¡¯m not curious.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Seo Hoyun used the ¡°I¡¯m not asking, so I¡¯m not interested¡± tactic. ¡°Seriously, what do you want from me since earlier¡­?¡± At the blunt reply, Kang Yeonhu was at a loss for words. Seo Hoyun looked at him pitifully with eyes reddened with anger. ¡°Why are you harassing a sick person with nonsense?¡± ¡°¡­Your rudeness isn¡¯t just an image, it¡¯s your real personality?¡± ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you have realized that when we were in the elevator?¡± As Seo Hoyun added that Kang Yeonhu was too slow, Kang Yeonhu awkwardly scratched his head. ¡°Really a unique person¡­¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Anyway, good luck. It seems like our vocal unit will probably take first ce.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, whatever.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Kang Yeonhu sighed and walked away. Still crouched, Seo Hoyun coughed out more and rubbed his forehead. ¡°Acting like he knows everything, damn¡­.¡± In fact, Seo Hoyun wanted to correct Kang Yeonhu while listening to his meddling. Joo Woosung is human too; how could all of that be easy? But he held himself back from saying it. ¡°¡­My goodness.¡± After all, to Seo Hoyun and Kang Yeonhu, Joo Woosung was just another person. Seo Hoyun, wiping the sweat trickling down his temple, nced at the blinking system window on one side. [Vocal Suppression Item! Temporarily lowers vocal ability by two levels. Duration: One week. However, your ability increases 1.5 times faster than usual. ¡ùWarning: Use may cause vomiting, gastritis, cold symptoms, and other adverse effects.] [Congrattions! You¡¯ve achieved Vocal A+! Your ability is still limited because you are wearing the Vocal Suppression Item. Symptoms will continue.] [Seo Hoyun, do you need an exnation? A stubborn mule who doesn¡¯t listen. Singing: B- (A+) Dance: B+ Variety: A- Acting: B+ Charm: A0 ???: ???] Pleased for a moment, Seo Hoyun¡¯s phone suddenly buzzed. ¨C Kang Ichae: ?? Seeing that, Seo Hoyun paused for a moment. ¨C Kang Ichae: Come out ¡°¡­¡± A few dayster. The performance and vocal unit stage began. Chapter 163 Chapter 163 On the day of the thirdpetition, at a caf¨¦ near the broadcast station. There, early in the morning, three Noeuls huddled together, shivering with hotttes in hand. ¡°O-O-Omg, it¡¯s thepetition today.¡± ¡°Sigh¡­¡± They were friends who, like wandering K-pop fans, had roamed around without settling until they bonded over their love for The Dawn. There were a few others, but only these three had won tickets to the third round. They were either trembling with nervous energy or repeatedly rubbing their faces with their hands. ¡°I¡¯m so so so nervous¡­ More than when I get my final grades¡­¡± Then, another person, having returned from the counter with coffee, cheerfully suggested,¡°Hey, it¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s take a ceremonial shot.¡± ¡°Are you going to upload it on YouTube?¡± ¡°How did you know? Am I going to buy a building with the profit from views of our Dawnies?¡± iming Kang Ichae as her ultimate favorite bias, she was shameless. From her bag, she took out a magic wand that could hold three photocard slots. ¡°Do you carry that around??¡± ¡°Why not? It¡¯d be great if they made one that could hold five. One for each kid.¡± ¡°Crazy¡­¡± Carrying it around might be a bit embarrassing for someone past their twenties, but it was perfect for YouTube content. Watching this, one of the Noeuls chuckled and pulled something out of her bag. ¡°Heh¡­¡± ¡°Holy!!!!!!¡± ¡°Damn!!¡± ¡°Hey! This!!¡± Three pairs of eyes quickly gathered. The ¡°Second Chance¡± photo card of Seo Hoyun. Taken while waiting at the dark MV shoot, Seo Hoyun¡¯s photo card, staring emotionlessly at the camera with his chin propped on his hand, was a rare item almost as valuable as plot ofnd in Gangnam. ¡°How did you buy this??¡± ¡°Sold my house for it.¡± The owner of the photocard, whose daily life was filled with exaggeration and fanciful talk, flipped her hair back. ¡°Today¡¯s cross unit? Seoho Yoon will handle it.¡± Then, she mmed the table. ¡°If this handsome bastard doesn¡¯t win! There¡¯s no future in K-pop!!¡± ¡°Fuck¡­, this guy¡¯s serious.¡± ¡°Over-investment legend¡­ But I agree.¡± They all nodded as if enchanted. The Noeuls, their fighting spirit fortified by Seo Hoyon¡¯s face, stood up abruptly. . . . ¡°The shooting will start soon!¡± ¡°The audience has all entered.¡± In the third cross-unitpetition, while the staff were busily running around giving instructions, the atmosphere among the contestants was quite subdued. The audience mood doesn¡¯t seem bad today. Though I greeted everyone with a smile, my gaze was fixed on Jeong Dajun. He looks so down. The always cheerful and never-endingughter had dimmed, like cabbage salted for kimchi. This probably stemmed from the harsh criticism directed toward our maknae. ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± I touched the corner of my mouth. I had intentionally left Jeong Dajun alone until now. It didn¡¯t seem like anything I did would cheer him up, and it might even hinder his growth. Besides¡­ ¡°He should do well on his own¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± Seeing Kang Ichae clicking his tongue quietly beside me, understanding what I was thinking just by looking at my eyes, made me lose any urge to help Jeong Dajun. This guy, who never flinched no matter my indifference and wouldn¡¯t budge until he dragged me to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with just a simple cold and gastritis¡­ harbored his resentment for a long time. ¡°The thirdpetition, the cross unit, begins now!¡± Even as Ha Seoyeon appeared on the TV in the waiting room, the members just quietly sipped water and kept to themselves. ¡°Vocal unit Team A¡¯s Seo Hoyun, pleasee out first!¡± The rehearsal was perfect, and my stats were up. Just as I was about to stand up and leave¡­ ¡°¡­Hyung!¡± Jeong Dajun quickly blocked my way. ¡°Uh, um.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Good luck.¡± It seemed he had chosen to support me after appearing a bit distant since the unit selection. Just looking at him, all innocent and slow-witted, he hesitated and seemed about to say more but then moved to leave. ¡°Jeong Dajun.¡± ¡°¡­Yes?¡± While calling him and tapping his shoulder, I lifted my index finger. I then poked at Jeong Dajun¡¯s cheek. Iughed at the sight. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± ¡°¡­¡­What, what¡­¡± ¡°Seo Hoyun, do well.¡± ¡°You too.¡± Leaving the confused Jeong Dajun behind, I headed out of the waiting room. Following the staff¡¯s direction, I moved backstage. Then, the VCR began to y. It featured many of my mistakes. Whether I went off-key, cut off a lyric, or cracked at the end. It also showed Team Aforting me. ¡°It will go up soon!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± TEW¡¯s main vocal, who was leisurely drinking water and warming up, quickly stuck by my side. ¡°Seo Hoyun, let¡¯s not be nervous and do well!!¡± Finally, as I checked my outfit and only giving him a side nce, Jeong Wonha gave a slight smile. Some of it was affection for me, a certain degree was calcted gestures, and the rest was a look filled with confidence about the oues thaty ahead. The problem is that it¡¯s all too obvious¡­ Yeah, where would you find genuine kindness in the jungle-like entertainment industry? If there hadn¡¯t been any benefit for him, TEW¡¯s main vocal wouldn¡¯t have even spoken to me. Well, maybe, at this point, this could be considered a sufficiently kind gesture in the cutthroat entertainment industry. ¡°Working with Seo Hoyun seems to have been a really good decision. At first, I was a bit hesitant, but after talking to you, I realized you¡¯re quite a nice person.¡± It was easy to find out who had rattled Jeong Dajun¡¯s mental state. It became clear just by looking at our maknae, who still couldn¡¯t control his expressions well, when we yed videos of each group¡¯s performances for analysis. After that, it was just a matter of confirming it. You should¡¯ve hidden it better if you were going to do it. But then again, he would have been caught anyway. Jeong Wonha shook Jeong Dajun because famous people like Joo Woosung, Lim Hyeonsu, and Min Jiheon were hanging around. To him, those seemingly insignificant guys buzzing around big shots must have been irritating. Thus, he targeted the easiest prey, our maknae. Knowing the reasons behind Jeong Wonha¡¯s actions made bing friends with him a piece of cake. Casually name-dropping Joo Woosung and Min Jiheon and hinting at the possibility of connecting him with them made me a ¡°nice person¡± in the eyes of TEW in no time. ¡°Ah~, I wish I had been the maknae of The Dawn.¡± ¡°¡­¡± I continued to nonchntly check my outfit. Seeing no reaction from me, Jeong Wonha looked a bit flustered. ¡°¡­Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡± After finally straightening out the wrinkles in the jacket¡­ ¡°Jeong Wonha.¡± I called out to Jeong Wonha. ¡°Next! Vocal unit Team A team is up!¡± As Ha Seoyeon¡¯s voice flowed from the stage, I couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Are you dating someone?¡± Amidst the roaring cheers directed at us, Jeong Wonha looked at me with a dumbfounded expression. ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°While I was waiting in the van on the way into the broadcasting station, I overheard fans whispering. They seemed pretty furious.¡± ¡°¡­¡± I might not have known how he acted in front of the fans, but I had caught on to the fact that he was dating. He looked utterly cornered, his eyes shaking uncontrobly, to which I taunted him. ¡°Looks like your poprity¡¯s going to be cut in half.¡± I added onestment. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay to go up on stage right now?¡± Leaving TEW¡¯s main vocal frozen like a broken machine, I climbed the stairs to the stage. ???? As the interlude yed, spotlights targeted five members, and as they appeared from the darkness, screams filled the air. ¡°Kyaaaah!¡± The audience swayed slowly from side to side to the gentle melody of the bad. The opening was led by Try¡¯s main vocal. ¡°Once you asked me, If I was okay, I must have looked uneasy.¡± His voice perfectly matched the song, significantly uplifting the atmosphere. Following him was the main vocal from High Five. ¡°I tried to say I¡¯m fine, I¡¯m okay, but the words got stuck in my throat, I couldn¡¯t let them out.¡± True to being the main vocal of a major agency, his voice was clear and appealing with precise sound processing. I pushed my in-ears deeper and, with a smile, lifted the mic to the audience. ¡°Maybe I was scared of the empty nights that were approaching.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± I felt the audience stir. ¡°The path was so dark, I couldn¡¯t see ahead, it wasn¡¯t easy to move forward.¡± Given that the VCR earlier had shown me missing beats and notes, making me seem like the weak link in the team, my vocals now surprisingly sounded much better. Yet, what I was truly waiting for was a different event. ¡°Because I¡¯m different from my younger self.¡± It was Jeong Wonha¡¯s part next. ¡°The more I knew, the more scared I got, breathlessly so, But then I raised my head and saw you¡± Jeong Wonha¡¯s voice wavered unstably. ¡°¡­so tender.¡± And he eventually hit a wrong note. ¡°Eyaa.¡± I quickly bowed my head to manage my expression. ¡°Kkuljaem.¡±[1] Jeong Wonha, realizing his mistake, tried to regain hisposure, but with the mishap, concerns about his love life and ranking caused him to mess up the beat as well. ¡°Your careful way of speaking made my breath shake with worry, So I¡­¡± The member from Bercy, because of the order, had to forcibly cover for the thoroughly scolded Jeong Wonha. But caught in the pace, he entered a bit too quickly. ¡°Sing here in front of you.¡± It went smoothly. ¡°Being with you, Makes me okay¡­¡± Next was supposed to be a duet between me and Jeong Wonha, but that guy couldn¡¯t even look me in the eye. Still, he seemed to try to finish the song somehow, but it was almost silent. Thanks to that, this part turned into my solo. ¡°Please watch over me, I¡¯ll always say I¡¯m fine because I¡¯m with you, I¡¯m okay.¡± The highlight where all five of us sang together was approaching. ¡°Our memories, our recollections, our days.¡± Looking at the audience, everyone was enchanted, moving their slogans and lightsticks left and right. Except for the fans of TEW, who looked displeased. ¡°I¡¯m happy because I¡¯m with you, because you¡¯re here I can believe in myself.¡± As we entered thetter part, everyone gradually regained theirposure and smoothly sailed through the lyrics. ¡°I will sing for you¡ª! At the climax, High Five¡¯s main vocal closed his eyes and sang the final verse. ¡°Because I¡¯m with you, I¡¯m okay, because you¡¯re here I can believe in myself, I will always sing.¡± The other members matched each other¡¯s gaze, blending their voices in harmony. Slowly lowering the mic, a thunderous cheer erupted momentster. I smiled faintly. *** ¡°Congrattions! The winners of the vocal unit are none other than Team B¡¯s ¡®Our Time Together¡¯!¡± ¡°Wow!¡± ¡°Also, the individual first ce from Team A ¡®Sing for You,¡¯ goes to Seo Hoyun of The Dawn. Congrattions! With this, the fifth ce of Team B, TEW¡¯s Joo Hyungjin, will have his scores added to Seo Hoyun¡¯s.¡± There was a bit of a disappointment. One miscalction was my assumption that Seong Jiwon from Team B would naturally secure first ce, but it turned out Kang Yeonhu had the highest individual score. The difference in fandom size and recognition seemed to have yed a significant role. Although Team A lost, since I secured the first ce, and with the scores of Team B¡¯sst ce added, the gap between Kang Yeonhu¡¯s score and mine wasn¡¯t significant. Moreover, whenparing thebined scores of Seong Jiwon and mine to that of Kang Yeonhu and High Five¡¯s main vocal, The Dawn was slightly ahead. In the end, we were the victors of the vocal unit. Ah~, feels good. Having achieved the desired oue, I felt relieved and took care of Seong Jiwon on our way back to the waiting room. ¡°Good work everyone!¡± shing a bright smile, I was greeting the other group members when Bercy¡¯s sub vocal called out to Seong Jiwon. They seemed to have gotten close while teaming up in Team B. I nodded respectfully to the staff members from a distance while waiting for Seong Jiwon. ¡°Amazing! Seo Hoyun, how you managed to keep yourposure and continue the performance in that situation! And you¡¯re getting better and better~!¡± ¡°Ahaha, thank you.¡± Just as Jiwon seemed about to wrap up the conversation, someone grabbed my shoulder and spun me around. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± It was Jeong Wonha, the main vocal of TEW, his face red and veins bulging with anger. Despite a mishap, he had managed to avoidst ce, finishing fourth, but he wasn¡¯t someone content with such a ranking. ¡°I just checked with the manager. No such rumor has been spread.¡± Of course. It was a bluff. I had only guessed he might have rosacea or was in a rtionship because he was always on his phone, blushing and chatting away. He had hidden it quite well. I thought he would spill the beans once we got closer, but being seasoned in the entertainment industry, he kept his lips sealed. Kim Jaeyeon did cross my mind, but time was short, and Jeong Wonha wasn¡¯t worth the effort. ¡°Why the fuck did you make up such a story and screw me over?!¡± When a few staff members turned their attention toward us, Jeong Wonha¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper. Luckily, themotion was loud enough that Seong Jiwon didn¡¯t seem to notice anything unusual. ¡°My mental state is fucked up because of that, and because of it, I messed up and ended up in fourth ce¡ª¡± ¡°Excuse me.¡± I looked at Jeong Wonha, who was whispering angrily, with a nonchnt expression. ¡°Is that my fault?¡± ¡°¡­!¡± One of the few things I was exceptionally good at was dodging me. This skill had been quite useful whenever I had to exin myself to the broadcasting station¡¯s director. ¡°Well, I guess you¡¯d want to shift the me. You messed up a significant portion of the performance because of your mistake, right?¡± ¡°¡­What did you say?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t delude yourself.¡± His face turned red and then pale. I tidied up my annoying earpiece and said slowly, ¡°Wonha made the mistake and hurt the team.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t pass the buck.¡± The guy, trembling with barely contained tears, hurried off. He hade to confront me in anger but soon realized causing more of a scene here wouldn¡¯t do any good. I usually wouldn¡¯t resort to such petty tactics, but this time, I wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine. I watched his retreating figure with indifference and turned to leave. Doesn¡¯t feel so great when you¡¯re the target, huh? Ding! [Hey, didn¡¯t you say everyone makes mistakes?] Exactly. Everyone could make mistakes. But whether I overlooked them or not was my decision to make. Iughed. ¡°Seo Hoyun.¡± A strong sense of rm red in my head, and I tried to send Seong Jiwon away first, but Kang Yeonhu spoke up faster. ¡°Is this why you pretended to be close to him? To get revenge because of Jeong Dajun and take first ce?¡± Shit! ¡°Thanks to Seo Hoyun, he¡¯spletely out of it right now. How could you shake his mental state like that just before the performance? He¡¯s going to have serious trauma.¡± Ah, shit! Don¡¯t talk about that when Seong Jiwon is right next to you! I made an effort not to look at Seong Jiwon, who was beside me. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t remember.¡± ¡°¡­Is this a hearing or something?¡± At my shamelessness, Kang Yeonhu rubbed his eyes as if he couldn¡¯t believe it, and then sighed. ¡°Well¡­ good job. You too, Seong Jiwon.¡± After dropping that bomb, he hurriedly left. ¡°¡­Seong Jiwon.¡± I was pondering how to mend the situation, but Seong Jiwon seemed remarkably calm. ¡°Why did you call?¡± As I fumbled for words, Seong Jiwon slightly turned his head and our eyes met. ¡°Is there something? Do you need help?¡± ¡°¡­No?¡± ¡°But why are you being so cautious¡­ Ah!¡± Rolling his eyes in thought and then quickly piecing things together, Seong Jiwon pped his hands. ¡°That vocal thing?¡± ¡°¡­??¡± ¡­What was he talking about? ¡°You knew?¡± ¡°¡­Wasn¡¯t it obvious?¡± Seong Jiwon was surprised, and he pushed my frozen self forward and started walking. ¡°Weren¡¯t we all acting knowing this? Ah, Dajun might not know.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± You knew all this time and never said a word? Even the other members? Catching a glimpse of my shocked expression, Seong Jiwon burst intoughter. ¡°Hoyun, do we still need to talk like this? It¡¯s been over a year since we got back together.¡± ¡°¡­Yeah.¡± ¡°You really act well. It¡¯s a pity you don¡¯t want to do it anymore.¡± Was this sarcasm? But knowing Seong Jiwon wasn¡¯t that kind of person, I mumbled as if to excuse myself. ¡°You don¡¯t like this kind of thing, do you?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°¡­Scheming.¡± As Seong Jiwon bowed to a passing staff member, he whispered, ¡°Yeah, I hate it a lot.¡± Then he turned back to me. ¡°But, because it¡¯s you.¡± With those words, Seong Jiwon shed a smile and went back to our waiting room. I quietly watched the direction in which Seong Jiwon disappeared. [¡­How can he say such a thing without even blinking?] ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying. I really find kids these days terrifying.¡± [Yes. Don¡¯t ever lie to Seong Jiwon again¡­ It seems like it won¡¯t work anymore¡­] ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Seong Jiwon was not someone to be underestimated. ¡°¡­Sigh.¡± Anyway, my part was over. I took care of TEW¡¯s main vocal who messed with Jeong Dajun, and by boosting my stats to A+, I also secured the victory for the vocal unit. I rubbed my neck, thinking, Jeong Dajun, I¡¯ve taken a small revenge for you. Now, it was up to Jeong Dajun to stand up for himself. [1] ?? (¡°kkuljaem¡±) literally trantes to ¡°honey fun¡± and is used to describe something that is extremely enjoyable or entertaining. Chapter 164 Chapter 164 When Seo Hoyun was strategizing and physically pushing himself toy the groundwork for the vocal unit, Jeong Dajun was suffering immensely. ¡°Okay~, let¡¯s try syncing up once more!¡± ¡°Jeong Dajun, just a bit more to the side¡­¡± ¡°¡­Why can¡¯t I do this?¡± Each time the performance unit attempted to synchronize their group choreography, mistakes kept repeating. It wasn¡¯t just because he wasn¡¯t ustomed to the members he was always with, but also because¡­ ¡°It¡¯s really strange, isn¡¯t it?¡± The territorial attitudes were no joke either. Aside from High Five¡¯s main dancer who cocked his head with an ambiguous expression, dancers from other groups took every opportunity tough at him when the camera wasn¡¯t rolling.¡°Aren¡¯t you used to it? Maybe because they¡¯re not the people you usually practice with?¡± ¡°¡­No, it¡¯s okay.¡± ¡°Sigh¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± It was a deliberate attempt to dampen his spirit. Unable to say anything more, Jeong Dajun wiped the sweat from under his chin. Seonghyeon-hyung, you said I had talent¡­ that I had something Jeong Dajun wasn¡¯t unaware of the reactions after the secondpetition. Had Seo Hoyun known, he would have scolded him to practice more instead of spending time on such thoughts, but he too was an ordinary person who, despite his fears, wanted to check what was being said about him. [Jeong Dajun is just so-so] [The hyungs coddle him too much?? Saying everything he does is okay, so it seems like he¡¯s cking in practice] Am Izy? He had long realized that being the maknae meant his mistakes were more readily forgiven. ¡°Dajun!¡± Was this the right moment to extend my right arm? ¡°Sigh¡­ Jeong Dajun.¡± Or should I turn my head instead? ¡°Dajun!!¡± Was he now holding back the rest of his hyungs? Perhaps The Dawn would have been better off as four instead of five. Such thoughts tangled up whenever he hesitated. At a young age, he had learned true fear, momentarily losing the bold courage to charge forward. ¡°¡­¡± Seeing Jeong Dajun biting his lips, the main dancer from High Five approached and tapped his shoulder. ¡°¡ªUh, um¡­ Do you want to take a break?¡± But. ¡°No.¡± He couldn¡¯t stop now. ¡°I¡¯ll continue.¡± Otherwise, he felt like he would be truly left behind and isted. Constant practice seemed better. He moved relentlessly, enough to slightly annoy Joo Woosung, whoter came as a mentor. ¡°Jeong Dajun, standby!¡± At the staff¡¯s call from the waiting room, Jeong Dajun took a deep breath and stood up from his chair. Kim Seonghyeon grabbed his arm. ¡°Jeong Dajun, do you want some calming pills?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m okay.¡± ¡°¡­Really?¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± His hands were still shaking. He wanted to whine to his hyungs, wanting to stop right then and there. But Jeong Dajun didn¡¯t. ¡°A bit of nervousness is¡­ good, Woosung-hyung said so.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to go on looking too rxed.¡± While Kim Seonghyeon made a strange expression, Jeong Dajun repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists. ¡°Seonghyeon-hyung, I practiced hard¡­ So, I¡¯ll do well ande back.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°And Ichae-hyung, I need a little¡­¡± Kang Ichae, who had drawn closer, hooked his arm around Jeong Dajun¡¯s neck and whispered in his ear, ¡°Jeong Dajun, even if you make a mistake.¡± ¡°Uh-huh.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no embarrassment as big as Hoyun-hyung¡¯s.¡± ¡°¡­Is this really okay?¡± Seeing Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s doubtful expression, Jeong Dajun let out a briefugh, seeming to rx a bit. Then, after making eye contact with Kim Seonghyeon and Kang Ichae, he left the waiting room. It¡¯s a pity not to see Hoyun-hyung and Jiwon-hyung before I leave. ¡°Jeong Dajun, let¡¯s check your outfit onest time.¡± ¡°Jeong Dajun! Standby over here.¡± After the calls from many staff members passed, Jeong Dajun stood backstage in the dark. The deep shadows covered his tinum blonde hair and crept down his face. ¡°Dajun.¡± As he bowed his head to calm his mind, TEW¡¯s main dancer came over. ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous! You can do well.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Even without the members, you have to do well alone, right?¡± Jeong Dajun couldn¡¯t tell if the interest people showed in him was genuine kindness or merely malice in disguise. It¡¯s confusing¡­ Being an only child, showered with love from rtives to parents, he never needed to be aware of others¡¯ gazes. Even after entering the entertainment industry, he was clueless in this regard. Having spent time with Seo Hoyun and experiencing various situations helped him understand to some extent, but he couldn¡¯t always grasp it. Furthermore, on this side, there were four hyungs who were pro-level. They always covered everything up even before it was his turn. But now, Jeong Dajun was alone. Is this person serious, or not? Honestly, he still didn¡¯t have confidence in doing well in the performance unit. People couldn¡¯t change overnight, after all. ¡°Jeong Dajun, do you feel wronged?¡± Dajun would sometimes recall the moment when the double contract issue blew up.[1] Always with a nk face and harsh words, but someone who, no matter what, would stand by his side to the end. That¡¯s when he said¡­ ¡°If you feel you have been wronged, just ignore people¡¯s nonsense and live more boldly as you deserve. Then, eventually, people will forget, or the real issue will be resolved.¡± At that time, Jeong Dajun felt suffocated. What was the use of living upright all by himself? In the end, nothing was resolved. ¡°But when you still feel upset about being deceived, when you can¡¯t help but remember it every time you lie down even after enough time has passed, there¡¯s only one way to resolve it quickly.¡± However, Seo Hoyun responded lightly, as if talking about something very simple. ¡°All you have to do is prove that you¡¯re right. Simple, right?¡± [2] And he really did prove it with his actions. The sight of Seo Hoyun entering the doors of Daepaseong Entertainment with a contract became a memory deeply engraved in Jeong Dajun¡¯s life. So¡­ ¡°Sigh¡­¡± ¡°¡­?¡± Just like Seo Hoyun had shown, Jeong Dajun also wanted to prove it. That he truly was a member of The Dawn. That the hyungs who were proud of him were right. Therefore, he too must be a righteous person as acknowledged by his hyungs. Right. Jeong Dajun stopped trying to read something off the face of TEW¡¯s main dancer standing next to him. Let¡¯s just ept it. Jeong Dajun nodded. ¡°Right?¡± The man standing in front had a cryptic expression, but Jeong Dajun didn¡¯t mind. ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s a bit worrisome without the hyungs.¡± ¡°¡­?¡± ¡°But the hyungs said I have talent. More than anyone else here. And¡­ I absolutely trust what my hyungs say.¡± ¡°Well¡­.¡± ¡°So!¡± Jeong Dajun lifted his face brightly. Then, after a long breath, he showed a bright smile. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ll do well.¡± To TEW¡¯s main dancer, who stood speechless and taken aback by the force of his presence, Jeong Dajun winked. ¡°Ahahaha! Thanks for the support. Fighting!!¡± ¡°¡­??¡± ¡°Jeong Dajun! Let¡¯s turn the stage upside down!! Even if we mess up, we won¡¯t be as embarrassed as Hoyun-hyung!!!¡± Dajun could feel the gaze of TEW¡¯s main dancer but quickly turned his head. It was something he no longer needed to ponder about. He took that step, one he wouldn¡¯t regret. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Dajun!!¡± To the stage. *** ¡°Hey, did the maknae already leave??¡± The first thing that caught my eye when I returned was Jeong Dajun¡¯s empty spot. He seemed to have already gone out to standby. Sitting heavily on the sofa in the waiting room and drinking water, Kim Seonghyeon was groaning. ¡°¡­Ugh.¡± Although he tried to appearposed in front of Jeong Dajun, the worry was inevitable, his expression anxious. Kim Seonghyeon, staring at the TV in the waiting room, pressed his face into his sped hands and tightly closed his eyes. ¡°¡­Maybe I should have gone out instead.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Although that was my response, I couldn¡¯t remain calm either. I hope the performance unit gets first ce. But more than that, I was worried about Jeong Dajun¡¯s mental state. Swallowing a sigh, I turned away, only to lock eyes with Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae, who were whispering to each other. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Oh, just thinking you¡¯re being a bit overprotective.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± Kim Seonghyeon and I stared dumbfounded at Kang Ichae, but Seong Jiwon gestured with his head. ¡°Ah. It¡¯s starting.¡± The performance unit¡¯s music started with a famous pop song that had a fast tempo and finely chopped beat fitting perfectly. ¡°Whatever you say Nothing can stop this feeling now!¡± The anxiety amplified as the High Five main dancer started flying around from the very beginning. ¡­He¡¯s doing well. When youpare a hundred years to a single day, twenty years was still a time when dawn hasn¡¯t broken. It was natural to be clumsy and immature. I thought it was only natural to lead by example. ¡°There¡¯s Dajun!¡± However, that thoughtpletely vanished during Jeong Dajun¡¯s solo performance. Boom, boom-boom, boom¡­ On the stage, draped in darkness, Jeong Dajun stood alone under the white spotlight pouring down from above. He was wearing ripped light blue jeans, a sleeveless white T-shirt, and a ck rider jacket. Though he was dressed simply, as if in his everyday clothes rather than stage outfits, it somehow made his dance lines more visible and focused. The cheers of the fans slowly died down, and Jeong Dajun, who had been standing still with a cap pressed down on his head, gradually lifted his head to the beat. Boom, boom-boom. His gaze shone fiercely. At times, it seemed to carry the intimidating aura of Kim Seonghyeon, while his calm,posed eyes resembled Seong Jiwon. The slight ease in his demeanor was reminiscent of Kang Ichae. ¡°¡­What?¡± Jeong Dajun, following the rhythm, lifted his right arm and tapped the cap he was wearing. Then, he lifted the corners of his mouth in a yful smile. ¡°Kyaaaaa!¡± A roaring scream spilled into the dressing room. At the same time, a fierce rock beat that seemed to swallow everything began. With not a single beat out of ce, Jeong Dajun, with sharp movements, swung his left arm wide. ¡°The moment you saw me, it was like being struck by lightning! You wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything, You¡¯ve never seen something like this.¡± It was surprising when he performed rock with Kang Ichae for the self-produced content before, but Jeong Dajun¡¯s prerecorded voice fitted the song as if he was born with it. ¡°I know, you pretend not to know, but you¡¯ve been waiting for me.¡± The staff in the dressing room came closer with a camera to film our reaction, but we were too captivated to give a broadcast-worthy response. ¡°I will give you a ride! You can¡¯t hide your surprise, I know, Nothing can stop me now.¡± It was because we were mesmerized by Jeong Dajun. He was simply too good. ¡°What¡¯s with him?¡± Even without the hedgehog filter, even if you erased his facepletely, it was the same. ¡°Hey babe! I will give a ride, You can¡¯t even get off, just gripping the handle tightly?¡± Though still rough around the edges, his sense and sensibility for dance were unparalleled. ¡°Breathe in and out, in and out, Don¡¯t be scared, you wanted to ride.¡± Then, Jeong Dajun threw the cap he was wearing high into the air, kicked his feet forward, flipped backward, and then caught the cap on the rebound. He then lifted the corners of his mouth and threw the cap toward the audience. ¡°Honestly, I was scared, feeling like everything would end this way., But once you told me¡­¡± Boom-boom-boom! ¡°You are with me now!¡± His tinum blonde hair shimmered under the blue lights. ¡°I will give you a ride, babe!¡± As the drums furiously sped toward the end of the song, Jeong Dajun powerfully kicked his right foot toward the camera and ran into the center stage. ¡°Aaaaah!¡± Someone in the audience excitedly waved Jeong Dajun¡¯s cap. Seeing this, Jeong Dajun passed by with a smirk, which the camera captured. ¡°Or Give me your kiss, that also works!¡± Backup dancers, dressed simrly to Jeong Dajun, rushed in from both sides of the stage. Yet, the most shining presence was undoubtedly Jeong Dajun. Therge group¡¯s movement split dynamically, presenting a crumping that was overwhelming in its controlled intensity and power. ¡°What are you waiting for? You are with me, What are you waiting for? Ooh Please, don¡¯t be afraid.¡± ¡°¡­Wow.¡± The melody of the electric guitar was dazzling. Jeong Dajun, swinging his arm down as if punching the floor, bent his waist and licked his lips while looking at the camera. ¡°I will give you Ah what?¡± Surrounded by the backup dancers, the choreography flowed seamlessly as if they were one body. ¡°Say it again, I will give you Ah what?¡± As the backup dancers covered his eyes with their hands, Jeong Dajun mouthed the lyrics, eliciting screams from the Nouels. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right!¡± Jeong Dajun twisted his lips, matched his gaze with the approaching camera, and thrust his hips while cing one hand on his thigh. With the rock melody booming as if about to explode, he demonstrated powerful movement with precision and force, then lifted his head, revealing his pronounced canines with a bright smile. ¡°¡­Wow.¡± ¡°???¡± As Jeong Dajun¡¯s vigorous movements halted, the music stopped, and the lights went out. Afterward, following the performance of TEW¡¯s main dancer as the fifth act, a group performance began with the song of the currently hottest international boy band. There, too, Jeong Dajun shone the brightest. ¡°Believe me, won¡¯t regret!¡± After the performance unit¡¯s group stage ended, the camera closely captured the ending poses of each group¡¯s members. When it was Jeong Dajun¡¯s turn, he showed his hand with the thumb tucked in and four fingers spread out, as if to encourage voting for number 4¡ªhis number. Then, yfully kissing each finger, he blew a hand kiss and winked. ¡°¡­¡± The dressing room was silent. Among the members who had seen the whole stage, only silence lingered. Everyone seemed to be choosing their words carefully on how to start the conversation. Cheers for the idol they were supporting could be heard. It wasn¡¯t just my imagination that Jeong Dajun¡¯s name sounded particrly loud. ¡°¡­Hey. That guy¡ª¡± But in the end. ¡°¡ªmust have practiced the ending to death.¡± Only awkwardly circled words came out. ¡°That¡¯s right, must have been taught by Ichae.¡± ¡°Truly a case of the pupil outshining the teacher~.¡± Kim Seonghyeon, who had been silent, scratched his head in amazement, thenughed for a while as if relieved. And, murmuring to himself, he said, ¡°There was no need to worry.¡± Iy back on the sofa with a somewhat empty expression. ¡°How is it, hyung?¡± Kang Ichae leaned toward me with a yful smile. ¡°Admit it, overprotection acknowledged, right?¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± And then¡­ ¡°Ta-da!!¡± Thirty minutester, Jeong Dajun returned, face smeared with tears and snot, holding up the unit¡¯s first-ce trophy in one hand and smiling brightly. ¡°Herees the totally cool adult, Jeong Dajun!!¡± [1] See end of Episode 72 for when it started. [2] See Episode 73 for this dialogue. Chapter 165 Chapter 165 [Guys¡­ ???????????] The reaction to Jeong Dajun¡¯s performance on SNS was explosive. [I was so worried about Dajun, I wanted to support him by saying everything he does is the best¡­ but in the end, it turns out I didn¡¯t need to worry at all¡­ ???? ??ah???!!!!!!! ???It¡¯s driving me crazy???] [I really cried my eyes out¡­ It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve felt this happy while crying, at the end, when he blew a hand kiss< my tears just stopped, crazy¡­] [I never intended to love him this much, now I¡¯m overly invested, beyond being proud, it¡¯s heartbreaking, bittersweet, hrious, ah fuck, I just freaking love Jeong Dajun??????????] Clearly, there were mixed opinions within the fandom about the secondpetition. Since it hadn¡¯t been pre-released or aired yet, everyone was careful with their words, but rumors that ¡°Jeong Dajun tore up the stage¡± couldn¡¯t be stopped. ¡°Tasty.¡±While fans were desperately searching for any new content, crying and making a fuss, Jeong Dajun was busy eating meat that the manager and road manager were grilling, with the members serving diligently. ¡°Does it taste good?¡± ¡°Yes!!¡± After filming the thirdpetition, on such an emotional day, it was decided that eating meat was a must, and the members followed the manager, who lifted his corporate card above his head like a triumphant general returning from battle. I nced up with only my eyes to see the stats floating above Jeong Dajun¡¯s head. [I¡¯m so proud of Jeong Dajun, I only want to feed him Korean beef.] Did you raise Jeong Dajun? [Singing: B- Dance: A- Variety: B+ Acting: C- Charm: B+ ??? : ???] Looking at him, I seemed to understand why Jeong Dajun was particrly anxious. Are stats really everything? As I pondered where the differencey, Jeong Dajun, gnawing on a rib, scanned the members with his eyes. ¡°Hyungs.¡± He then put down the cleanly eaten bone and said, ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s good having the maknae around, right?¡± ¡°Of course~!!¡± Seong Jiwon, who was next to him, ced a new bone with plenty of meat on it into Jeong Dajun¡¯s rice bowl and cooed over him, causing Jeong Dajun to smirk contentedly. In the actual group performance, Jeong Dajun truly dominated the stage. Although the main dancer of High Five wasn¡¯t overshadowed, the rest noticeably faltered. In the audience vote, he was slightly behind High Five, but with the expert scores, Jeong Dajun had the advantage. Eventually, The Dawn clinched the first ce in the performance unit. High Five was second, TEW was third. It was said that the maknae had beaten all the famous contenders to take first ce. ¡°Eat a lot.¡± ¡°Yes!!¡± Well, after crying so much, he must be really hungry. ¡°But how did you do so well? You were even better than in rehearsal.¡± ¡°Oh, that! Hoyun-hyung gave me advice.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Think of the other contestants as losers¡­¡± ¡°Wait¡­!¡± ¡°Hey!! Did you really say that to a kid??¡± ¡°Well, he¡¯s an adult now, so¡­¡± Kim Seonghyeon, who was pouring cider into Jeong Dajun¡¯s ss, looked at me with a bitter face. Jeong Dajun nced back and forth between me and Kim Seonghyeon and quickly continued. ¡°Well, there was that¡­ but there¡¯s more! Hyung also said that if I ever feel wronged, I should first lie down on my bed and think¡­¡± ¡°¡­To just sleep on it?¡± ¡°Uh, that¡¯s not it¡­¡± Trying hard to remember, Jeong Dajun eventually gave up and grabbed some lettuce. ¡°Ah, whatever. Who cares?¡± He then topped it with about five pieces of meat and confidently added kimchi before stuffing it into his mouth in one go. ¡°I di¡¯ wel¡¯, di¡¯n¡¯ I?¡± Jeong Dajun grinned. I smiled back. ¡°Our maknae is all grown up~.¡± What followed was a joyful meat party. Because of the unexpectedly high bill, I had to swipe the corporate card on behalf of the trembling manager and walked out of the restaurant. Indeed, meals paid for withpany money tasted the best. Patting my satisfied stomach, I noticed Kang Ichae clinging to Jeong Dajun and whining in front of the van. Jeong Dajun, seemingly annoyed by the nagging, was murmuring something as he stroked his chest. ¡°Dajun, you¡¯re an adult now, an adult. Let¡¯s easily ignore this kind of provocation¡­¡± ¡°Right, right~.¡± ¡°¡­Ignore it.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re an adult, you should be able to overlook this much~.¡± ¡°¡­ignore¡­¡± ¡°Our Dajuni is the coolest adult~¡± ¡°Ah!!! Seriously!!¡± After watching the usual bickering, I turned to Seong Jiwon, Kim Seonghyeon, and the managers. ¡°I¡¯m going to stop by thepany before heading to the dorm.¡± ¡°Eh? Why?¡± ¡°I need to meet with the nning team for a bit.¡± As I went through Shining Star Season 2, I realized there was something I needed to think about. ¡°Then go with the road manager. It¡¯s dangerous to go by yourself.¡± Though I wanted to move freely without dragging anyone along, the manager¡¯s concern was not unfounded. Acknowledging his point, the manager whispered something to the road manager. ¡°See you back at the dorm.¡± After saying goodbye to the members, I caught a taxi with the road manager. As the final stage approached, the oue seemed almost predictable. The results of the secondpetition were made up for by our cross-unit performance. So, now our score put us in second ce, right behind High Five. It seemed unlikely that Bercy and Try, battling for fourth and fifth ces, would be able to climb any higher, but TEW was a bit of a wild card. ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± It was because of the scoring system for the final. Until now, all voting had been done on-site, but the final relied solely on live voting. Moreover, the points were going to be tripled, making it unpredictable how the rankings might shift. Is first ce possible? No, it had to be. There was a surefire way to clinch first ce. ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± This was, well, just¡­ ¡°¡­Today¡¯s performance was impressive.¡± Perhaps because I had been quietly staring out the window, the road manager spoke up. It was a bit unusual since he was normally silent and focused on his work. I wondered if my expression didn¡¯t look too good. ¡°Ah, thank you.¡± ¡°I mean it sincerely.¡± With that, the road manager turned his gaze forward again and said no more. A bitter, thepany building came into view. ¡°Ah, please let me off here.¡± After getting off the taxi and entering thepany, I sent the road manager home and began to walk when I noticed someone crouching near the first-floor elevator. It was Min Jiheon, sucking on a coffee straw. ¡°Ah!¡± I intended to pass by without notice, but Min Jiheon, with a bright expression, deliberately stood up to block my path. ¡°Awesome! I was just about to text you.¡± It had been almost half a year. His light brown hair fluttered gently. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Wow~, I really missed this prickly tone of yours.¡± ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± ¡°Ahaha, do we only meet when we need something?¡± Obviously. Min Jiheon took a frappino out from the drink carrier he had set on the ground and offered it to me. He wasn¡¯t one to y with food, so I epted it, but he dallied in front of me without getting to the point. ¡°It¡¯s too much to only see each other once in half a year, even if we¡¯re both busy.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen you plenty.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Jeong Dajun had been secretly watching Min Jiheon¡¯s movies in the dorm and sobbing nonstop. In the disaster movie, Min Jiheon, who dreamed of bing a firefighter as a college student, proved his title as a guaranteed sess by ultimately hitting ten million viewers. ¡°¡ªAh!! You mean you watched my movie?¡± ¡°No, I didn¡¯t watch it because I dislike you.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Jeong Dajun did.¡± Seeing Min Jiheon pouting as if he was offended made me feel better. ¡°Did youe to get an autograph for your sister?¡± ¡°¡­How did you know?¡± ¡°You hurriedly came with a shopping bag, how could I not?¡± Besides, he had waited in front of thepany with my favorite menu item. I stretched out my hand to him while sucking on the straw. ¡°Give it.¡± ¡°???¡± Min Jiheon¡¯s eyes widened as if he hadn¡¯t expected that. ¡°Before I change my mind, hurry.¡± ¡°¡­Uh, yes.¡± He quickly took out an album and bromides from the shopping bag. ¡°There¡¯s quite a lot.¡± I popped open the pen cap with my mouth and started signing, and Min Jiheon squinted his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s rare for you to do this so willingly.¡± ¡°I would never do it for you. I¡¯m doing it because your younger sibling is a Noeul.¡± ¡°Uhm. Thanks.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re thankful, maybe you should have a meal with Jeong Dajunter.¡± ¡°¡­Eh?¡± Min Jiheon blinked and then slightly covered his mouth with his hand. ¡°Wow, what? Really?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Ahaha, did you actually get attached to the members? I knew hyung was soft-hearted, but this seems fast?¡± ¡°Min Jiheon, seems like you¡¯re full of crap today as well.¡± I pushed the signed items toward Min Jiheon with a sneer. Despite frowning slightly, he carefully put them back into the shopping bag. ¡°Well~, it¡¯s good to see you looking healthy. It¡¯s nice to have good people around.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Why would you worry about me?¡± ¡°I care about hyung more than you think.¡± Min Jiheon responded nonchntly and then sucked on his coffee again. ¡°Anyway, thanks. Chaeyeon will really like this. She¡¯s been having a hard time because of thepetitiontely.¡± ¡°Is that so.¡± ¡°Why does she worry so much? She could just like me.¡± ¡°Younger siblings are always like that¡­¡± I replied absentmindedly, then quickly shut my mouth. However, unlike his na?ve actions, the quick-witted guy swiftly caught onto that word. ¡°Younger sibling?¡± I made a mistake. I never brought up the topic of siblings at work because I couldn¡¯t predict what kind of impact it would have. As I turned my gaze away, Min Jiheon¡¯s eyes followed me intently. ¡°¡­You have a sibling?¡± That was when it happened. ¡°Wow~!! What are you all doing here?¡± Startled by the new voice that cut between Min Jiheon and me, I turned around to find the manager staring at us. ¡°¡­What are you doing here, Manager? Didn¡¯t you leave for the dorms and then head home?¡± ¡°I still haven¡¯t reported back yet and¡­¡± The manager trailed off, ncing at Min Jiheon with a quick flick of his eyes. Following his gaze, Min Jiheon, who had been silent for a moment, suddenly smiled. ¡°Ah, hello~.¡± ¡°Hello, Mr. Min Jiheon! I recently watched your movie and cried my eyes out!!¡± Since when was the manager a fan of Min Jiheon? The manager, oblivious to my re, was blushing and even went as far as to shake hands with Min Jiheon. If I left them be, they seemed like they would wave goodbye endlessly, so I pulled the manager back and nudged at Min Jiheon. ¡°If you¡¯re done here, it¡¯s time for you to leave, Min Jiheon.¡± ¡°Yes, I was nning to.¡± However, contrary to his response, Min Jiheon lingered even after gathering his shopping bags. He acted as if he had something more to say. Hurry up, just go. ¡°Do you have any other business?¡± My manager asked, his eyes sparkling. ¡°¡­Ahaha, no, I should be going.¡± Min Jiheon nced at me briefly before shrugging his shoulders. ¡°Thanks for the autograph~.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°If there¡¯s anything, contact me.¡± ¡°¡­?¡± I frowned slightly, but as Min Jiheon stepped away, he dropped a bomb. ¡°Keep fighting, hyung.¡± Fuck! He was someone who could never just smoothly pass by. I clicked my tongue while ring in the direction he disappeared, then the manager¡¯s voice reached me. ¡°¡­But why did he call Hoyun ¡®hyung¡¯??¡± ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°Ah!!¡± The manager was startled. ¡°Is this¡­ over-immersion?¡± ¡°Haah¡­¡­¡± ¡°Do you two still immerse yourselves in your roles from Please Take the Camera whenever you meet?¡± It was indeed better to be clueless at times like this. I sighed deeply and gave a look, but our manager just gazed at me with eyes full of admiration. ¡°Min Jiheon¡¯s method acting is on another level, but our Hoyun is really amazing too!!¡± It¡¯s not the level of method, it¡¯s the level of madness¡­ Watching the manager make a fuss as if we were the best, I made a face as if I had eaten a sour plum. In some ways, Min Jiheon was indeed a madman. Why is it always so unsettling every time? Regardless, there was something more important than Min Jiheon. After parting with our manager, I headed to the nning team, thinking about how to decorate the final stage. The announcement for Shining Star¡®s finalpetition was quickly approaching. Chapter 166 Chapter 166 The day for the finalpetition was approaching rapidly. While we busily prepared for the cross-unit, Kang Ichae was holed up working on songs and had already prepared several candidates for the final. ¡°¡­Huff, it¡¯s here.¡± At the first shoot, The Dawn received zero votes,nding us inst ce, but now, we were a strong contender for victory, stronger than anyone else. Even more so, if we were to go by the total scores received so far, we were in second ce, hot on the heels of High Five. The air, grown stagnant since the show¡¯s beginning, now filled with sharp nces directed at us. Soon, all the participants gathered, and the lights dimmed. ¡°Wow!¡± People murmured in surprise as a VCR video started ying, briefly recapping thepetitions held so far.The Dawn was the fourth one featured. [THE DAWN] From our initial meeting, through the ¡°Say You Love Me¡± duet with Seong Jiwon, to Kang Ichae¡¯s selfposed rap and Lia Purple¡¯s ¡°Easy Tempo,¡± and the oriental-style hip-hop ¡°Fantasy Reincarnation,¡± culminating in Jeong Dajun¡¯s standout performance in ¡°Ride With You.¡± Kim Seonghyeon, who was quietly watching the screen next to me, drew a slight smile. ¨C ¡°We will now begin the briefing for the finalpetition of Shining Star Season 2.¡± As the VCR video ended, MC Ha Seoyeon appeared with a mechanical voice. ¡°Hello, did you enjoy the video?¡± ¡°Yes~!¡± The tension eased a bit as everyone reflected on the efforts they had made. ¡°The evaluation method will be the same as the previouspetitions. However¡­¡± Ha Seoyeon snapped her fingers, and a giant live hall and stage were disyed on the screen. ¡°It will be conducted via live broadcast, not on-site voting. And the total score will be determined bybining the music scores released a week earlier with the live voting scores.¡± Live voting. That was what was giving me the biggest headache right now. Having experienced Season 1, I knew the broadcast well, but Kim Heeyeon, fair by nature, wouldn¡¯t edit the footage to favor The Dawn alone. Even with viewership ratings at stake, it wouldn¡¯t be easy. Hmm. I mulled over the various conditions and situations I had already thought through countless times. Bercy and Try¡ªthey weren¡¯t bad, but they failed to stand out, staying in the lower ranks despite their initial strong showing. TEW¡ªsomewhat ambiguous, but not a major concern. In the end, all that remained was High Five. Hmmmm. Honestly, I felt a bit anxious. I had a grasp on the onsite votes. Except for when we werest, the rankings were more or less as I expected them to be. But live voting was a big variable, and currently, it was tough for The Dawn topete with High Five¡¯s poprity. At least a good song could possibly draw the public¡¯s response, but it was difficult to earn their votes with such a mundane narrative. As I was lost in my thought and stroking my chin¡ª ¨C ¡°Hello! This is Han Chaeri!¡± ¡°Wow!¡± Perhaps wanting to extract more footage for the final, a video message from the mentors was yed. Unlike Joo Woosung, who was often edited out for being biased, Han Chaeri had genuinely paid equal attention to everyone. ¨C ¡°I¡¯m also very nervous, but the effort you¡¯ve put in so far will never betray you. Fight until the end!¡± ¡°She¡¯s like a real angel!¡± ¡°It was really scary during practice¡­¡± Despite her fame, she didn¡¯t act superior and treated all the participants equally, pouring her passion and effort into them, which seemed to have moved everyone. After Han Chaeri¡¯s bright greeting, Joo Woosung appeared. ¨C ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Joo Woosung.¡± Woosung looked somewhat subdued. Even Ha Seoyeon, skilled in managing her expressions, paused for a moment. Joo Woosung fiddled with his fingers as he slowly shared his thoughts on thepetition. ¨C ¡°There¡¯s a lot on my mind as we approach the finalpetition. I¡¯ve learned a lot from watching the contestants so far.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¨C ¡°There¡¯s a lot I want to say, but if I could give one piece of advice before the finalpetition, it would be this.¡± He seemed to hesitate for a moment before looking straight at the camera. ¨C ¡°I hope you do your best so that you won¡¯t have any regrets.¡± Seeing a different side of Woosung, everyone seemed enchanted, even though they hadn¡¯t received much help from him. Meanwhile, I felt somewhat out of ce as I was too preupied with how to secure first ce. ¡°¡­¡± When I looked up, my eyes met with Kang Yeonhu¡¯s. He smiled faintly, as if showing theposure of a winner in advance. After the mentor¡¯s video concluded, Ha Seoyeon¡¯s expressionpletely changed. ¡°Not just the mentors. For the finalpetition, the production team has specially invited a guest. This person will help you achieve the best results.¡± Who else could they possibly bring? ¡°Let¡¯s wee the special guest!¡± I turned my gaze toward the entrance with lukewarm interest. Considering Woosung was already a mentor, it couldn¡¯t be another ck Call member, so at most, I thought it would be Yu Jia from Season 1. But¡­ ¡°The Midas touch! The heart of K-pop¡ª!¡± Bright, colorful lights gathered toward the entrance. ¡°¡ªBlue Tiger, Composer Lim Hyeonsu!¡± Why was she here when she was supposed to be in the US? ¡°Woww!!¡± ¡°¡­Cough.¡± Kang Ichae, sitting in the back, seemed startled as he coughed at the announcement. Where did the disheartened look Ist saw go? Lim Hyeonsu, with apletely confident face, strode in and swept back her hair with a flourish. ¡°This, this¡­¡± Then, slightly lowering her angr ck sunsses, she winked at the camera. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the face everyone¡¯s been looking for?¡± Even then, not quite satisfied, she turned to me and with a bang! struck a gun-shooting pose. Oh, my goodness¡­ I just hoped this scene wouldn¡¯t make it on air. . . . ¡°Seo Hoyun~!¡± Today wasn¡¯t even a day for a major shoot yet I was already feeling unnecessarily tired. As I was about to head quickly to the van, a message made me drag my weary body to the smoking room. ¡°Long time no see?¡± There was Lim Hyeonsu, drawing deeply on her cigarette before blowing out a stream of white smoke. ¡°Couldn¡¯t quit smoking, I see?¡± ¡°Seeing how smug you are, looks like you¡¯re still hanging in there.¡± ¡°Obviously.¡± Lim Hyeonsu, clicking her tongue as if disappointed, suddenly pushed her face close to mine, examining me from every angle. ¡°Wow~, look at this guy¡¯s radiant face. Been living well?¡± ¡°Well, gotta eat well at least. It seems like Composer¡¯s skin got a bit tanned, huh?¡± ¡°Yeah, while you¡¯ve been rotting away here in Korea.¡± And you were saying just earlier that I looked good? Ignoring the nonsense, I stepped back from the iing smoke, and Lim Hyeonsu cracked a sly smile. ¡°Hoyun, I¡¯vee to realize the truth of life once again.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± I wasn¡¯t curious at all, but her face practically screamed ¡°hurry up and ask,¡± so I yed along. At that, Lim Hyeonsu smiled contentedly. ¡°When it gets tough, what do you do?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°You heal with money and love.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Lim Hyeonsu then pushed up her sunsses. ¡°This noona just had a fabulous and fun vacation in California. I spent a lot of money, sipped on some cocktails, and other stuff¡­¡± ¡°Geez, enough!¡± ¡°¡­Anyway, so yeah, the stress just flew away. I really do like people who are healthy after all.¡± What was up with California? Did money grow on trees there? I red at Lim Hyeonsu, thoroughly unamused. ¡°Why bother someone who¡¯s just minding their own business?¡± ¡°What¡¯s up with this reaction? Don¡¯t you want to hear about how hot my time in California was?¡± ¡°Save that crap for Joo Woosung.¡± But there was no stopping Lim Hyeonsu¡¯s mouth. She went on and on about how fantastic her vacation was with cool people, forcing me to figuratively plug my ears. ¡°I¡¯m leaving if you¡¯re just going to talk nonsense. I¡¯m busy.¡± ¡°Hey, I got something to say.¡± Chuckling, Lim Hyeonsu caught me, flicked off the ash, and deeply inhaled from the cigarette until the filter glowed red. ¡°Have you seen Kang Ichae?¡± ¡°Our manager called him, so he went back to the van first. Why?¡± ¡°Too bad. He just said hi and then left.¡± Don¡¯t you know why he only said hi? It was Kang Ichae¡¯s way of being considerate. He was quick to notice the mood of those he liked and probably stepped back first, worrying that Lim Hyeonsu might find him bothersome. ¡°¡­Kang Ichae, such a cute kid.¡± Lim Hyeonsu muttered something vague, knowing roughly what was going on. Then, tilting her head as if pondering for a moment, she lifted her phone. ¡°Seo Hoyun, go and pass a message to our Ichae.¡± Since when was it ¡°our Ichae¡±? I raised an eyebrow, and Lim Hyeonsu confidently lifted the corners of her mouth. ¡°I just sent him a song. Tell him to check it.¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s not something weird, is it?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Despite my narrow gaze, Lim Hyeonsu only continued to smile, offering no real answer. ¡°¡­Well, I¡¯ll pass the message to Kang Ichae. But aren¡¯t you forgetting something?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Being a special guest and all.¡± Lim Hyeonsu, there must be a reason you were here too. ¡°Any advice for a contestant?¡± Lim Hyeonsu smirked as she tapped my arm. ¡°Don¡¯t lose your cool, and take first ce.¡± ¡°Seriously.¡± With a slight smile, I left Lim Hyeonsu and headed back. After being gone for a long time, it seemed only right to bring a song as a gift. ¡°Anyway, d to see you¡¯re looking healthy.¡± There was truth in what Joo Woosung once said. Indeed, she looked better with a certain level of self-love. ¡°Hyung, you¡¯re here~?¡± When I returned to the van, today¡¯s targets, Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun, were being teased by Kang Ichae in full swing. Yet, his eyes kept darting my way, clearly curious about what Lim Hyeonsu and I had discussed. ¡°Kang Ichae.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± I sat next to him and pulled the nket toward us. ¡°Theposer wants you to check your messages.¡± ¡°¡­Oh, really?¡± After passing on the message, I closed my eyes. After all, it was just about a song, so I didn¡¯t think it would be a big deal. But that was a mistake. ¡°¡­Hmm?¡± Kang Ichae¡¯s face furrowed deeply as he checked his messages in the van. *** ¡°Where¡¯s Kang Ichae?¡± ¡°Huh? Umm, isn¡¯t he in his room?¡± ¡°I peeked in, but he wasn¡¯t there?¡± ¡°Really? I saw him go in earlier.¡± But that day, Kang Ichae was too quiet. I had too much on my mind to notice at first, but something was definitely off since he wasn¡¯t being his usually annoying self. I entered the room I shared with Kang Ichae first, followed by Seong Jiwon. He looked around the empty room and tilted his head in confusion. ¡°See, he¡¯s not here.¡± ¡°¡­Hmm?¡± While we were puzzled, Jeong Dajun came rushing over from the kitchen, munching on an ice cream. ¡°What¡¯s up, why the faces?¡± ¡°Kang Ichae¡¯s missing.¡± ¡°Maybe he went for a workout?¡± Kim Seonghyeon, who had juste out of the shower and was drying his hair with a towel, suggested as he entered the room. He was about to sit in the chair Kang Ichae usually upied when¡­ ¡°I¡¯ll just call him and¡ªAaagh!!¡± Something squirmed. ¡°Woaaaah!¡± ¡°Aaaaaah!¡± The scaredy-cats Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun yelped and scurried back to the door. Inadvertently, Seong Jiwon and I were pushed back as well. ¡°¡­¡± Round and round¡­ Beyond the spinning chair, from what we thought was a bundle of nkets on the bed, Kang Ichae¡¯s face slowly emerged. ¡­Is this a horror movie? Kim Seonghyeon, clutching his racing heart, gasped in horror. ¡°Hey, hey, hey¡­ Why are you lying there without making any sound?!¡± ¡°H-hyung, hyung!! I thought it was a ghost for real.¡± Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun stammered like broken tapes, shivering as they tightly hugged each other. I pushed past them and strode toward Kang Ichae¡¯s bed. ¡°Were you there the entire time? Why didn¡¯t you answer?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Kang Ichae?¡± I called him again, but it was silent. Something was clearly off. Even a gentle tap on his cheek elicited no reaction, his face remaining nk. ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­Hmm, let¡¯s go eat first.¡± Maybe he needed some alone time. Just as I shrugged and was about to gather the others to leave¡­ ¡°¡­Waaahhhaaaahhaaa.¡± Kang Ichae clutched at my shirt, bawling. ¡°¡­??¡± ¡°I, I¡¯m worried about myself¡­¡± I quickly lifted his face with both hands to check, but it waspletely dry without a trace of tears, as if each fine hair was alive and about to move. This little¡­ ¡°I¡¯m so worried about myself that I¡¯m going crazy~!!!¡± In response to my sour expression, Kang Ichae flopped onto the bed, faking sobs and making a scene. Chapter 167 Chapter 167 Kang Ichae was acting strange. ¡°Ichae~e eat. I bought your favorite hamburgers!!¡± ¡°¡­¡± No matter how much I tempted him with food. ¡°Hyung, hyung! Do you want to y a game? I charged it for you. Jiwon-hyung said Ichae-hyung could take a break!¡± ¡°¡­No¡­¡± Even if I shoved that crazy game he used to rave about to his face. ¡°Kang Ichae, uh¡­ want to go for a walk?¡± ¡°¡­No¡­¡±Whatever I tried, it was in vain. ¡°¡­Shall we go practice instead?¡± ¡°¡­Yeah.¡± At least the mention of practice got some reaction out of him. Seong Jiwon looked at Kang Ichae with a worried expression. Even during our intense practice for the finalpetition, Kang Ichae suddenly ran forward, turning off the song while dering it hideous. ¡°No, no, no, no, this isn¡¯t it!¡± ¡°¡­¡± What exactly was ¡°isn¡¯t it¡±? We were doing well, weren¡¯t we? Everyone looked at Kang Ichae in shock as he threw himself to the floor of the practice room and rolled around. ¡°Ah!! I¡¯m so worried about myself, I think I¡¯m going crazy!!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Ding! [Has he finally lost it?] My thoughts exactly. ¡°¡­Should we just leave him be for now?¡± ¡°Yeah, maybe¡­¡± There was a new pattern added to his list of behaviors, aside from wilting and then exploding. He would lock himself in thepany¡¯s recording studio or our room, headphones on, with bloodshot eyes, constantly working on something. asionally, he would even start crying. ¡°I¡¯m so tired¡­ I want to cry¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± I could swear there wasn¡¯t a single tear on the keyboard. After silently observing him for a few days, we quietly left Kang Ichae in our room and went into an emergency meeting in the living room. While everyone was whispering with their voices low, I pointed toward Kang Ichae¡¯s room with my thumb and said loudly, ¡°Does anyone know why he¡¯s like this?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t we agree to keep our voices down?¡± Kim Seonghyeon looked puzzled. But seeing him struggling for attention like that, it seemed only right to meet his expectations. Scanning the members, Jeong Dajun suddenly raised his hand. ¡°Dajun! It¡¯s because he lost in the promotion match, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Seonghyeon. Is now really the time for games? And Kang Ichae, even if he loses, he justughs it off. That doesn¡¯t seem right.¡± Everyone quieted down at Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s response. Then, Seong Jiwon quietly raised his hand and said, ¡°Jiwon. He¡¯s dissatisfied with his skills.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­Right, sorry. Guess I was wrong.¡± Seong Jiwon muttered sheepishly, but something still nagged at me. ¡°When did he start acting like this?¡± ¡°Two days ago¡­ precisely 47 hours and 23 minutes ago!¡± ¡°That was around the time we were shooting, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Almost at the end of our shoot. Recalling the timeline, I sighed. ¡°Stay here for a second.¡± ¡°Okay~.¡± This was definitely Lim Hyeonsu¡¯s doing. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen Kang Ichae say he¡¯s having a hard time before.¡± ¡°Should we try ying Halli Galli for a change of pace?¡±[1] ¡°Dajun, something other than what you want.¡± I stepped out of the living room onto the balcony to make a call, leaving the members still buzzing about Kang Ichae. After a few rings, the call connected. The cute, pretty, gorgeous geniusposer Lim Hyeonsu at your service~.¡± ¡°¡­¡± I think I understood why Kang Ichae got along so well with her from the start. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± Even though I just sighed without saying a word, Lim Hyeonsu seemed to guess where this was going andughed cheerily. ¨C ¡°Hey~, how¡¯s Ichae?¡± ¡°What did you do to Kang Ichae?¡± ¨C ¡°I just sent a track to our student.¡± Student, my foot. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and it was me who brought up the main issue. ¡°Just sending a track made Kang Ichae like this? There must be something more.¡± ¨C ¡°What¡¯s got into Kang Ichae?¡± Sensing my irritation reaching MAX, Lim Hyeonsu added with a stillughterced tone, ¨C ¡°I told you. There¡¯s this piece among those I haven¡¯t released yet that turned out really well, so I let Kang Ichae listen to a bit of it. That¡¯s all.¡± But what on earth made her confident enough to send it to Kang Ichae? Lim Hyeonsu usually worked with big-name agencies, especially producing for idols from WH Entertainment. There was a chance that one of High Five¡¯s songs would be chosen for this finalpetition as well. ¡°Could it really be a High Five song?¡± Despite Lim Hyeonsu¡¯s usually clear distinction between personal and professional, I wondered if she might have done so. When I asked, I heard a snicker over the phone. ¨C ¡°It¡¯s not that. Do you think I¡¯m crazy?¡± ¡°Why would you send an unreleased song to Kang Ichae?¡± ¨C ¡°Why? Are you afraid Kang Ichae might giarize? Hey, do you think he¡¯s me or what?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Lim Hyeonsu, really¡­ ¨C ¡°I¡¯ve washed my hands off it, for real. I got a bit obsessed for a while there. Pathetic, really¡­ I lost all my dignity.¡± ¡°Your dignity was gone a long time ago.¡± ¨C ¡°You bastard.¡± But it was hard to imagine Kang Ichae, of all people, getting gloomy just because a song was exceptionally good. ¡°Please, do something about this. We can¡¯t use him if he¡¯s like this just before the finalpetition.¡± Lim Hyeonsu burst intoughter. ¨C ¡°Ahaha, you really don¡¯t get it, huh?¡± ¡°What don¡¯t I get?¡± ¨C ¡°Hey, can¡¯t you guess why he¡¯s so down right now? Nobody can help him. That¡¯s something only Kang Ichae can solve.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¨C ¡°To be honest, the track turned out really good. It¡¯s gonna be bittersweet for Kang Ichae.¡± ¡°¡­Kang Ichae?¡± ¨C ¡°There aren¡¯t many who understand my songs like he does. The more you understand, the broader the range of emotions you feel.¡± Aposer¡¯s world, was it something like that? I didn¡¯t quite understand, but after hearing Lim Hyeonsu¡¯s exnation, things seemed a bit clearer. So, it seemed like Kang Ichae was in this state because he felt the limits of his talent after hearing Lim Hyeonsu¡¯s track. What was going on was roughly something along those lines. Rich people problems. Unable toprehend such nonsense, I sighed again. ¡°So why did you send it?¡± ¨C ¡°He¡¯s my student.¡± ¡°Fine, but if it turned out well, you should¡¯ve just been happy by yourself. Why send it to Kang Ichae?¡± ¨C ¡°Wow. Seo Hoyun, pretending not to care, but your arm is twisted towards you.¡± I hesitated a bit, thinking of a time when Lim Hyeonsu sounded overly depressed on the phone. ¨C ¡°Pfft.¡± Obviously, Lim Hyeonsu, with her sharp mind and quick wit, would have figured it out. ¨C ¡°Hey, Seo Hoyun. Have you gone soft?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¨C ¡°I¡¯m so proud. It feels like I¡¯ve tamed a street cat with no manners. Ah, sorry. I meant to say, a rabbit.¡± ¡°Are you joking right now?¡± I could hear a faint tapping sound from the phone, likely Lim Hyeonsu hitting her desk with a cigarette pack. ¨C ¡°Why did I send it? Hoyun, you know. I¡¯ve unwittingly be Salieri. Kang Ichae feels it, and he¡¯s fucking watching me.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¨C ¡°But have I ever been like that? Have I, at some point, believed that I was the best?¡± Lim Hyeonsu muttered bitterly. ¨C ¡°And then, I faced a massive reality check.¡± She spoke with conviction. ¨C ¡°He¡¯s not going to end up like me. No, he shouldn¡¯t. That¡¯s why I¡¯m guiding him to the right direction before it¡¯s toote.¡± To make the tough road she had already traveled a bit easier for him. To correct Kang Ichae¡¯s arrogance and to motivate him to not settle but to strive for more. That was why she guided him. ¡°Even so, right before the finalpetition, really?¡± ¨C ¡°Ahaha, sorry for being a bit mean. But isn¡¯t it true that heroes are born out of adversity? That¡¯s what they say inics, right?¡± Adversity, my ass. Amused by my reaction, Lim Hyeonsu continued in a sing-song voice. ¨C ¡°It took me over half a year in California to recover. Sharing love and all. I¡¯m really curious how long it¡¯ll take for Kang Ichae~.¡± ¡°You just wanted to go on a vacation. Don¡¯t use someone else¡¯s member as an excuse.¡± ¨C ¡°Seo Hoyun doesn¡¯t know love, so he¡¯s being all prickly~?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fuck, that damn California. As I listened to Lim Hyeonsu, fully recovered and teasing away, and reminisced about my hard times here in Korea, I couldn¡¯t help but rub the back of my neck. ¨C ¡°I¡¯ll buy you a drinkter, okay? Don¡¯t be mad, my Hoyun.¡± ¡°I¡¯m already mad.¡± And without hearing the rest, I abruptly hung up the phone. Habitually fumbling in my pocket, I let my hand fall and breathed out a heavy sigh. ¡°Ugh.¡± Mozart and Salieri, my ass. This was¡­ well. ¡°This is exactly what they call self-improvement.¡± But there was something Lim Hyeonsu didn¡¯t know. That this guy was ¡°Kang Ichae.¡± *** There was not much time left until the finalpetition. After hanging up the phone and organizing my thoughts, I decided to get things sorted quickly. ¡°Kang Ichae. Let¡¯s talk.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Entering the room, I took off Kang Ichae¡¯s headset. Almost lying back in his chair, Kang Ichae was slouching like a wilted flower. At my signal, Kim Seonghyeon quickly got Kang Ichae up on his feet. ¡°Why~? Am I a teenager? Leave me alone¡­¡± Despite the nonsense, he seemed tock energy. Seong Jiwon seemed worried as he looked around. ¡°I heard from the Composer.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± A spark of spirit shed in Kang Ichae, who had been slumped to the side. I dragged a small folding chair over and sat in front of Kang Ichae. ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± After keeping his mouth shut for a while, Kang Ichae mumbled with his head hung low. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t want to do it.¡± ¡°¡­¡± At that moment, I reflexively turned my eyes toward Kim Seonghyeon. Kim Seonghyeon was also looking at me. ¨C You too? ¨C Yeah. Seong Jiwon, who was raised by his grandmother, and Jeong Dajun, an only child, were deep in thought with serious expressions. However, Kim Seonghyeon and I, who both had siblings, immediately understood where Kang Ichae¡¯s reaction wasing from. Right now, Kang Ichae was acting like a spoiled brat. He was throwing a fit. It was of the same vein as not wanting to go to school, not wanting to go to taekwondo practice, or not wanting to y the recorder for tomorrow¡¯s performance assessment. It was that tone and expression people have when they were annoyed by something minor but couldn¡¯t quite put their finger on it, so they startining. Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s expression suggested he hade to a simr conclusion. We nodded to each other as our eyes met. ¨C Let¡¯s go. ¨C Yeah. There was a special measure for times like these. ¡°Really?¡± I said, crossing my legs and propping my chin on my hand. ¡°Then don¡¯t do it.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s so tough, you shouldn¡¯t do it. You¡¯ve worked hard.¡± No matter how young, they clearly knew they were acting out and acting improperly. So, when suddenly the other party switched stance and agreed with them, they didn¡¯t know how to react. Looking at Kang Ichae now reminded me of a young Seo Hojin. He had cried and fussed for days not wanting to go to school, but when I told him he didn¡¯t have to go if he hated it so much, he sniffled and reluctantly went to school. Later, he returned home with a sheepish look, holding a Pikachu pork cutlet. He was cute back then. Ah, memories. Anyway, he was definitely throwing a tantrum, but there was something else. This is Kang Ichae. The guy in front of me wasn¡¯t ten-year-old Seo Hojin, but the incredibly perceptive Kang Ichae. He probably guessed that I knew he was exaggerating his tantrum. He even nced at me earlier. After throwing the bait and waiting silently for a reaction, Kang Ichae blinked. ¡°¡­Huh?¡± And then, seemingly truly flustered, he looked at me, having forgotten he was in the middle of throwing a fit. That¡¯s when I was sure. This kid¡­ He wasn¡¯t flustered because I told him to quit but because he thought his act had fooled me. It was too obvious even to him that he was exaggerating. By this time, Seong Jiwon had roughly grasped the situation and was wearing a light smile, while only Jeong Dajun brightened up, thinking Kang Ichae¡¯s mood had improved upon seeing his expression change. But it wouldn¡¯t do to just stop here. Kim Seonghyeon stepped in at the right time to lend some strength. ¡°It¡¯s. ok. ay. I. chae.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I. res. pect. you. too.¡± Kim Seonghyeon, with an acting skill of E-, was almost like an old model of Alexa. Jeong Dajun also looked at him strangely because of the way his words were cut off. ¡°¡­Ah.¡± Kang Ichae couldn¡¯t keep his mouth shut for a moment, then brushed his hair back and let out a hollowugh. ¡°¡­I was totally fooled. I forgot for a moment that you¡¯re an actor.¡± Kang Ichae grumbled at me. I responded with the pretty answer he was expecting. ¡°Here, have some attention.¡± ¡°¡­¡­I sometimes really get annoyed by you, hyung.¡± ¡°Only sometimes? I appreciate it.¡± Kang Ichae pouted his lips and propped his chin with both hands, still seemingly wanting to act spoiled toward the other members as he tapped the floor with his toes. ¡°Well, it¡¯s just¡­ it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve felt such a barrier after listening to Composer¡¯s music¡­¡± That statement was likely true. However, the Kang Ichae I knew¡ªnot that I thought that was all there was to him¡ªhad such a strong personal philosophy that, even if he hit a slump, as long as he and the people he cared about were happy, that was enough. So, I judged that he wouldn¡¯t let his daily life be shaken up to this extent. Also, having unintentionally seen various sides of Kang Ichae, the alien feeling emanating from him now was strikingly noticeable to me. If you think about what happened in Japan, this is nothing. If he truly felt overwhelmed, he¡¯d likely shut down instead, and the atmosphere around him wouldpletely change. That means he still has some leeway. Watching him still pretending to be gloomy, I was torn between ying along to cheer him up or just ignoring him, when Jeong Dajun moved closer to Kang Ichae. ¡°Ichae-hyung, you know.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°It¡¯s better not to care about others.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± We all looked at Jeong Dajun with shocked faces. ¡°I felt it too, this time. During the performancepetition¡­ I was so immersed that I couldn¡¯t see anything else.¡± Under our collective gaze, the maknae¡¯s face turned a bit red, seemingly embarrassed. ¡°So, hyung, don¡¯tpare yourself to others. Just like you always say, what¡¯s important is if you¡¯re having fun.¡± He really got told by the maknae. It seemed Jeong Dajun¡¯s sincere advice got through to the previously petnt Kang Ichae. He was silent for a while. I had to hold back my desire to snicker from the sidelines. After a dy, a small answer came. ¡°¡­Yeah.¡± Jeong Dajun smiled a bit. Anyway, Lim Hyeonsu was right. He truly felt a barrier in himself. ¡°Let¡¯s eat.¡± The rest was up to Kang Ichae himself. Just as Jeong Dajun had done. ¡°¡­Sigh.¡± With a sigh, Kang Ichae trudged along and then, sitting at the table, he reluctantly started to eat the meal prepared for him. Eventually, he cleared three bowls before heading back to his room. With no hint of a smile, he busily scribbled something on paper with a pen and, only after several hours, finally turned on hisptop. He didn¡¯t close the screen until the sun rose and set again. [1] See /watch?v=5ytcL06-Nfk for a very good exnation of this game. Chapter 168 Chapter 168 Kang Ichae finished the song. A sweeping beat from the get-go, rooted in a low synthesizer, and a rich melody that stimted the senses. ¡°¡­It¡¯s really good.¡± Even though all the members had listened to it dozens of times while recording the song that would be released a week earlier than the broadcast, they asionally let out exmations of admiration while dancing in the practice room. Usually, Kang Ichae would respond with a sly retort or burst into a heartyughter, buttely, his reactions had been t. ¡°¡­It¡¯s good that you like it?¡± If he did bother to open his mouth, it was only to let out soulless words. Despite the rush from working on the music to recording and submitting the final track, Kang Ichae still seemed unsatisfied with it. Should I curse at Lim Hyeonsu or thank her?The situation was definitely off, but she had managed to elevate an already high-level guy to celestial heights. Eventually, intoxicated by the song, we decided to practice once more, continuing past dawn and not leaving the practice room until 6 pm, looking pale and limping. ¡°This is really the best one yet¡­¡± ¡°The song?¡± ¡°Both the song and the practice¡­¡± In the middle, not only did Joo Woosung visit, but Han Chaeri also came once with a camera, and everyone had a curious expression. I wasn¡¯t sure if that was a positive sign, but for now, we had to do our best. It had been a few days since the fourth episode aired, and I hadn¡¯t had time to catch up on the reactions due topetition preparations, but I hoped to get a sense of our ranking. ¡°My brain¡¯s not working¡­¡± ¡°¡­Let¡¯s just sleep for three hours ande back.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Pushing away Jeong Dajun, who clung to me, whining about being sleepy, I took out my phone. ¡°¡­You guys go ahead.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I need to stop by my ce.¡± ¡°Why? Is something wrong?¡± The members stared at me in surprise. Scrolling through my messages, I realized it had been months since I had a proper conversation with Seo Hojin, not just brief replies, and I felt a bit awkward. ¡°Just need to pick up some clothes.¡± It wasn¡¯t like we contacted each other that often. Thinking I might put it off again if I didn¡¯t act on the thought now, I decided to see him, even if just for a moment. The members nodded in understanding as I left, pulling my hat down low and headed home for the first time in a while. I wonder if that kid¡¯s been eating properly. I entered the familiar door lock code. Ding, ding, ding¡­ Drrring. As I burst through the door, the house was eerily quiet. ¡°Seo Hojin.¡± Seeing no response, I thought he must have gone out. I nced at our parents¡¯ photo next to the TV, took off my shoes, and went inside. ¡°Seo Ho¡ª¡± ¨C ¡°Do you know how it wasst Friday?¡± Just then, I heard voicesing from the master bedroom. He¡¯s here. It sounded like he was on speakerphone, as I could hear the entire conversation. Deciding there was no need to interrupt, I went to the kitchen to check the fridge. He¡¯s eating pretty well, the little rascal. There was rice in the rice cooker and enough side dishes. He had been taking good care of himself. As I grabbed a drink and sat at the kitchen table, Seo Hojin, unaware of my arrival, was still on the phone. ¨C ¡°You know what that fashion major said at the meeting? She asked if I could introduce her to the really handsome poli-sci ss president.¡± Seo Hojin was the ss president? Why would he bother with such annoying stuff? ¨C ¡° I told her not to be fooled by appearances, that you¡¯re a piece of shit. And she looked at me like I was pathetic. Fuck. I don¡¯t mind being a victim, but does it have to interfere with my love life too??¡± ¡°Stop talking shit¡­ You¡¯re giving me a headache.¡± ¡°¡­??¡± I nearly choked on my drink as I unintentionally eavesdropped. ¡­Why does he sound so much like me? It wasn¡¯t just simr; it was exactly my way of speaking. The time to be cautious about mynguage in front of him had long passed. Seo Hojin was an adult, and I figured he¡¯d manage his own manner of speaking. Feeling it wrong to keep listening, I set the can down on the table and kicked the door open. ¡°Hey.¡± ¡°¡­?!¡± Seo Hojin, who had been lying on the bed like melted jelly, flinched and got up. ¡°Oh, hyung, you¡¯re here??¡± ¨C ¡°Hyung?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°When did you¡ª¡± ¨C ¡°Eh, Seo Hojin, you have a brother??¡± His friend¡¯s surprised voice continued to echo. ¡°Stop talking nonsense and just send the email.¡± Seo Hojin quickly turned off the speakerphone, blurted out a bunch of words, and hung up. I just leaned against the door, crossing my arms and watching him. ¡°What¡¯s up, why are you here without saying anything?¡± ¡°This is my house. Aren¡¯t you just a freeloader who doesn¡¯t pay rent?¡± ¡°¡­I know.¡± Seeing Seo Hojin pout and grumble, I flopped down on the chair in front of the desk. I diverted my gaze to the frame upying a corner of the desk. It held a photo of our parents and Seo Hojin, the three of them together. ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong, right?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± Seeing my expression, Seo Hojinughed as if he found it absurd. ¡°Are you worried¡­ Ah, hyung, weren¡¯t you filming some program?¡± ¡°Yeah. The finals areing up soon.¡± His response felt a bit off. Though he tried to act normal, Seo Hojin¡¯s body was drenched in sweat, and he was gasping for breath. ¡°Are you sick?¡± ¡°Just overdid it a bit¡­ There¡¯s been a lot to do since the semester started.¡± Man, this dude should rely on modern medicine when he was this sick. Why was he struggling on his own? ¡°You¡¯re 24, don¡¯t you have anyone to take care of you?¡± ¡°I take care of myself very well~.¡± Still, seeing him talk back properly made me think he wasn¡¯t that sick. ¡°Do you want to go to the hospital?¡± ¡°I went the day before yesterday already.¡± Better than me, then. I noticed a torn medicine packet and a half-empty water bottle by the bed. Just as I was about to let it go, thinking he could take care of himself, Seo Hojin gasped for air with a flushed face, seemingly getting worse as he wrapped himself more tightly in his nket on the bed. Wondering if I should take him to the hospital now, I turned on my phone to search for nearby ces. There seemed to be a ce that offered night-time services. While scrolling through my phone, I asked nonchntly, ¡°What did the doctor say? A cold?¡± ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± Seo Hojin hesitated for a moment. ¡°They said I¡¯m fine.¡± I paused at the name of a hospital¡­ and raised an eyebrow. ¡°¡­Fine?¡± ¡°Seriously. It¡¯s stress, h h. As if there¡¯s anyone without stress.¡± Seo Hojin frowned, lifting his sweat-dampened bangs. ¡°Just took the medicine they gave me. So, I feel a bit better now.¡± Thump, thump. I could feel my heart starting to beat out of sync. An inexplicable anxiety washed over me. Because his symptoms seemed a bit¡­ ¡°¡­Hyung?¡± ¡­simr to when I got penalized for abusing the system. Seeing me frozen and unable to speak, Seo Hojin sensed something was off and stood up. ¡°What¡¯s with that face¡­?¡± As he approached me, hisplexion suddenly turned pale, and he hurriedly covered his mouth. ¡°¡­Ugh.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± Expecting him to vomit, I supported him, yet a chill ran down my spine. ¡°Move, move.¡± I watched dazedly as he pushed past me and ran to the bathroom. ¡°Ugh¡­ Kuk¡­¡± The sound of Seo Hojin vomiting brought a grim possibility to mind. In the chilling air, I stood there, unable to get up or follow him to pat his back. ¡°¡­Hyung.¡± After a while, Seo Hojin came out, rinsing his mouth, and slumped at the edge of the bed. ¡°¡­Did I do something wrong?¡± He looked at me with a pale face, gauging my reaction. I swallowed what I wanted to say and quicklyposed my emotions. ¡°Why? Feeling guilty about something? If you¡¯ve got something to say, spit it out now.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡ªwhen you make that face¡ª¡± ¡°Forget it, you seem worse. Just go back to the hospital.¡± Seo Hojin opened his eyes wide in frustration, mumbling reluctantly. ¡°It¡¯s not that bad¡­¡± ¡°Anyway, I found a clinic that¡¯s open at night. I¡¯ll send you the directions by Kakao. I have to go now because of my schedule. Here, take some cab fare.¡± I pulled out my wallet from my back pocket and handed him all the cash I could find. ¡°Seeing you vomit, it seems like indigestion. Try not to eat just anything, you little shit.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that.¡± ¡°If you can¡¯t go to the hospital by yourself, I¡¯ll apany you.¡± ¡°No need, I¡¯ll go.¡± ¡°¡­Alright.¡± After giving him a thorough look, I headed for the front door. As I was putting on my shoes and fixing theces, Seo Hojin followed me, standing awkwardly close. ¡°Hyung, that¡­¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± I intentionally untied theces I had just tied, listening to Seo Hojin¡¯s lingering voice. ¡°There¡¯s really nothing wrong, right?¡± I fiddled with the tip of thece and then tied it tightly again. ¡°¡­Hojin.¡± I abruptly stood up and turned to look at him. ¡°Why do you keep asking? Would you be happy if something was actually wrong?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± Seo Hojin with his foolish face. With such an unnecessarily quick wit, that little rascal, who did he take after? ¡°Hyung is heading to the finals but my dongsaeng has nothing to say?¡± ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± Seo Hojin crossed his arms and looked at me. ¡°Don¡¯t push yourself.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it, you shit.¡± I gently brushed Seo Hojin¡¯s sweat-drenched hair while grinning slyly. ¡°I¡¯lle back as number one.¡± And without hesitation, I left. Bang. The door closed behind me, and I walked to the elevator, pressed the button, and leaned against the wall, waiting. Unable to contain myself, I eventually headed down the stairs. ¡°¡­¡± My previously unaffected face suddenly fell. As I hurriedly descended, my pace gradually slowed, and before I knew it, I had stopped moving. ¡°Damn¡­¡± Why did I feel so bad? Even though I couldn¡¯t think of any major issue, with every step I took, it felt like I was walking through a sticky mud pit. I tapped the railing with my fingers and summoned the system window. ¡°What did you do to my brother?¡± The system window, which I thought would pop up with an excuse or perhaps even flee, crackled like it was filled with noise before slowly opening. [What¡¯s up??] Was it really clueless? Could I trust it? I leaned against the wall and sighed. ¡°If you mess with that kid, I won¡¯t let you off.¡± I slowly sat down on the floor and ruffled my hair wildly. Seeing my brother in pain after such a long time made the moments spent going up on stage surrounded by the members, eating together, ying around, and chatting feel suddenly distant. Right, what have I been doing all this for? I would sessfullyplete all the quests and return to my original world. Feeling down, I turned on my phone and searched for Shining Star, High Five, and The Dawn. The songs were bound to be good, and the stage was likely to be well-produced. Yet, no matter how much I calcted the odds and adjusted the ns, the oue always converged to one. To anyone¡¯s eye, it was a game we were bound to lose. The Dawn might have been on a roll, but from the start, we couldn¡¯tpete with High Five in terms of fanbase and capital. Moreover, the finalpetition was based on scores from previously released songs and live voting, making it even more disadvantageous for The Dawn. A quest window floated beside me. [Win the first ce in Shining Star Season 2! The survival program is back after a long time! Secure first ce in Shining Star Season 2. Sess: Vocal stats significantly increase Failure: Seo Hoyun¡¯s confidential information leaked] ¡°¡­Heartless bastards.¡± Indeed, a penalty where conscience had gone AWOL. ¡­I really didn¡¯t want to use this method. My mother came to mind first, and inevitably, so did Hojin, who resembled her so much. The young Hojin who cried every time our parents were mentioned also shed in my mind. I weighed the future scenario and the actions I had to take against each other. ¡°¡­Ahhh¡­ Damn¡­¡± Since when had I been cautious about stepping into fire and water? Even though I thought it was necessary, I couldn¡¯t easily make up my mind. ¡°¡­Ah¡­¡± I then rubbed my face with my hands, then licked my dry, chapped lips. Right. ¡°Sorry, Mom.¡± Let¡¯s do it. Having made my decision, I picked up my phone. It wasn¡¯t long before the person on the other end answered the call. ¨C ¡°¡­Huh? Hello?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me, PD.¡± ¨C ¡°What¡¯s up, why the call? Anything you need?¡± ¡°Do you have time?¡± ¨C ¡°¡­Why?¡± Kim Heeyeon, clearly on guard, made me rub my nose. The PD wouldn¡¯t be able to resist my story. A bit of maniption was necessary. ¡°That is¡ª¡± I hesitated for a moment before I began to speak. ¡­Remember, this isn¡¯t me. It seemed better to deceive. I quickly adjusted my n and gave a faint smile. ¡°Just meet me for a bit, let¡¯s talk.¡± A slight feeling of guilt and self-loathing crept up my throat, but continuing the conversation nonchntly wasn¡¯t hard. After all¡­ ¡°It¡¯s about boosting the ratings.¡± My conscience had been sold to hell a long time ago. Chapter 169 Chapter 169 Episode 5 of Shining Star was about to be released to the public. [Wow, Shining Star is really popr, huh? All my real friends are voting right now ???] [No way, me too¡­ My friend posted asking to vote for their favorite star ??? Is this what they call¡­ ¡°going viral¡±? Drooling ©¸Ah please, look at the veteran fans getting excited ?????] With its high-profile cast, sleek editing, intriguing narrative, and quality performances, Shining Star Season 2 garnered an even more sensational poprity than Season 1. With only the final stage left, the fandoms were in a state of tension like never before. [I really like Seo Hoyun???] [I don¡¯t know why I didn¡¯t notice until now ? Everyone was watching Shining Star, I should have watched it too??????shit???] Of course, this wasn¡¯t a concern for viewers enjoying the program casually.[Episode 5 is starting!!] The main content was the preparation scenes of each group before the finalpetition. All five groups were shown ying around, fiercely exchanging opinions, and practicing seriously. There were interviews interspersed, including one with Seo Hoyun. [OMG Seo Hoyun¡¯s interview] However, it passed by in a sh. Compared to others who filled their time with pleasant jokes or shared their desires for good results, Seo Hoyuncked impact. [I¡¯ve never seen Seo Hoyun talk like that;;] [Is he crazy¡­?] However, the Noeuls, who had seen Seo Hoyun through various self-produced content and events, were surprised. They knew him as someone who never shared his troubles and always took things in stride. [Hey, Seo Hoyun is begging so desperately, let¡¯s please give him first ce] [Please vote???? Ah, please??????] [I¡¯m starting to really hate the other groups¡­ Ah¡­ ????????I¡¯m sorry guys¡­ ??!!!] As Noeul buzzed with talk about Seo Hoyun¡¯s interview, one fan habitually refreshed their SNS, and then¡ª [;;;;;;;] [Ah] [Ah, fuck] [Wow] Their phonegged as hundreds of posts appeared. Meanwhile¡­ ¡¾Traffic ident¡¿ ¡¾ck Box¡¿ ¡¾Hoyun ident¡¿ ¡¾The Dawn Seo Hoyun¡¿ ¡¾Shining Star¡¿ At first, the phrase ¡°traffic ident¡± trended in real-time, and soon after, it was flooded with Seo Hoyun¡¯s name. [What is this??;;] It all started with a video uploaded on YouTube. The video seemed to be from a dashcam, showing a truck crashing into a car, causing it to flip. The car hit by the truck was severely dented on one side. Though gruesome and tragic, it wasn¡¯t an unusual traffic ident. The real key was the video¡¯s title. [Seo Hoyun Traffic ident ck Box] No one believed it at first. Understandably so, as there was no direct evidence of a person involved, and nothing to back up the title. [Ah shit, don¡¯t believe the clickbait, just as the finale ising, crazy attention seekers are everywhere] [Reporting it right now¡­ It¡¯s climbing YouTube¡¯s trending list, it¡¯s so annoying¡­ Please report it whenever you see it] [Do you really want to do this??? It¡¯s so fucking annoying, you bastards, pulling all sorts of stunts for attention] Just then, an article from four years ago resurfaced. ¡¶[Breaking News] Collision in XX¡­ 3 Dead/1 Injured On December 18, at around 4:21 PM, a truck collided with a sedan at the intersection in OO District, XX City, causing a crash. The truck driver and a couple in their 40s in the sedan died, and their 20-something child was injured. ording to the police, ¡°It appears to be due to drowsy driving, and we are investigating the ident¡¯s circumstances¡­¡± ¡· The breaking news was so sinct it was almost dry, but peoplepared the timing of the article and the dashcam footage. [Wait, what¡¯s this article??] [Is it really Seo Hoyun¡¯s ident?] As suspicions grew that the person in the video might actually be Seo Hoyun, The Dawn¡¯s fandom fell into chaos. [He rarely wears short sleeves, and if he wears short sleeves or sleeveless shirts on stage, he covers up with concealer] [Is this it? The scars from the ident?] [There were sightings of him receiving scar treatment] Even fans trying to dismiss it as clickbait were shaken. The climax of this burning controversy came when a photo was posted. A low-quality, clearly sneaky shot of a Traffic ident Report was uploaded briefly in the early morning and deleted within ten minutes. But it was enough time to take screenshots. The photo spread rapidly. The date, location, and time on the document all matched the article. Most importantly, Seo Hoyun¡¯s name was clearly written in the victim section. By then, it was toote. It was toote for thepany to respond, toote for the fandom to keep quiet. Entertainment news exploded. ¡¶[Summary] The Dawn¡¯s Hoyun, Traffic ident Dashcam from 4 Years Ago Leaked¡· ¡¶Seo Hoyun¡¯s Traffic ident, Was His One-Year Hiatus Due to Trauma from Losing His Parents?¡· The dramatic story of a popr idol group member who had lost his parents in a traffic ident and was the sole survivor caught the public¡¯s attention. Everyone started specting about Seo Hoyun¡¯s one-year hiatus after The Dawn¡¯s debut. Some expressed sympathy, while others rushed to criticize every little detail. [The poor kid suffered such a huge trauma at a young age¡­ May the souls of the deceased rest in peace] [This is truly shocking;; he must have psychological issues] [Can we just stop¡­? Really, stop pretending to know everything and leave Hoyun alone, please] [Wow ????The agency is really good at their job???? Dropping this right before the finale???] [Are you selling your parents for first ce? Disgusting.] [I¡¯m cheering for you ?? I saw the broadcast and you seemed like a friend who doesn¡¯t show any signs ?? Is that why you took a year off after debuting? Some people take medication even for minor car idents, it must be a mental illness ?] Like predators eyeing their prey, all kinds ofments clung on. Articles, videos, anonymous messages. A few hourster, it was no surprise that thetest clip of Seo Hoyun¡¯s interview on Shining Star hit number one on YouTube¡¯s trending videos. [Seo Hoyun Shining Star Episode 5 Interview Clip] A part that had been lightly skimmed over during the broadcast was brought into the spotlight again. ¨C Q: ¡°Why do you work so hard?¡± To the staff¡¯s question, Seo Hoyun, who was in front of the camera, gave a cool smile. ¨C ¡°Because I have to.¡± And then answered calmly. ¨C ¡°This is all I have left.¡± That was it. Seo Hoyun¡¯s interview, which shook a gossip-thirsty South Korea,sted only 15 seconds. *** The final contest venue. Outside, the audience waited with great anticipation, and inside, rehearsals were in full swing. I¡¯m a bit tired. I can¡¯t remember thest time I slept properly. I was that engrossed in practice. Ignoring the wary Jeong Dajun and brushing off the concerns of Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon, I kept working. Kang Ichae seemed to have grabbed me and said something, but I soon forgot about it. Sigh. Night came, dawn broke, and it was morning again before the sun set once more. I thought I had eaten something, but¡­ ¡°Hyung, I¡¯m sorry.¡± While practicing like that, I had briefly fallen asleep at the dorm, only to be awakened by a sobbing Jeong Dajun who was shaking me. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry¡­¡± Kim Seonghyeon, who had brought Jeong Dajun, spoke with a troubled expression. ¡°We¡¯ve contacted thepany to prevent any more leaks as much as possible.¡± ¡°¡­Okay.¡± ¡°Seo Hoyun, are you really going to go on stage in this condition?¡± I nodded. In reality, after organizing how to proceed with the situation and contacting Kim Jaeyeon, I turned off my phonepletely. Too many unnecessary calls wereing in. However, I hadn¡¯t forgotten to leave a text message for Seo Hojin, worried he might be concerned. ¨C Me: Seo Hojin ¨C Me: Are you not hurt? I only discoveredter, after turning my phone back on, that Seo Hojin had immediately tried to call me and had sent numerous texts saying he wasn¡¯t hurt. Maybe it was because my own actions were bothering me a bit, but I kept putting the phone down after thinking several times about contacting Hojin. The most fortunate aspect of this incident was that Seo Hojin hadn¡¯t been in the car during the ident, so his identity wasn¡¯t revealed. From the start, Seo Hojin and I didn¡¯t really resemble each other. When we were together, people could tell we were brothers because of our simr aura, but when we were apart, most people didn¡¯t notice the resemnce. My profile didn¡¯t mention anything about my brother, and aside from the members, no one knew Hojin was my dongsaeng, so as long as we were careful, there wouldn¡¯t be any major issues. Thus, I arrived at the final contest venue. Time flies. After finishing the final rehearsal lightly, I avoided the worried, anxious, and sharp gazes of the members, found a less crowded ce, and gulped down some water. Somehow, Kim Heeyeon found me and approached. ¡°Seo Hoyun.¡± ¡°Ah, PD-nim.¡± I reflexively smiled, but Kim Heeyeon stared at me with a piercing gaze. Just when I thought she might have timed it to catch me without any members or staff around, Kim Heeyeon scanned the surroundings and then said, ¡°It wasn¡¯t you, right?¡± ¡°Sorry?¡± ¡°The current situation. You didn¡¯t do it, right?¡± She hade to hear my answer, even while being extremely nervous. ¡°Why did you ask to change the interview?¡± When I called Kim Heeyeon, she had been editing the content for Episode 5. As soon as we met, I suggested, under the guise of viewer ratings, that instead of me, whose interview was uneventful, it would be better to increase Jeong Dajun¡¯s interview portion to connect with the stage in Episode 4. ¡°¡­Why?¡± Kim Heeyeon raised an eyebrow, seemingly trying to read my hidden motives. ¡°Because of Jeong Dajun.¡± I spoke as calmly as possible, and even added that if it seemed too focused on Jeong Dajun, she could redistribute some of my cut interview time to other lower-ranked group members. It was just a suggestion, and I casually added that all decisions were up to PD Kim Heeyeon. ¡°Umm.¡± When trying to persuade someone, it was necessary to ry one¡¯s opinion and then subtly step back, making it seem like the other person had the upper hand and the decision-making power. If it felt even slightly awkward, it could backfire. ¡°¡­Well, I¡¯ll think about it.¡± After contemting for a long time, Kim Heeyeon nodded, seemingly finding it somewhat reasonable. Her expression was somewhatplex, though. As a result, my portion was significantly edited, and a much more desperate-sounding interview was aired. I was quite satisfied. ¡°¡­Phew.¡± However, Kim Heeyeon, unaware of these facts, was confused while still suspicious of me. It seemed like she asked the question even when she thought it was an impossible thing to do unless I was a crazy person. ¡°Even you, PD-nim?¡± I deliberately lowered my gaze and spoke in a greatly subdued voice. Kim Heeyeon¡¯s shoulders slightly trembled before she sighed and rubbed her face dry. ¡°Yeah, I must be crazy.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Seo Hoyun must be having a hard time right now too.¡± She ran her hand through her hair, looking very tired. ¡°¡­I¡¯m really sorry about your family too.¡± All I could do was smile. Apologizing once again, Kim Heeyeon hurriedly left when the staff called her. I also returned to the waiting room. The final live show was about to begin. After Bercy and Try¡¯s performances, TEW¡¯s showcase was disyed on the monitoring TV. ¡°Burning up this moment Spark in your eyes.¡± The song and dance themselves weren¡¯t bad. The subtitles were a bit exaggerated,beling them as a strong contender for first ce, but TEW was practically settled in third ce. All members silently fixed their eyes on the screen, then a staff member knocked to announce it was time to go. ¡°The Dawn, get ready for standby!!¡± The staff member¡¯s gaze briefly passed over me. I stood up and silently followed the members ahead of me. Reaching the backstage outside the waiting room, the intense heat of the scene hit my skin. ¡°Seo Hoyun, let¡¯s fix your in-ears.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± While standing still, letting the staff do the final checks on me, I made eye contact with Kim Heeyeon from afar. She seemed to have something to say, her lips moving a few times before she averted her gaze. I maintained a nk expression, merely reciting the lyrics in my head. ¡°Hoyun-ah.¡± At that moment, Seong Jiwon called me. ¡°Can you go up there?¡± When I turned my head, Seong Jiwon¡¯s warm gaze was staring right at me. I looked around. The various eyes fixed on me quickly turned away. Most of them were filled with unease and vignce, fearing I might cause a broadcast ident. ¡°¡­Seong Jiwon.¡± Could I go up on stage? Of course. Though I was tired from consecutive all-nighters, my mind was clearer than ever. That¡¯s why I was confident. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I could finish this stage perfectly. ¡°We have to get first ce.¡± When I grinned, Seong Jiwon widened his eyes slightly, then a faint smile appeared on his lips. ¡°¡ªAlright.¡± It was clear he was forcing a smile. ¡°The Dawn, make your entrance!¡± Following the staff¡¯s guidance, I stepped on the blue tape. Before going to his position, Kim Seonghyeon patted my shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s go up.¡± I nodded slightly and stepped onto the lift. Clunk. Ziiing¡ª. The sound of cheers grew closer. However, my mind slowly cooled down. Kim Heeyeon, she¡¯s suspicious after all. Well, it would have seemed suspicious if she had thought about it a bit. Things like the ck box of the traffic ident or the Traffic ident Certificate were hard for others to get. Moreover, considering the sudden proposal for the edit and the timing, it was enough to make her suspicious. Fair and just Kim Heeyeon. Conscientious Kim Heeyeon. Seemingly tough but surprisingly gentle and mild Kim Heeyeon. That was the biggest reason I liked her, but at the same time, it was her weak point. The reason she epted my proposal was obvious. I was rtively popr, so she wanted to help a lower-ranking group gain some recognition, even if it was just a scene or two. I recalled Kim Heeyeon from Season 1, who, despite experiencing me, couldn¡¯t handle even a slightint without feeling sorry. I clenched my fists tightly. No need to apologize. Ziiing¡­. Noona. Where would a guy who almost got pped go? ¡°Waaaaaaa!!¡± As the lift rose, the white and blue lights shone down on me like needles. I forced a faint smile onto my lips. Yeah, I did that. It was time to finish it. Chapter 170 Chapter 170 Waaaaah! The cheers gradually faded away, and before I could adjust to the light, the spotlight that shone on me dimmed. Swoooosh¡­. At that moment, the sound of waves crashing roughly could be heard. Ssh, ssh¡­. At the same time, the VCR started to y. ¨C ¡°How did Ie so far?¡±[1] Following this, Kang Ichae¡¯s husky, low voice began the narration. It borrowed a famous line from a well-known sci-fi movie based on a book.¨C ¡°Everyone asked us, wondering if we had something.¡± Swoooosh¡­. The VCR showed close-ups of the members wearing outfits identical to the ones on stage. Though slightly different in detail, they wore ck, tight-fitting spandex shirts with webbing harnesses featuring buckles crossing their shoulders and chests. ¨C ¡°Then we told them, we never saved anything for the swim back.¡±[2] I nced down at the floor and brushed my lips once. The tight ck turtleneck was a bit ufortable. Toplement the song and avoid hindering the intense dance, this time we decided to go with techwear that minimized decorations. I purposely requested short sleeves for my outfit. So that the faint scars would show. ¨C ¡°Someughed, some worried, telling us there is definitely a limit.¡± The short and abrupt sound of a vi echoed. The low-register alternative rock music gradually escted. I recalled the memorized movements in my head. The moment I heard the plucking of vi strings¡ªthe prearranged signal¡ªI moved. Walking straight ahead, then five steps to the right¡ª ¨C ¡°But they do not know one thing.¡± ¡ªthen two steps forward again. In the VCR video, the waves grew more violent until they filled the screen. Ssh! Lightning struck, and in the dark night, a lone star appeared above the sea. I walked slowly in the darkness. Standing behind the backup dancers who had arrived earlier, I briefly brushed my eyes. And finally, I recited along with Kang Ichae¡¯s words. ¨C ¡°There¡¯s no gene for fate.¡± There¡¯s no gene for fate. Boom, boom boom! Wasn¡¯t this the perfect phrase for now? Lightning struck the sea, and the sound of thunder roared. Every time the sound of the wild waves swept the stage, the back dancers¡¯ bodies swayed as if they were waves themselves. Just in time, the title of the song appeared on the screen. [Stardust] This song,posed with the motif of a movie that suggested humans might have once been part of the stars, had a fitting title. Boom! As the piercing spotlight hit me, the backup dancers split to the sides, and the camera quickly zoomed in from the center. ¡°ck waves crash in, my heart pounds wildly, Am I suffocating?¡± Waaaaah! Strangely, the surrounding sounds buzzed, and even my own voice was hard to hear. As if I were underwater. ¡°Breathless, water fills in, I feel like I¡¯m going crazy with fear, Are we on the end?¡± Suddenly, I remembered how Kang Ichae was reluctant to give me these lyrics. Even though I didn¡¯t think much of it at the time. Thinking back to those days brought a slight smile to my lips. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Along with that, a strange sensation engulfed me. Perhaps from overexerting myself over the past few days, heat spread through my body, making me a bit dizzy, and the end of my voice was slightly rough from countless rehearsals. Even so, I knew. ¡°Hear this Thunder!¡± That this would be the best performance I¡¯ve ever done. Boom! As I swung my arm widely, white lightning struck from the VCR behind, and thunder rumbled again. At that moment, my ears cleared, and the sounds rushed in. ¡°A spark ignites in my heart, I will risk it all, I bet everything from the start, The point of no return.¡± A shiver ran up my spine at the sharp edge of Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s voice, which I hadn¡¯t heard before. In the very front, Jeong Dajun was fiercely rampaging without fear. ¡°Hear the thunder in my heart, We¡¯re not drifting, we¡¯re raging, We never saved anything to go back, We can never return, not for the first time.¡± Feeling the sticky sweat flow as I turned my body back¡ª ¡°Whatever you call this moment, Riot, Fate, Stardust, I don¡¯t care what you call it, The oue is already decided.¡± ¡ªKang Ichae, with a calm expression, stepped forward with the light at his back. ¡°When there is darkness, there is light, Lord, Please give us faith.¡± It was amazing to see someone who seemed to believe in nothing but Cheongbeom and himself rapping such lyrics with that expression. Seong Jiwon, who was waiting for his part beside me, nced at me once before striding forward. ¡°Stardust, the night sea is adorned with stars.¡± As Seong Jiwon¡¯s clear voice rang high, the stage effects burst brilliantly. ¡°We havee through the darkness for this moment.¡± And then¡­ Boom! Crash! Boom! The stage alternated between a blinding white light, as if it could burn everything, andplete darkness to create the effect of lightning striking the waves. ¡°We are bing Stardust.¡± Lights scattered so brightly that my vision turned white, decorating the space around me. Even though I didn¡¯t stop dancing, my eyshes trembled. When I thought about the audience, our fans, and probably my dongsaeng watching this performance right now¡ª ¡°We risked everything, fearlessly moving forward, We never saved anything to go back.¡± ¡ªI snapped back to reality. So even as I bit the inside of my cheek, I wore a confident smile on the outside. ¡°We¡¯re not lost, we¡¯re moving forward, We never saved anything to go back, We can never go back to the beginning.¡± As the members slowly gathered in the center, the sound of screams hit my ears. Swoosh¡­. We made eye contact and slowly headed toward the stairs set up behind us. Swoosh¡­. White flower petals fluttered down from the sky. ¡°Towards the light.¡± The song was racing towards its end. ¡°All the way to the end, Regardless of what lies ahead.¡± I tilted my head back, roughly pushing my sweat-soaked hair away from my face. One by one, the members sat on the stairs in their designated spots. After climbing to the top alone, I turned around and wagged my finger at the camera. The roar of the crowd, iparable to any other stage, twisted my lips into a grin. Yeah, didn¡¯t I say it? ¡°We are bing stardust.¡± This was going to be my best performance. Boom! . . . ¡°Gasp, gasp¡­.¡± As the stage ended, I was out of breath. My hands trembled uncontrobly, and I felt like I couldn¡¯t keep myself in check. The lights went out, and the cheers of the audience pierced through my in-ear monitor. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would leap out of my chest. As I stepped backstage to calm down, all the staff threw in theirments. ¡°Awesome! That stage was insane just now!¡± ¡°I got goosebumps. It would¡¯ve been even better if I had seen it from the front!¡± ¡°Seo Hoyun, you were flying on that stage!¡± Ignoring the members who were stealing nces at me while holding towels, I grabbed a staff member¡¯s arm and asked, ¡°Is the voting over now?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°The voting.¡± The staff seemed slightly flustered but quickly updated me on the situation. Despite the noisy atmosphere, I could infer enough from a few overheard words. Voting would close in thirty minutes, with the interim results showing a close race with High Five. ¡°Thank you.¡± I bowed my head in gratitude and approached the members. ¡°¨DHyung.¡± Jeong Dajun, who had been lively on stage, paused while wiping his sweat and looked at me. ¡°Take a break, Jeong Dajun.¡± My mind was clear, but my emotions were so heightened that I felt like I was floating. Securing second ce is certain. But what I needed was first ce. The key was how well my n had worked and how much public interest and votes had influenced the oue. ¡°Seo Hoyun, drink some water.¡± ¡°Yeah, thanks.¡± ¨C ¡°We are closing the voting now!¡± Back in the waiting room, we waited for the results. Silence circted among the members. A bit of time passed after the voting closed, and then we heard a staff member¡¯s voice. ¡°The Dawn, pleasee up!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± As we slowly walked back on stage, the fans of each group waved their light sticks and cheered. Knowing I wouldn¡¯t care too much, Kim Seonghyeon and Seong Jiwon stood in front of me, slightly obscuring my view. ¡°Now, we will announce the results!¡± I wasn¡¯t as nervous as I expected. ¡°5th ce, Bercy!¡± The group¡¯s name appeared on the screen behind the stage, followed by the MC Ha Seoyeon¡¯s voice. ¡°¡ª3rd ce, TEW!!¡± Apuse and eptance speeches followed, leaving only two groups remaining: High Five and The Dawn. Jeong Dajun clung closely to my side. ¡°Now, only 1st and 2nd ces remain. Before the announcement, let¡¯s reveal the total scores for the two groups.¡± With MC Ha Seoyeon¡¯s smooth smile, the tension-building BGM filled the live hall. ¡°The total score for 2nd ce is 29,200 points. And with 12,590 votes from the live performance, the group with a total score of 30,430 points, ranking 1st ce, is¡ª!!¡± The scattered lights suddenly focused on me. ¡°¡ªcongrattions¡ª!!¡± Boom! ¡°¡ªThe Dawn!!¡± Colorful confetti exploded, and petals fluttered down. The cheers were so loud they made my ears numb. A shiver ran through my spine, reaching the top of my head. A thrilling sense of pleasure apanied by overwhelming relief. ¡°¡­Ah.¡± Until the end, I couldn¡¯t ovee the point gap. Only after selling my family affairs did I barely manage to take first ce. Done. Anyway, it meant that I had achieved what I wanted by sticking through it. ¡°¡­Ahaha.¡± My face was facing forward, but my hands repeatedly clenched and unclenched to feel the reality. Pushing away the runaway conscience that tried to creep back into my chest, Iughed brightly. Then¡­ Ding! [Quest ¡õ¡õ!] [You havepleted ¡õ¡õ in Shining Star Season 2!] [¡­] [¡­] [¡­] [¡­] [¡ª¡­.] [E R R O R] [¡ªSome confidential information of the yer has been leaked unrted to the game.] [The settlement of rewards will be dyed.] [Processing¡ª¡­.] As if something went wrong, the system window popped up wildly, and then the phrase ¡°processing¡± appeared with an ellipsis slowly moving, showing no further response. Is it because I spilled my family affairs first? Originally, a significant increase in vocal stats should have been given as a reward. That¡¯s fine. I wanted to experiment with the penalty anyway, and it seemed things worked out not too badly. I decided to think about the detailster and brushed off the paper flowers stuck to my hair. Then, I took a step toward the members. ¡°Kim Seonghyeon, you¡ª¡± But I couldn¡¯t finish my sentence. Suddenly, Jeong Dajun, who was beside me, hugged me tightly and started crying his heart out. ¡°Hyung, huh, Hoyun-hyung¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Tears rolled down as if in aic book. ¡°Hyung, we¡­ huhuh¡­.¡± I roughly guessed the reason, so I just hugged him back and ruffled his hair. ¡°You said you¡¯re an adult, Jeong Dajun.¡± ¡°But¡­ huh¡­.¡± I didn¡¯t know why, but seeing Jeong Dajun cry made me feel a bit better, so I mentioned what I had said after the firstpetition of Shining Star Season 2 with a smile. ¡°How is it? Didn¡¯t I say I¡¯d take you on a roller coaster ride to first ce?¡± Then the maknae cried even more, like a faucet turned on. I was a bit flustered, but I had no one else to pass him on to calm him down. Seong Jiwon was also crying with his head down beside him. And behind him was Kim Seonghyeon. Is everyone crying? Just in case, I checked Kang Ichae, but he was just staring ahead with an expressionless face. ¡°Stop crying, stop.¡± Once Jeong Dajun calmed down a bit and pulled away, the High Five members approached and offered handshakes. It was a customary procedure to show respect between the winner and the losers in front of the camera. Kang Yeonhu, who had a natural smile, made a slightly odd expression when he stood in front of me and then extended his hand. ¡°Hoyun, you did well.¡± I shook his hand. ¡°Thank you.¡± Kang Yeonhu frowned at my light response but soon burst intoughter. As the chaotic atmosphere settled, it was time for the winner¡¯s remarks. Seeing Kim Seonghyeon, who shed as many tears as Jeong Dajun, I thought he wouldn¡¯t be able to speak properly, so I took the mic first. ¡°¡ªHello.¡± Today, the lights felt even brighter. ¡°I am Seo Hoyun from The Dawn.¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes gathered, and I deliberately smiled more shamelessly. A position I reached purely with my narrative. It was time to deliver the remarks everyone wanted and expected. [1] Anything bolded were originally in English. [2] The actual line from the movie was ¡°I never saved anything for the swim back.¡± Chapter 171 Chapter 171 Waaaaah! The screams filled the live hall with just the greeting alone. The pressure weighing down on me eased slightly at the thought that we had somehow finished this again. ¡°It was a long three months if you think it was long, and short if you think it was short.¡± At the same time, I noticed the fans waving their inverted triangle cheering sticks and slogans, looking at me with tear-streaked faces. ¡°At the end, we achieved first ce. It¡¯s all thanks to Noeul. I¡¯m sorry for causing you so much emotional pain these past few months.¡± Many people watching must have been curious about what I would say while shedding tears. But unfortunately, my eyes were as dry as dust. After expressing my gratitude by listing the names of people I had to mention as a matter of procedure, I hesitated for a moment and then spoke again.¡°I¡¯m also very grateful to the members. Despite my many unreasonable demands, you silently trusted and followed me.¡± When I nced to the side, Jeong Dajun, who had barely calmed down, started crying again and covered his face with both hands. I smiled as I looked at him. ¡°I also want to thank my family.¡± This was the perfect time to say what everyone wanted to hear. ¡°I always miss you.¡± After spitting out the rehearsed words, I slowly lowered the microphone. Then I patted Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s back, whose eyes were red. As Seonghyeon stepped forward, Seong Jiwon hugged me from the side. I felt a warm and damp sensation on my shoulder. ¡°¡­Hoyun.¡± After calling my name, Seong Jiwon just sniffled, unable to say anything more. Iforted him while waiting for Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s speech. Since I had already made the usual remarks that Seonghyeon would make, I thought he would share his thoughts on winning first ce. ¡°There¡¯s a lot I want to say, but Hoyun already covered it all.¡± However, Kim Seonghyeon said something unexpected and paused for a moment to catch his breath. ¡°Just as Noeul is always by our side.¡± The guy, who had bowed his head as if choked up, looked up again, smiling through his tear-streaked face. Our leader¡­ ¡°The five of us will always be together. Thank you.¡± He really was a good guy. . . . ¡°Great job!¡± ¡°Congrattions, The Dawn!¡± ¡°Wow, that was really touching. Congrattions!¡± As we came down from the stage, the staff bustling backstage each threw out a word of praise. All the members bowed their heads as they passed by them. Then, perhaps because the program had wrapped up safely until the final episode, the AD, who had the brightest expression so far, approached us. ¡°Are you going to the after-party?¡± ¡°Haha, the other members will go¡­¡± When I nced back, the members who had been following me were now a bit farther away, seemingly caught by other group members or staff. ¡°I¡¯m a bit tired.¡± ¡°Ah, I see. It¡¯s a shame because the atmosphere really heats up when you¡¯re around, Hoyun.¡± The AD seemed a bit regretful that I wouldn¡¯t be there to show off my drinking skills but didn¡¯t push further. Instead, he added, ¡°If there¡¯s another chance¡­¡± and then mimed twisting a shot ss with a snap of his wrist before quickly disappearing. Watching his retreating figure for a moment, I was about to call the members still caught by others when I noticed the group of mentors gathered at the end of the hallway. Wow¡­ Lim Hyeonsu, Joo Woosung, Ha Seoyeon, Han Chaeri. Even Chae Jeongwoo was there. ¡°Hey!¡± I thought about avoiding them to avoid any hassle, but I heard a familiar sound from behind. ¡°Hey, Seo Hoyun.¡± When I slowly turned my head, Lim Hyeonsu approached me with a bright smile. ¡°You didn¡¯t lose your cool. Congrattions on getting first ce, you brat.¡± ¡°Right. It¡¯s all thanks to you, Ms. Composer.¡± ¡°Wow~, look at you being smooth.¡± It was obvious how I got first ce, but Lim Hyeonsu didn¡¯t mention it. However, it was clear what people would whisper behind my back. They¡¯d say I sold my family drama to get first ce. Well, I admit it. Because it was true. ¡°The final song was good. It was absurdly good.¡± ¡°¡­Thanks to whom, again?¡± ¡°Puhaha.¡± I crossed my arms, watching Lim Hyeonsuugh heartily. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go to Kang Ichae? He¡¯d like that.¡± ¡°Hmm. Nah, I¡¯ll do itter.¡± Lim Hyeonsu, waving her handszily, nced at where Kang Ichae was and clicked her tongue softly. She stood there, exuding a cold aura,pletely ignoring her surroundings. As the back of my head tingled, I decided to ignore it for now. ¡°Are you going to the after-party?¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m nning to go alone first.¡± It was hard for all the winning team members to skip the after-party, so the other members nned to go. However, the person who stirred up all this drama couldn¡¯t very well join the party and show off his drinking skills with a smile. Thepany, the manager, and I all agreed on this. Even without exining it in detail, Lim Hyeonsu quickly grasped the situation. ¡°¡­Alright. Then let¡¯s grab a meal together once things settle down. My treat.¡± ¡°Of course, of course. I¡¯ll dly ept it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re as cheeky as you are shameless.¡± I averted my gaze from Lim Hyeonsu, who shook her head in disbelief, and my eyes met Joo Woosung¡¯s. He started walking briskly toward me. ¡°Seo Hoyun.¡± I thought things were getting bothersome, but there was nowhere to hide. Joo Woosung approached us, looking oddly tired. ¡°Uh¡­¡± He rubbed his neck awkwardly after starting to speak. ¡°¡­Congrattions on getting first ce.¡± ¡°Well, yeah. Thanks to you, sunbae-nim.¡± ¡°Hey!! You said it was thanks to me earlier!¡± Joo Woosung, his eyes narrowing at Lim Hyeonsu¡¯s interruption, let out a dryugh. ¡°What do you expect from this guy, noona? He¡¯s really good at saying empty words.¡± After disparaging me like that, he just stood still with his mouth slightly open. So, I decided to take the initiative. ¡°Sunbae-nim, thank you so much for everything.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± ¡°I really received a lot of help.¡± When I first saw Joo Woosung on TV and targeted him, I never imagined we¡¯d keep in touch and that he¡¯d help me this much. Honestly, I still didn¡¯t fully understand it. The idea of someone helping their ckmailer without anything in return. I smiled slyly at the speechless Woosung. ¡°And I believe you¡¯ll continue to help me in the future? I still have a long way to go.¡± ¡°¡­¡± I thought he would curse or at leastugh, but Joo Woosung just showed a vague expression. In that strange atmosphere, just as I raised my eyebrows, Lim Hyeonsu grabbed Joo Woosung by the nape of his neck. ¡°Hey, that¡¯s enough. This guy is not just fine; he¡¯s healthier than me. Woosung, let¡¯s go grab a drink at the after-party.¡± ¡°¡­Ha, I don¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go blow some beer bottles~!! Lim Hyeonsu, who had also grabbed Chae Jeongwoo, dragged the reluctant Joo Woosung away,ughing all the while. I shrugged my shoulders once and approached the other members. ¡°What are you doing?¡± The members, who had been chatting with various people just a moment ago, were now huddled together, whispering. When I squeezed in, Dajun clung to me. Out of habit, I patted his head, and the maknae, rolling his eyes, spouted nonsense. ¡°¡­Hoyun-hyung, can I skip the after-party too?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°¡­I don¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°Just go.¡± Even a top-tier celebrity would have to think twice about skipping such an event without a reason. Let alone someone at The Dawn¡¯s level, who would instantly bebeled as rude. ¡°Jeong Dajun.¡± Kim Seonghyeon sighed, detaching Jeong Dajun¡¯s arms wrapped around me. ¡°Mr. Jeong Dajun, the adult, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Jeong Dajun moved reluctantly, casting lingering nces my way. ¡°Hoyun, be careful.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Seong Jiwon waved while pushing the dawdling maknae along. Even then, Kang Ichae hadn¡¯t said a word. As I turned around at the manager¡¯s call, an uneasy feeling lingered. But soon, my thoughts shifted to how I could erase the public¡¯s sympathy and what steps to take to reshape my image. ¡°I¡¯ll head back first, thank you.¡± ¡°You really did a great job! Hoyun, you¡¯re amazing!¡± ¡°Yes, thank you.¡± I maintained a smile as I headed to the van. Since I was going straight to the dorm, I didn¡¯t bother changing clothes. Our manager was attending the after-party with the other members, so I was with our road manager. ¡°You were amazing today!¡± ¡°Haha, Manager Ji, you worked hard too. Take care.¡± I greeted him as I got out of the car when we finally arrived at the dorm. ¡°¡­¡± After entering the password on the door lock and stepping inside, the quiet living room came into view. ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± I carefully hung my clothes on a hanger and took a shower. Then, I aimlessly walked around, flopping down on the sofa and turning on the TV. After flipping through a few channels, I turned off the TV and picked up my phone. Buzz. I nned to check today¡¯s reactions. As soon as I turned on my phone, a flood of missed calls and unread messages poured in.¡± The name that appeared most frequently was Seo Hojin. [Seo Hojin] I shook my still-damp hair roughly with one hand and threw myself onto the bed. I skimmed through the messages first, then checked the texts. While looking at the conversation with Seo Hojin, I suddenly realized. ¨C Seo Hojin: Happy New Year ¨C Me: ??[1] Even on New Year¡¯s. ¨C Seo Hojin: Hyung ¨C Seo Hojin: Happy Birthday ¨C Me: ??[2] ¡­Even on my birthday. ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± Since bing an idol, most of my conversations with my dongsaeng started with him texting me first, and me replying briefly muchter. At least I could make the excuse that I didn¡¯t text him on his birthday because we met in person. Was I really¡­ like that? After hesitating a bit, I sent a text. ¨C Me: Hey As if he had been waiting for it, a call came in immediately, but I ignored it, and with sleepy eyes, I typed again. ¨C Me: Hyung won But even after a while, there was no reply. I stared at the phone until I almost fell asleep, but then the phone vibrated. ¨C Seo Hojin: Answer your phone ¡°Idiot¡­¡± I had a feeling I knew why. ¨C Me: Let¡¯s meet tomorrow ¨C Me: And bring a big bouquet I added a joke to lighten the mood. If he actually brought it, I couldugh and tease him. Since I had no schedule the next day, I also wanted to check on Hojin¡¯s condition myself. This should be fine. My nerves, which had been on edge recently, loosened up, and sleepiness overwhelmed me. Now, I Just need to handle the aftermath well. Though I had taken a bit of a risk, it wasn¡¯t a bad oue. Getting criticized was inevitable in the entertainment industry. This incident made me an idol with a story, someone who could be utilized again in variety shows or other appearances. After all, the public always chose the people who appeared frequently in front of the camera¡ª Just as I thought that, my eyelids felt incredibly heavy. At that moment when my eyes closed, and I was about to doze off. ¡°¡­Huff!¡± With a gasp, I bolted upright. ¡°Huff, ha¡­¡± With trembling hands, I fumbled to touch my shoulders and arms. Cold sweat trickled down my back. ¡°Ah, shit¡­¡± My left arm started to go numb. [1] Means ¡°yeah¡± [2] Short for ¡°??,¡± which means ¡°thanks¡± in Korean Chapter 172 Chapter 172 ¡°We¡¯re here!¡± I had given up on sleeping and was tossing and turning when the members came home rtively early and in decent condition. It seemed they had only shown their faces at the event for an hour or two out of courtesy. However, one spot was empty. ¡°Where¡¯s Kang Ichae?¡± Kang Ichae was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Uh, Ichae¡¯s at thepany. Said he was working.¡± Given his usual personality, he would either be the first to suggest a get-together with the members or hole up in his room ying games. ¡°¡­Well, okay.¡±I knew I couldn¡¯t just leave Kang Ichae alone like this, but I felt that if I tried to intervene now, it would only make things worse, so I decided to postpone dealing with this issue. I greeted the tired-looking members and returned to my room. In the end, Iy in bed alone and stayed up all night. In thete afternoon, I rubbed my tired eyes, got ready, and headed out. The destination was a restaurant that served neat traditional Korean meals. I was guided to a private room I had reserved over the phone and was casually flipping through the menu while waiting for my guest. After a short while, the sliding door burst open. ¡°Hyung!!¡± ¡°¡­Whoa, you scared me.¡± I looked up, wondering where he had picked up such a habit, only to see Seo Hojin approaching with his eyebrows raised. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you been answering your phone?¡± Despite his expression and the volume of his voice, his tone was cautious. ¡°Because it¡¯s annoying.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Seo Hojin red at me with dissatisfaction at my indifferent reply. Ignoring him, I pressed the call bell and ordered the meal from the staff. Seeing my nonchnt attitude, Seo Hojin¡¯s cheeks twitched in frustration. ¡°¡­Right, like I could have a conversation with that guy. Calm down, Hojin. You¡¯re doing great, Hojin. You¡¯re the best, Hojin.¡± ¡°That guy? You wanna die?¡± Even though my eyebrow twitched, I didn¡¯t say anything more and plopped into the seat across from him. At least he seems okay. I thought I might need tofort him today, but seeing him talk and grumble reassured me a bit. It meant he had the luxury to do so. ¡°Hyung, you know¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s eat first.¡± Just then, the staff came in and filled the table with food. I raised my spoon first to stop him from talking, and after a moment¡¯s hesitation, Seo Hojin sighed and picked up his chopsticks. His lips were still pouted, but he ate the food heartily. ¡°Is it good?¡± ¡°¡­Yeah, it¡¯s good.¡± After swallowing a spoonful of soup, I watched him finish his meal before asking. ¡°How¡¯s your health?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you see? I¡¯m all better.¡± He seemed unusually irritable today, even though he was past his adolescent years. As I picked up a side dish with my chopsticks, I noticed a shopping bag in my peripheral vision. Seeing the leaves and petals peeking out, I realized Seo Hojin had actually bought a bouquet. Did he really buy that? What kind of guy in his twenties buys something just because his hyung told him to? I scratched my head, feeling both amused and awkward. As I wondered when I could tease him about it, I suddenly remembered receiving a simr gift from Seo Hojin in the past. There was a letter with it back then. I had preserved a few petals in the letter. Where did I put it? Is this filial piety? Seo Hojin had a tendency to do things that were more typical between parents and children or siblings. I was lost in unnecessary thoughts about how he might end up giving me carnations, money tissues, and money bouquets in the name of filial piety when Seo Hojin abruptly put down his soup bowl with a tter. ¡°Now that we¡¯re done eating, let¡¯s talk.¡± ¡°Oh, sure.¡± It was obvious even without asking. It must be about the leak. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Since I did it, of course, I was okay. Even if he knew my personality, he wouldn¡¯t think I¡¯d go this far. ¡°Of course.¡± Despite my answer, the worry didn¡¯t disappear from Seo Hojin¡¯s eyes as he looked at me. ¡°Are you okay? You¡¯re keeping your promise not to talk about me outside, right?¡± Seo Hojin nodded slowly without a word. ¡°That¡¯s a relief. Keep doing that.¡± In this industry, no matter how well you hide it, there was no such thing as perfect privacy. For now, people might look at me with sympathy, but you never know when that could turn into a sharp weapon. Moreover, there was no need to put thebel of ¡°orphan¡± on Seo Hojin, who was doing well in a good university as the ss president. I just wanted the kid to live an ordinary life. Today, tomorrow¡ªunchanged. This is enough. Seo Hojin was healthy, and he was eating well in front of me. The faces of the other members briefly crossed my mind, but I quickly brushed them off. I was about to end the conversation, feeling relieved that it was a good conclusion¡ª ¡°Was there really nothing wrong?¡± ¡ªwhen Seo Hojin gave me a doubtful look. ¡°I was perfectly healthy.¡± ¡°Really? For real? Swear to the sky?¡± ¡°This kid is persistent. Why, are you worried?¡± I was honestly taken aback by Seo Hojin¡¯s unusually persistent questioning. Instead of saying anything unnecessary, I decided to ease his anxiety. ¡°It¡¯s in the past, Hojin.¡± I said it with an expression that showed it really was nothing. ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean anything anymore.¡± As I even gave a faint smile, Seo Hojin averted his gaze. Under the table, I nervously flicked my nails and took a sip of water. My conscience was increasingly trying to invade at all times. After all, I was the one who had stirred up a quiet incident. And I was the one who had made Seo Hojin show such an expression. ¡°Oh, right. I got some time off this time.¡± With the end of Shining Star Season 2 and the preparation for the new album, I had received some vacation time. I thought I might go back home for a while and indulge in a bit ofziness. ¡°Let¡¯s go see our parents together after a long time, and if you need anything, let¡¯s go shopping.¡± Feeling that I had been neglecting Seo Hojintely, I spoke softly, even though it wasn¡¯t like me, and it made me feel itchy inside. ¡°And if there¡¯s anything you want to do, you can do it with hyung¡­¡± Just as I was awkwardly continuing my words, I was taken aback. Tears started to fall from Seo Hojin¡¯s eyes. ¡°¡­!!¡± Why, all of a sudden? ¡°Hey, uh¡­ why are you crying?¡± Normally, I would haveughed and teased him, but I was sopletely at a loss that I was left dumbfounded. Seo Hojin red at me with red eyes. ¡°Hyung, you¡¯re really good at lying.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± Unconsciously, I flinched and pulled back. Did he find out that I was the one who spread the news about our parents¡¯ ident? My slow-beating heart started to race. Seo Hojin wiped his eyes with his sleeve. ¡°Dajun called me. He said hyung was acting strange.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°After the leak, hyung was out of it for days. He said you were living like a zombie, not sleeping properly. He asked if it was okay to leave you like that.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°He even said you were overdoing it every time you got sick.¡± Although Seo Hojin¡¯s tone was usatory, the fact that he hadn¡¯t discovered my role in the leak was the first thing that registered in my mind. At the same time, even though I knew he acted out of concern, a sense of betrayal toward Jeong Dajun crept in. ¡°Why is Jeong Dajun calling you?¡± ¡°Is that really the issue right now?¡± Seo Hojin¡¯s expression gradually crumbled. Since workce issues had never affected my family, I was overwhelmed by the unprecedented situation. Ha, I shouldn¡¯t have brought them to the house¡­ ¡°It¡¯s just a fuss.¡± I clicked my tongue in annoyance, ruffling my hair, and let out a long sigh. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to those people from my workce.¡± ¡°¡­No.¡± No? We had already settled these kinds of matters years ago. And now he was saying no? I wanted to say something, but I had my own faults, and I didn¡¯t want to be harsh to my crying dongsaeng. In the end, all I could do was to muster up all the patience I could. ¡°You can just hear it from me. Involving others will only make it more troublesome.¡± ¡°I said no.¡± Fuck. ¡°Do you want to die? Why aren¡¯t you listening to me?¡± Yeah, trying to act like a kind hyung didn¡¯t suit me. ¡°Just ignore whoever contacts you and tell them you don¡¯t have a hyung, you brat.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± Seo Hojin tilted his head, looking incredulous. ¡°Then you should also act like you don¡¯t have a dongsaeng and stop caring about what I do.¡± ¡°¡­??¡± ¡°Actually, why don¡¯t we just cut ties altogether?¡± His extreme response made my blood pressure rise. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. Are you crazy?¡± ¡°Why, can¡¯t we do that?¡± But Seo Hojin seemed equally pissed off. ¡°What difference does it make if we cut ties? I hear more about you from celebrity articles than directly from you. Did you know I get more notifications about school fees than calls from you?¡± Words poured out in a rush. ¡°Hyung, I even turned down Dajun when he asked if he coulde over. I thought you¡¯d hate it. I kept thinking you¡¯d tell me eventually.¡± Seo Hojin, who had been holding back his feelings, finally closed his eyes tightly. ¡°But you never contacted me, not once.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Seo Hojin, gritting his teeth, stood up and let out a small breath. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve been staring at my phone whenever I had time, just in case you called.¡± I could only watch my dongsaeng¡¯s behavior in a daze, as if I had been hit. ¡°When I finally got a text from you¡­¡± Seo Hojin, struggling topose himself, rubbed his tear-streaked eyes with his sleeve and red at me. ¡°What? ¡®Hyung won¡¯?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Fucking bouquet?!¡± Still upset, Seo Hojin took the bouquet he had carefully packed in a shopping bag and threw it at me. Whack! ¡°Ouch!¡± ¡°Yeah, fuck. Here¡¯s the bouquet you were so excited about.¡± ¡°¡­!!¡± ¡°Congrattions on your first ce, you fuck.¡± The bouquet hit me square in the face and fell to the floor, petals scattering around. ¡°What, what.¡± I was so shocked by the wordsing out of Seo Hojin¡¯s mouth that I stood up, stammering. ¡°Fuck? Fuck?! Did you just say that to me? And you dare hit your hyung?¡± ¡°Yeah, I did. So what? You got a problem with that?¡± ¡°Where did you learn to talk like that?!¡± ¡°Where do you think? Who do you think I¡¯ve been watching all this time?¡± Yeah, you learned the useless stuff exceptionally well, you brat. I pressed my hand against my forehead, feeling the heat of my anger. ¡°I don¡¯t even want to see your face for a while. Don¡¯te home.¡± ¡°You idiot, that¡¯s my house!¡± ¡°I changed the door code.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Grabbing the back of my neck due to the rising blood pressure from his repeated rebellion, Seo Hojin took money out of his wallet and mmed it on the table. ¡°I¡¯m leaving. I don¡¯t need to see your face, just contact me sometimes.¡± ¡°What the, hey! Hey!! Are you noting back?!¡± And then he quickly left. ¡°Hey, Seo Hojin¡­!!¡± I couldn¡¯t even raise my voice out of embarrassment. I wanted to drag my dongsaeng back and give him a few good knocks on the head, but I just sighed repeatedly and slumped into a chair. ¡°Wow¡­, haha, hahaha¡­¡± I couldn¡¯t believe the series of events that had just happened, and a hollowugh escaped me. ¡°Does that brat really think we¡¯re the same age?¡± Calling me out¡­ that brat to his hyung¡­! ¡°Damn it, I raised him wrong. Oh, my blood pressure¡­¡± I flicked away the petals scattered on the table with my fingers. As my anger subsided, all that was left was regret. I picked up the bouquet and put it back in the shopping bag, mulling over Hojin¡¯s words. We shouldn¡¯t have met. ¡°Ah~.¡± I just wanted to have a good meal together and see his face. It seemed he was also under a lot of stress. Thinking that, my stomach churned and I let out another sigh. ¡°That brat, he really inherited my temper¡­¡± Grumbling, I chugged the half-filled ss of water. My regret finally sank to the bottom, making way for another emotion to surface. He still doesn¡¯t know. After all, Seo Hojin was still unaware. That I had spread the news myself. Even though he was crying and causing a scene, there was no worry, concern, guilt, or remorse for our parents. That naive brat. Fuck, at least I felt relieved. Chapter 173 Chapter 173 <Shining Star¡­ When is the G Concert?> The final broadcast aired, and the program wrapped up more smoothly than expected. Although it wasrgely due to Kim Heeyeon¡¯s adept handling, the fact that an idol who had endured their parents¡¯ ident, continued working steadfastly for over a year, and even won first ce in thepetition deeply moved the public. A flood of sympathetic opinions poured out in an instant. [Congrattions?? I cried watching the final remarks??] [Truly an amazing young man. I support you.] [I heard he was with his parents when they passed away¡­ That young kid went through so much. I¡¯ll support you??] [Did they bring this up now to get sympathy votes? The agency is really good at their job.][Squeezing out a tragic backstory??] Of course, as much attention as there was, negativements also overflowed. The increasingly sensitive Noeuls ground their teeth every time an article popped up. [Please stop posting articles about this!!!! Respect Daepaseong¡¯s privacy, seriously¡­ fucking annoying] [I get so tired every time thises up¡­ My friends keep reaching out because they know I like Hoyun, and I don¡¯t even want to respond anymore. I wish they¡¯d stop pretending to know me.] [Seriously, I want to chop off the heads of those who suddenly act like they know everything and leave pityments. What do they even know?] But as for me, I calmly acknowledged and moved past the maliciousments while munching on the apple Seong Jiwon had cut for me. After all, it was something I had orchestrated. Moreover, there was an added benefit, so it was all good. [Oh? How did our view count go up so much?] [Hey;; Seo Hoyun¡¯s fancam views are legendary right now] [??? What¡¯s up with Stardust¡¯s stage?] As my family situation became known, the views on The Dawn-rted videos on YouTube skyrocketed exponentially. Several songs climbed the real-time music charts, and my final remarks were clipped and circted on SNS and variousmunities. It was important to strike while the iron was hot, but pushing this narrative too far could tarnish my image. I was used to getting cursed at, but I couldn¡¯t let it affect The Dawn. Since it was vacation time anyway, I chose to stay low-key rather than show my face to the public. After all, the n to spend my vacation with Seo Hojin fell through. ¡°Jeong Dajun.¡± On the day I met Seo Hojin, I gathered every petal from the bouquet he gave me and brought them back to the dorm. As soon as I entered the living room and saw Jeong Dajun, I was about to say something¡­ ¡°Yes, yes?!¡± Seeing him fluster around like a puppy needing to pee, I wondered what I could even say to someone fourteen years younger than me. ¡°¡­No, it¡¯s fine.¡± Seeing his face made me unable to speak. Narrow-minded as I was, I deliberately exuded a rough aura, sighing repeatedly before retreating to my room. I thought I might as well catch up on myck of sleep. ¡°Haa¡­¡± But sleep didn¡¯te easily. It had been like that recently My roommate, Kang Ichae, hadn¡¯t shown his face in the roomtely, and, ording to the members, he had practically moved into thepany¡¯s studio. Thanks to that, I could hide my condition, but I wasn¡¯t sure if I should consider that fortunate. I knew I couldn¡¯t leave things as they were with Kang Ichae, but I kept postponing dealing with it, using Seo Hojin as an excuse. Thus, all I did was fiddle with my phone, picking it up, and then putting it down repeatedly. Seriously, what a mess. I didn¡¯t want to see his face, but asking me to contact him¡ªwhat was that about? I would have preferred to be swamped with work to clear my mind, but thepany seemed to have postponed everything, including the concerts and reality shows, with no updates at all. My phone kept buzzing, but it was all pointless messages. Kang Yeonhu, Jeong Wonha, and others. People I barely knew kept texting me, but the one number I was waiting for¡ªSeo Hojin¡¯s¡ªremained silent. In the end, I spent my nights tossing and turning in bed with my phone in my hand, staying awake all night. What am I supposed to do? A few days passed like that, and just as I was about to doze off¡­ Bzzzz. The sound of my phone vibrating woke me up. I sprung up and answered the call. ¡°Hello?¡± ¨C ¡°Hey,e out.¡± It wasn¡¯t the voice I was hoping for. Feeling deted, Iy back down and wiped the slight sweat from my forehead. ¡°Who is this?¡± ¨C ¡°Do you want to die? Come out quickly. You promised to treat us.¡± It was Lim Hyeonsu. Judging by theughter in the background, she seemed to have already had a drink. I wasn¡¯t in the mood, but a promise was a promise, so I reluctantly put on some clothes and headed to the location she texted me. As I entered the ce, taking off my earphones, I saw some familiar backs of heads. Joo Woosung, Kim Heeyeon, and Lim Hyeonsu. ¡°Wow!!!¡± They were the group that enjoyed teasing me the most. ¡°Kyaa!! Seo Hoyun is here!¡± And they were already quite tipsy. Fortunately, it seemed they had rented out the whole ce as the other tables were empty. What time is it¡­? I sighed softly and sat next to Joo Woosung. ¡°When is this gathering going to end?¡± ¡°It¡¯s already a regr thing. Remember we even sent a coffee truck to your drama shoot? We¡¯re thinking of creating a group fund.¡± ¡°How much should we pitch in?¡± ¡°Fifty thousand won each.¡± ¡°What¡¯s fifty thousand won? It should be at least a hundred thousand won to maintain face.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s do that~!!¡± For a group including a famous idol, aposer, and a PD, the amount seemed rather modest. ¡°Are you going to drink?¡± ¡°No.¡± I knew I wasn¡¯t in great shape. Drinking with this group could lead to who knows what, so I declined. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll drink then. Something expensive.¡± But the table was only filled with a few bottles of beer and soju. I took the beer bottle from Kim Heeyeon, who was looking around for an opener, and opened it with a spoon. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s so cool?¡± Ignoring Joo Woosung, who was muttering with ears turning red, I poured beer into Kim Heeyeon¡¯s ss with the perfect ratio of foam to beer and smirked. ¡°Thank you for your hard work on the program, PD Kim.¡± This was my social life. Even if it was an ex-girlfriend, I had to be polite if needed. ¡°Wow~~! Thank you. Seo Hoyun, you worked really hard too!!¡± She¡¯s drunk¡­ ¡°Seo Hoyun! The Dawn being number one is honestly awesome!!¡± ¡°They¡¯re amazing!! Damn!! Thest ¡®Stardust¡¯ song was perfectly done. Kang Ichae, that guy!¡± ¡°Hey, he doesn¡¯t even need to go to California!¡± ¡°So fucking annoying!¡± They¡¯re drunk¡­ Lim Hyeonsu excitedly joined in on Kim Heeyeon¡¯s words. Then she squinted at me with a smirk. ¡°Hey, can you tell Kang Ichae that I want to see my student too?¡± ¡°No.¡± I immediately shut down any potential scandal. It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen Kang Ichae myself, so it wouldn¡¯t be easy to deliver the message anyway. I munched on the peanuts set up as basic snacks and asked Joo Woosung. ¡°When did they start?¡± ¡°Around three hours ago¡­¡± It seemed Joo Woosung was the most sober. I was genuinely surprised. As far as I knew, Kim Heeyeon was a heavy drinker. In an instant, as they were deep in conversation, Kim Heeyeon and Lim Hyeonsu suddenly shifted the topic and started talking about Joo Woosung. ¡°Ha, even before the stage, our Joo Woosung was boasting how The Dawn¡¯s skills would make them number one. He was always so restless!¡± ¡°He said it so often that the mentors got tired of hearing it. Even Chae Jeongwoo and Han Chaeri!¡± ¡°Grrr, to be acknowledged by someone like Joo Woosung from ck Call, you must be number one!¡± ¡°Ahaha.¡± Not really, I used everything avable to secure the first ce. I wet my dry mouth with water instead of beer and gave a sheepish smile. After saying all they wanted, the two troublemakers stood up with satisfied expressions. ¡°Heeyeon-ah, let¡¯s go for the next round!¡± ¡°Sure, Hyeonsu~!¡± ¡°Kyaa~. Let¡¯s go, Heeyeon~.¡± They were so excited, humming songs as they left the ce,pletely oblivious to my disapproving re. ¡°That bastard, he ignored all my calls but ran over as soon as Heeyeon-noona called¡­.¡± Joo Woosung, who had been quietly drinking, muttered under his breath. ¡°Are you drunk?¡± ¡°Look at this air. Alcohol is literally floating around. How can anyone not get drunk?¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°I want some kimchi fried rice¡­.¡± I thought he was sober, but seeing him talk nonsense, I guess not. ¡°So, Joo Woosung, did you really praise me that much?¡± ¡°Gack.¡± Joo Woosung, who was drinking beer straight from the bottle, choked at my words. His reaction was so funny that I chuckled, and he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand while ring at me. ¡°Once you bite, you never let go, huh, you brat.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t just praising you but your entire group.¡± Joo Woosung, seemingly having given up and thinking he would get nagged by me anyway, decided to be honest. ¡°Han Chaeri and I went to see you guys. We realized you were number one in terms of skills.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°But honestly, I thought you¡¯de in second.¡± To be honest, I would have been satisfied with second ce if it weren¡¯t for the penalties. ¡°Honestly, you weregging behind in both capital and fandom.¡± ¡°True.¡± But I had done too much to turn back. I hated spending time regretting the past, and it was way better to do what I could now. In the end, I even sold out my family. At this point, there was nothing left I couldn¡¯t do. I¡¯ll probably do more from now on. Well, it¡¯s not surprising anymore. I could easily predict what words woulde next. You¡¯ve been through a lot, sorry to hear that, or something like that. ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t win¡ª¡± So, what should I reply with? It¡¯s no big deal, don¡¯t worry about it, if I say something like that¡­ ¡°¡ªuntil you spread your personal affairs yourself.¡± ¡­Would that work, I wondered. ¡°What did you just say?¡± Just now, what did Joo Woosung say? How on earth¡­ Kim Jaeyeon? No, no way. I was so caught off guard by Joo Woosung¡¯s words that I couldn¡¯t even make an excuse, and he sipped his drink with a casual expression. ¡°It¡¯s you, right?¡± ¡°Where did you hear something like that?¡± ¡°¡­Ah.¡± Joo Woosung, who had slightly raised the corners of his mouth, opened a new bottle of soju and poured it into his beer ss. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t hear anything. Actually, no one knows.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°But you know, you get a feeling.¡± Joo Woosung downed his drink in one go and bit into a piece of squid. ¡°You know, I¡¯ve learned a lot in my years in the entertainment industry. Once a rumor starts to spread, it spreads uncontrobly fast, but usually, no matter how much of a jerk someone is, it surprisingly doesn¡¯te to the public¡¯s attention.¡± On that point, I agreed as well. As a PD, I had seen countless irredeemable scumbags, but in front of the public, they maintained a pure and innocent image. ¡°That¡¯s probably why I can still manage my image and be here despite dating so much. I realized that much.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°There aren¡¯t many scandals that blow up without reason.¡± Dating, assaults, power trips, drugs¡­ whatever it was. Smoke could indeed rise from a chimney without fire. But most of the time, it¡¯s usually someone with a motive or a third party who leaks it for revenge or fun. ¡°Your family issues are the same. If it were meant to spread, it would have been talked about a long time ago. But the timing is just too perfect.¡± Since when had Joo Woosung been figuring me out? After I threatened him? When Kim Seonghyeon was misrepresented in Shining Star Season 1? When Today suddenly got screwed over? Or¡ª ¡­There are too many. Joo Woosung spoke with an apologetic expression but with a strange certainty in his eyes. No one had noticed until now, but Joo Woosung was the first to figure it out. Even drunk, his face was annoyingly sharp, and I rubbed my eyes. Joo Woosung is impressive. ¡°Why? What are you trying to say?¡± I hadn¡¯t admitted it directly, but it was as good as acknowledging it. ¡°It really was you, huh.¡± ¡°Did you take a guess without being for sure?¡± ¡°Why did you do it?¡± ¡°To be number one.¡± Joo Woosung stared at me for a while in silence. ¡°¡­Do you not regret doing such things?¡± ¡°Not really.¡± If I were going to regret it, I wouldn¡¯t have started in the first ce. I poured a mix of beer and soju into Joo Woosung¡¯s ss andughed. ¡°I¡¯d do it again if I could go back.¡± No matter how many times I went back, the result would be the same. When I said that, Joo Woosung looked at me, paused slightly, and took a deep breath. ¡°Crazy bastard¡­¡± Chapter 174 Chapter 174 Joo Woosung, looking parched, lifted the ss I poured and downed it in one shot. Then, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he suddenly let out a chuckle. ¡°I swear, I thought I¡¯d seen it all here, but you¡¯re a first.¡± A myriad of expressions flitted across his face, but after a long moment of just his lips twitching, Joo Woosung finally asked one simple question. ¡°Are you¡­ okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°No, I mean your mental state.¡± Joo Woosung said it like that. It was just a question, but given the situation, it pissed me off that Joo Woosung even asked.I propped my chin up with one hand and tilted my head to re at him. ¡°I said I¡¯m fine.¡± With an unreadable expression, Joo Woosung looked directly into my eyes. Then, he suddenly brought up somethingpletely out of the blue. ¡°Do you remember when I told you about the mission and the pre-selected contestants during Shining Star Season 1?¡± I remembered. But why bring that up now? ¡°Back then, you said you owed me one and to let you know if I ever needed anything. Do you remember that?¡± ¡°¡­When was that again?¡± ¡°I asked if you remember.¡± Despite my evident annoyance, Joo Woosung asked firmly. I hesitated, considering whether to deny it, but eventually clicked my tongue and nodded. ¡°I want to use that now.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Wait a second.¡± He then rummaged through his pocket and pulled out his wallet. I had no idea what he was up to, so I just watched quietly. ¡°Is it some pocket money?¡± ¡°Shut up for a second.¡± Joo Woosung pulled out a small piece of paper from his wallet and handed it to me. ¡°Here.¡± I took it absentmindedly. It was a small white business card. It read, ¡°Psychiatry.¡± ¡°Go see them when you have time.¡± Are you crazy? I flipped the card back and forth. ¡°It¡¯s a very private ce, so you don¡¯t have to worry about anyone finding out you¡¯re going to a hospital. If you need, I can tell you how to get there.¡± ¡°¡­Why do you have this card?¡± ¡°Why do you need to know?¡± Joo Woosung snapped, taking another sip of his drink. ¡°Modern medicine hase a long way. Just go when you have time.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I can see you¡¯re falling apart in the inside.¡± ¡­Was this really the Joo Woosung that I knew? Where did the guy who was always 2% short on awareness go? Now he was sharp as a tack. ¡°Can this really be considered paying back a debt?¡± ¡°Of course. I was saving this to mess you up, but now I¡¯m using it out of the goodness of my heart.¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you save it forter?¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m fucking awesome.¡± ¡°¡­¡± I gave him a cold stare, but Joo Woosung ran his fingers through his hair, unfazed. It pissed me off a bit. ¡°Do your members know you caused all this?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± ¡°Yeah, no sane person would think that.¡± Even though he was the one who asked, Joo Woosungughed incredulously. ¡°Anyway, be good to your members. They were really crying their eyes out. If it were me, I¡¯d be pissed off, but they¡¯re way too nice¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s probably one person who¡¯s pissed.¡± ¡°Ah, Kang Ichae.¡± As I took a sip of beer, Joo Woosung chuckled. ¡°You should¡¯ve taken better care of them from the start. I told you, it¡¯s a team after all. Do you think you can handle everything on your own? No way.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Not wanting to respond, I just tapped the table and then asked. ¡°So, are you only close with Chae Jeongwoo?¡± ¡°¡­Hey.¡± ¡°I heard you¡¯re quite distant with your group.¡± Joo Woosung bit his lower lip, looking quite stung. ¡°Where did you hear that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s quite famous.¡± ¡°Ha¡­ damn it, people sure talk a lot. I¡¯m trying to fix that.¡± Joo Woosung pouted as he grabbed some food with his chopsticks. Then, with a slightly redder face, he added another remark. ¡°¡­Let¡¯s both try harder, you and me.¡± Before I could respond, Lim Hyeonsu and Kim Heeyeon returned. I quickly stuffed the business card into my pocket. Lim Hyeonsu, oblivious to the conversation between me and Joo Woosung, looked at me with a somewhat clearer face, having freshened up outside, and ced a cigarette pack and lighter in my chest pocket. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Smoke and forget.¡± Even as I red at her, Lim Hyeonsu remained unfazed, shouting that we should move on to the fourth round. ¡°I¡¯m heading home first.¡± ¡°Oh~. Where are you going!!¡± ¡°He¡¯s busy~. He doesn¡¯t want to hang out with us~.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m really busy.¡± If I stayed any longer, I¡¯d be dragged around by these drunks all night, so I quickly ditched them and grabbed a taxi. When I arrived at the dorm, all the lights were off, and it was quiet. It was already past midnight. Even though they knew I¡¯d arrived, no one came out of their rooms. Without even changing my clothes, I went straight to bed. I was still tired, but my mood wasn¡¯t too bad. I massaged my tingling left arm and gathered my thoughts. ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± Then, I rummaged through my pocket and took out the business card. I hadn¡¯t thought about it at all until Joo Woosung brought it up again today, but I had gone to counseling before, so I wasn¡¯tpletely against it. Going to the hospital wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea, but¡­ It¡¯s not a fundamental solution. Even if I went, there were too many things I couldn¡¯t talk about honestly. Well, I¡¯d go anyway. I hadn¡¯t expected Joo Woosung to call in his favor this way, but I was someone who kept promises no matter what. As long as it¡¯s not a scenario, it doesn¡¯t matter¡­ I had always wondered why Joo Woosung was so good to me. I tucked the business card into my wallet and thought of something else. Joo Woosung¡¯s asional attempts to act like a sunbae always went in one ear and out the other, but today, something stuck with me. The fact that we were a team, after all. I looked at the still-empty bed beside mine. Leaving things as they were could cause problems during our activities. I couldn¡¯t stay stuck here forever anyway. ¡°¡­Alright.¡± Gathering my resolve, I jumped out of bed and headed straight to thepany. . . . ¡°So¡ª¡± I barged into thepany in the early morning to confront Kang Ichae directly. ¡°¡ªdid you figure it out?¡± Kang Ichae, who was still working and had his headphones awkwardly hanging around his neck, looked at me with wide eyes. ¡°¡­What are you talking about, suddenly showing up here?¡± But the way he averted his gaze right after made it clear he knew what was going on. I plopped down on a nearby chair. ¡°You¡¯re avoiding me. You figured out what¡¯s happening, didn¡¯t you?¡± At this rate, rumors of discord within the team were going to spread. Kang Ichae paused slightly at my question, as if he was trying to collect his thoughts, then slowly asked¡­ ¡°¡­Was hyung really the one who spilled his family secrets?¡± ¡­as expected. When I remained silent, Kang Ichae scratched his head vigorously. Then he took off his headphones, slouched in his chair, and scooted closer to me. ¡°Haa¡­¡± He let out a deep sigh. ¡°Well¡­ It¡¯s not like I¡¯m avoiding you because of that. Honestly, I always knew hyung had a bit of a shady side¡­ But I didn¡¯t expect you toe at me so suddenly like this.¡± As we exchanged a few words, something unexpected struck me. ¡°¡­You¡¯re not mad?¡± Kang Ichae seemed unusually calm. His eyebrows twitched. ¡°¡­Hmm, you really don¡¯t remember, do you?¡± He mumbled, rubbing his lips with his fingers after a long silence. ¡°Hyung, I¡¯ve already gotten mad enough.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°It makes sense that you don¡¯t remember, considering you¡¯ve been out of it for the past few days.¡± He twisted open a water bottle that was on the table and took a sip. ¡°Ever since the leak, you haven¡¯t been able to sleep. When you did sleep a bit, you tossed and turned like you were having nightmares. In front of the camera or audience, you seemed fine, but it was like you were in a trance,pletely out of it.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°You were acting so strange that even I started to doubt if it was really you who did it.¡± There was no particr me in his tone or choice of words. ¡°Then why aren¡¯t youing back to the dorm?¡± This made me even more curious. If it wasn¡¯t because of what he just said, why was he choosing to sleep on the cramped studio sofa instead of afortable bed? ¡°¡­Maybe to maintain a proper social distance?¡± Kang Ichae joked, curling up the corners of his mouth yfully. When I red at him and crossed my arms, he quickly turned serious. ¡°Just to give you a break.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± ¡°People are already saying all kinds of things, so it wouldn¡¯t be right for us, who are closest to you, to bother you too. We already agreed among ourselves.¡± This was news to me. Kang Ichae rolled his eyes as if reminiscing and shivered. ¡°Of course, there was some pushback, but Jiwon-hyungpletely shut it down. He crushed it with his soft but firm voice. He¡¯s a pro at intimidating people.¡± ¡°Seong Jiwon?¡± ¡°Yeah, that Seong Jiwon you believe to be so soft-hearted.¡± ¡°When did I ever say that?¡± ¡°Oh~, sure, whatever you say.¡± I knew Seong Jiwon had a tough side to him too. Kang Ichae smirked. ¡°You might not know, but thepany wanted to push ahead with the schedule. Instead of giving us time off, they were immediately pushing for a reality show and concert schedule. Seonghyeon-hyung got really mad, and Dajun was barking right alongside him.¡± ¡°¡­Really?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Kang Ichae¡¯s exasperated look pierced me. ¡°Oh¡­¡± His sigh carried so many emotions that it stung. The way he held back his words, despite his frustration, was evident, hurting my pride a bit. ¡°Anyway, the fact that hyung ended up like this is partly our fault too. I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re so obsessed with being number one, but¡ª¡± ¡°How is that your fault?¡± Was he mistaking guilt for something else because of his sympathetic feelings? Kang Ichae, noticing my intent, immediately countered. ¡°Emotionally speaking¡­ No, you¡¯re right. I can¡¯t deny it.¡± Kang Ichae admitted coolly and took another sip of water. ¡°Anyway, we¡¯re a team, hyung. If we had done well, you wouldn¡¯t have felt the need to do such things.¡± The reason I was obsessed with being number one was obvious: to prevent any leaks and to quickly clear this scenario and get out. It wasn¡¯t that I thought the memberscked skill. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t thrown a tantrum about not wanting topose back then, if Jeong Dajun hadn¡¯t made that mistake, if Jiwon-hyung had practiced more, if Seonghyeon-hyung had shown his abs¡ªthings like that¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s with thest one?¡± ¡°Honestly, that¡¯s probably our biggest mistake in this whole thing.¡± Kang Ichae joked with a snicker, closing the water bottle and spinning it with his fingertips. ¡°I know our group isn¡¯t your top priority, hyung.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered why you go to such lengths. But I get it now. You have some other goal.¡± He kicked off the floor slightly, sliding over to his desk, and repeatedly hit the save button on his musicposition program. ¡°Then we should run together.¡± And he smiled brightly. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Can you breathe well?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Lying through my teeth with a performance that didn¡¯t fool the members, I subtly turned my asionally numb arms away from Kang Ichae¡¯s view, but he just watched silently, not saying a word. ¡°Good, that¡¯s a relief.¡± He muttered, and silence lingered between us. After a moment, Kang Ichae stretched and stood up. ¡°But when you puke, stop running away, got it?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Even at times like this, he had to rhyme?[1] He tapped my back and gestured for us to head back to the dorm. Even though it waste at night, unlike earlier, all the members were gathered in the living room. They were chatting quietly but widened their eyes when they saw us. ¡°Oh!¡± ¡°You¡¯re back?¡± ¡°Yeah. Hey, since we have nothing else to do¡­¡± I naturally sat on the sofa, contemting what to say. Then I remembered Jeong Dajun constantly singing about wanting to try drinking when he became an adult. Back then, I hadughed it off, thinking he was just a kid with no fear. ¡°¡­Should we drink to celebrate?¡± ¡°What¡¯s with the sudden¡­¡± Even Jeong Dajun looked at me with a puzzled expression. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to, forget it.¡± ¡°Oh! No, let¡¯s drink, let¡¯s drink.¡± Seong Jiwon, thinking it was a good chance to lighten the mood, agreed with me and quickly started setting things up. I followed Kim Seonghyeon, who volunteered to buy the alcohol. ¡°What do you want to drink?¡± ¡°Pine bud drink.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so sick of that¡­¡± If you had tried mixing Pine bud and soju, you wouldn¡¯t say that. I grabbed beer and soju and was even eyeing the whiskey section when Kim Seonghyeon asked, ¡°But it¡¯s surprising you didn¡¯t fight with Kang Ichae.¡± ¡°Was there a need to fight¡­¡± I scratched my nose awkwardly. ¡°Kang Ichae was pretty mature.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°He seemed reallyposed.¡± The Pine bud drink in Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s hand dropped to the floor. ¡°Hey. You really don¡¯t remember¡­? He was the most pissed off when you were in bad shape.¡± ¡°¡­??¡± Then, with an incredulous look, Kim Seonghyeon revealed something I didn¡¯t know. ¡°Remember when thepany was debating whether to leave you alone or pull you off stage? Kang Ichae and Seong Jiwon fought so fiercely. Seeing how crazy his eyes got, I thought we might disband right then and there.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Dajun and I got caught in the crossfire. I never imagined I¡¯d be the shrimp caught in the middle.¡± Kim Seonghyeon nced at my face, grumbling as he picked up the drink from the floor. ¡°All this time, he sent you out so he could calm down.¡± Only then did I realize. Kang Ichae, you sneaky bastard! He had conveniently left out the parts that put him in a bad light. [1] Ichae said, ¡°?? ?? ? ?? ??, ????¡± Note that?? ? (tohal ttae/¡±when you puke¡±) and ?? ?? (geuman tokkyeo/¡±stop running away¡±) rhymes. Chapter 175 Chapter 175 ¡°Are we really drinking this?¡± ¡°Of course, did you think we were just going to pretend to drink?¡± While the other members were busy preparing the food and setting up the table, Jeong Dajun hesitated as he stared at the endless rows of alcohol bottles. He seemed worried since I had been giving off a cold vibetely. ¡°What do you want to drink? I just bought whatever was avable.¡± ¡°Wow, there¡¯s really a lot?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s drink like there¡¯s no tomorrow.¡± When I thought about it, this was the longest break we¡¯d had sinceing here. It wasn¡¯t intentional, but if we continued like this, it was clear we wouldn¡¯t be able to properly prepare for our next activitiesWe needed this time to relieve our fatigue and open up to each other. ¡°I¡¯ll just drink a little.¡± ¡°Oh? Really?¡± Right after bing an adult, he had proudly unted his ID and bought a can of beer to drink by himself. Of course, he made a face and threw it away when he realized how bad it tasted. When Seong Jiwon asked again, the maknae just nodded silently, his lips tightly sealed. He still seemed curious, judging by the way his eyes darted around. Do I have to do this even at the dorm¡­? However, seeing Jeong Dajun¡¯s face made the decision easy. I lightly kicked Jeong Dajun¡¯s leg and whispered to him. ¡°Hey.¡± ¡°W-What?¡± Jeong Dajun, sensing something suspicious, flinched and stepped back slightly. I smirked wickedly. ¡°Wanna see something fun?¡± Hyung will liven up the mood. . . . Swoosh!! ¡°Wow!! Woah!!¡± After shaking the beer bottle and pouring it into the ss, the soju ss plopped right into the beer ss. I shook the water off my hands and grinned. ¡°Not loud enough.¡± ¡°Hyung! You¡¯re so freakin¡¯ awesome!!¡± ¡°What? I can¡¯t hear you.¡± ¡°Wow~!! Hoyun is the best!!¡± Jeong Dajun, eyes sparkling, was so absorbed in watching me that he was jumping up and down with his hands covering his mouth. His cheeks were bright red, and his speech was slurred, indicating he waspletely drunk. I pushed the whining maknae, who clung to me asking to see it again, toward Kim Seonghyeon, but the leader was already too far gone. ¡°Hyung! Teach me!!¡± ¡°Huh? I¡¯m not Seo Hoyun?¡± ¡°Oh, right!? Isn¡¯t this the Shining Seonghyeon?¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m shining?¡± I left themughing hysterically at each other. Jeong Dajun picked up a half-eaten, cold hot bar with both hands and mimicked Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s final words. ¡°The five of us will always be together.¡± ¡°¡­??¡± ¡°Because five minus one is¡­ zero¡­¡± ¡°¡­Jeong Dajun¡­!!¡± Even drunk, he still seemed embarrassed to be teased. Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s ears turned beet red as he gritted his teeth. Anyway, things were lively, more like the usual The Dawn. ¡°Those two are really glued together¡­.¡± Jeong Dajun was sent off, Kim Seonghyeon was out, and now there were two left. Seeing Seong Jiwon smiling brightly with a clear face while mixing Kaoliang wine and soju, I decided to avoid him for now. I set my sights on Kang Ichae, who wasughing at Jeong Dajun and Kim Seonghyeon. ¡°Raise your ss. I¡¯ll fill it up.¡± ¡°Huh~? No, I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t get chances like this often.¡± I was shaking the soju bottle back and forth, but Kang Ichae was somehow evasive. What¡¯s this? During the Shining Star Season 1 after-party, he stuck close to me just fine. As I rummaged through my memories, I suddenly realized. ¡°¡­Oh.¡± Back then, he didn¡¯t touch alcohol at all. I didn¡¯t realize because he acted like he was drunk without drinking. ¡°Hyungs can drink. I¡¯ll just enjoy watching from the side.¡± The moment I realized that, my eyes gleamed. This is an opportunity. I usually didn¡¯t force people who didn¡¯t like drinking, but with Kang Ichae, I wanted to get back at him for all the trouble he caused me. Seong Jiwon. = Let¡¯s get him. Seong Jiwon, who had some issues with Kang Ichae recently, gave me a mischievous look in response to my signal. Okay! = Okay! He tapped Kang Ichae¡¯s arm. ¡°Haha, Ichae, have a drink with hyung just once.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± The support was in. Taking advantage of Kang Ichae¡¯s brief confusion at Seong Jiwon¡¯s unusual behavior, I quickly filled a ss. Even though Seong Jiwon could see everything from his angle, he just kept smiling gently. ¡°The alcohol content isn¡¯t that high. I also want to toast with Ichae.¡± ¡°Hey, Kang Ichae. Seong Jiwon is asking you to drink, so just do it.¡± ¡°¡­¡± At that moment, we were two cunning snakes. Kang Ichae, the rapper of our group, noticed something was off from our grinning faces and furrowed his eyebrows. ¡°No.¡± ¡°If Ichae doesn¡¯t want to, we can¡¯t force him¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Are you still mad at me?¡± When Seong Jiwon¡¯s eyes turned sorrowful, Kang Ichae gritted his teeth. ¡°Ugh, I hate thisbo.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°¡­You won¡¯t bother me if I drink, right?¡± Eventually, he sighed deeply as if he was giving in and downed the ss in front of him in one go. ¡°Our Ichae drinks so well.¡± ¡°Why is soju so bitter?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it because you haven¡¯t had it in a while? Do you want some water?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Just kidding. That was Chinese liquor from Y brand. Its alcohol content was 38%. And five minutester. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Kang Ichae, his face flushed and expression nk, rubbed his forehead. He looked exactly like a delinquent. ¡°You bastards¡­ This is 38% alcohol!!¡± ¡°Pfft. Are you sure you¡¯re not misreading it because you¡¯re drunk?¡± ¡°Seo Hoyun¡­¡± An enraged Kang Ichae spat out informal speech, but I coolly ignored it. When he tried to get up to go to our room and stumbled, I even helped him up. Of course, I wasughing the whole time. ¡°Are you happy? Happy? I told you I¡¯m weak with alcohol.¡± ¡°Okay, okay, hyung made a mistake.¡± ¡°Seo, you¡¯re annoying¡­¡± I tossed the half-asleep, mumbling Kang Ichae into the pile with Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun. ¡°Ugh!! He¡¯s heavy!¡± At first, they grumbled, but soon they were making a racket. ¡°Hyung, hyung! Do you want to y Halli Galli?¡± ¡°Halli Galli¡­ where are you going?¡± ¡°Huh, you don¡¯t know? Haven¡¯t you yed with your friends before?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have friends, so I don¡¯t know games like this¡­¡± Looking a bit sleepy from the alcohol, Kang Ichae mumbled and rubbed his eyes. As people say, alcohol brings out the truth. He was spilling his real feelings. Hearing that, Jeong Dajun clenched his fist. ¡°Ichae-hyung, I¡¯ll be your friend! Seonghyeon-hyung, quickly be friends with our delinquent friend.¡± ¡°Of course! Kang Ichae and I are friends!¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± ¡°No, no, you don¡¯t need friends to y this. I¡¯ll teach you! When five fruitse out, you just have to hit the bell really fast! You can do it without friends!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Somewhat intrigued, Kang Ichae stood up immediately. ¡°Really, you can do it without friends?¡± ¡°Kang Ichae, I¡¯ll show you.¡± Kim Seonghyeon grabbed Kang Ichae¡¯s arm and headed to the kitchen. They sat facing each other at the dining table. Jeong Dajun followed and quickly dealt the cards. Soon, the sound of giggling andughter could be heard. Seong Jiwon, who had watched the whole process, burst intoughter. ¡°Isn¡¯t it still a game that needs friends?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying.¡± Could there be a more wholesome drinking party in the world? Watching them y like children, it was amusing and somehowforting. As I rested my chin on my hand and dazed out, Seong Jiwon poured some alcohol into my empty ss. Splosh. ¡°You did well, Hoyun.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°You must have had a tough time.¡± Instead of answering, I looked over Seong Jiwon¡¯s face and asked. ¡°I heard you fought with Kang Ichae?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a difference of opinion, that¡¯s all.¡± Others didn¡¯t seem to think that way though¡­ Seong Jiwon brushed back a few strands of hair that had fallen over his forehead and smiled softly. He always seemed to exude a gentle aura, but now he looked even more at peace. ¡°Still, they¡¯re all really good people. We can respect each other no matter what we do.¡± ¡°¡­Right.¡± ¡°I¡¯m happy to be a member of The Dawn with you all.¡± Seong Jiwon filled his ss with vodka and downed it in one go. ¡°I hope you feel the same way.¡± His eyes creased into a smile. He never once brought up my family issues. During the award speech, he hugged me and cried like it was his own problem, yet he chose to stay by my side until I got better without saying a word. ¡°Let¡¯s take it slow.¡± See, he was doing it again. I barely managed to lift the corners of my mouth. ¡°I need to sort some things out. You¡¯re done drinking, right?¡± ¡°Yeah. Leave me be. We can do it togetherter.¡± I left Seong Jiwon, who was chuckling at my appearance, and got up from my seat. Screech. I slightly pulled the curtain aside and stepped out onto the balcony, sitting down on the chair that Jeong Dajun had brought during his interior decorating phase when we got our dorm. I opened my front pocket and took out the pack of cigarettes and lighter that Lim Hyeonsu had given me at a drinking party. Thin menthols. It felt like she was rooting for me to fail at my goal to quit smoking. I took one out and bit it between my lips. But instead of lighting it, I just flicked the lighter, making sparks. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± I had been doing so well. Feeling a bit weary, I was tempted to smoke just one. Just light it up and take a drag on the filter. Screech. ¡°Holy crap! Hyung!¡± But that thought didn¡¯tst long. Jeong Dajun burst through the balcony door, eyes wide, pointing at me. ¡°Oh my gosh!! Over the top!!¡± ¡°Hey, hey. Keep it down.¡± ¡°Why are you doing this when you¡¯ve been holding out so well?!¡± The heavily drunk maknae couldn¡¯t even stand straight, swaying as he tried to close the balcony door. The moment his gaze shifted, I quickly tossed the cigarette behind me and pulled out a lollipop from my pocket. ¡°Jeong Dajun, look. It¡¯s a lollipop stick.¡± ¡°Huh¡­ Oh? Really?¡± What did you mean by ¡°really¡±? Tilting his head a few times, Dajun slowly approached me. ¡°Are you okay, hyung? Honestly, I can¡¯t tell if you¡¯re Seo Hoyun, Jiwon-hyung, Seonghyeon-hyung, or Ichae-hyung right now.¡± ¡°Really? You¡¯re that confused.¡± ¡°Yeah, isn¡¯t it kind of weird?? And Ichae-hyung is super drunk right now!¡± You¡¯re drunk too, you fool. Grumbling, Jeong Dajun stomped his feet. Then he leaned against the wall, slid down, and buried his head in his knees, nodding off. ¡°Hey, go to sleep.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m not sleepy.¡± Just like a dad pretending not to sleep when you try to turn off the TV, he stubbornly refused to move even when I nudged him with my foot. As I pondered how to drag this kid to bed, Jeong Dajun suddenly lifted his face and rubbed his eyes. ¡°¡­Hyung, I didn¡¯t say anything because I was afraid of getting scolded, but I called Hojin-hyung before.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I was worried something serious might happen.¡± Despite my stern gaze, Jeong Dajun yawned nonchntly. ¡°Yawn, I know you¡¯re someone who isn¡¯t afraid of anything in this world¡­ But seeing you like that scares me.¡± I understood what he was trying to say, though his sentences were disjointed and out of context. ¡°And¡­ yeah.¡± I doubted he¡¯d remember what he said once he sobered up, but Jeong Dajun continued speaking. ¡°You don¡¯t have to take me on the roller coaster ride¡­.¡± I fiddled with the lighter in my hand. ¡°Jeong Dajun.¡± No response. He had fallen asleep. ¡°Jeong Dajun, are you asleep?¡± I called a few more times but got the same result. ¡°¡­You fall asleep so quickly.¡± Seriously, has this kid changed at all in the past year? Thinking so, I recalled the unitpetition and retracted my thought. Jeong Dajun had changed. Just like everyone else. ¡°What a big deal¡­¡± Click. Click. The me red up and died out repeatedly in the dark. ¡°¡­Dajun.¡± Mumbling like an idiot, I repeated my actions. ¡°I¡¯m afraid of something too.¡± The possibility that scared me more than anything else. My biggest fear, my biggest secret. Maybe even scarier than my parents¡¯ ident, my recurring nightmares, or even Seo Hojin¡¯s anger. The one thing I could never tell anyone. How could I reveal to anyone that I was terrified of the possibility that my dongsaeng might still be left in the world I left behind? There was definitely a Seo Hojin here who remembers me. But what if that was not all? What if Hojin was left alone there, searching for me, and my absence hurts him? Every time I thought about living well here alone, leaving that kid behind so irresponsibly, I was terrified. I wanted to go back. ¡°¡­¡± And I needed confirmation. That my worries were unfounded. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± I wiped my face. Maybe I did drink too much today. So pathetic¡­ I sighed, putting the lighter down and crushing the cigarette pack in my hand. The impulse to smoke vanished as quickly as it hade. After hesitating for a moment, I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Seo Hojin. ¨C Me: Did you eat? Despite thete hour, a reply came quickly. ¨C Dongsaeng: ? Why did you tell me to contact you if you¡¯re going to reply like this? I was about to turn off my phone when another message from Seo Hojin arrived. ¨C Dongsaeng: I miss you I paused. He had never said anything like this before. ¨C Dongsaeng: But I¡¯m so annoyed I don¡¯t want to see you ¡°Pfft.¡± I rubbed my forehead and chuckled, then replied. ¨C Me: Make up your mind, you brat ¨C Me: Besides, my face is very expensive I read the simple messages a few more times, smacking my lips, and tapped Dajun¡¯s shoulder who was dozing off. He still didn¡¯t show any signs of waking up, so I pinched his cheeks. ¡°Jeong Dajun, go to bed.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± ¡°Quickly.¡± Dajun, seemingly in pain, rubbed his cheeks with his hands and staggered inside without even opening his eyes. After kicking out the unwee guest, I opened the balcony window alone. Even though it was early morning, the damp and heavy air of the abruptly approaching summer clung to my arms. ¡°It¡¯s hot.¡± The sky in the distance was starting to turn red. It was too vivid to dismiss everything as just a game or to think thatpleting the scenario would be the end. I need to go back. Though my arms asionally felt numb, my breath sometimes short, and my runaway conscience sometimes returned. Even so, living recklessly as a piece of trash wouldn¡¯t change. I did miss the photos of my family that had disappeared from my phone. ¡°Brat.¡± It didn¡¯t matter. ¡°Hyung misses you too.¡± I nned to see it through to the end, no matter what. Chapter 176 Chapter 176 Special Chapter ¡°All right!¡± Fourteen-year-old Seo Hojin began listing today¡¯s tasks. [January 30 Finish math homework Preview the third-year middle school curriculum Congratte hyung on his birthday!!] He pouted momentarily as he wrote thest task. It was obvious that hyung woulde homete again today, busy with tutoring and whatnot.Staring at the memo, Seo Hojin suddenly stood up, shoved money into his pocket, put on his padded jacket, and went out the door. However, he hadn¡¯t gone far when someone called out to him. ¡°Hey! You there.¡± It wasn¡¯t umon for someone to strike up a conversation with him while walking down the street. Usually, they were girls who knew Seo Hoyun. ¡°Aren¡¯t you Seo Hoyun¡¯s dongsaeng?¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Seo Hojin squinted at the person in front of him. ¡°Wow~, you look exactly the same as a few years ago. Don¡¯t kids usually grow up fast? Or is it different for everyone?¡± Her words hit Seo Hojin¡¯splex squarely. ¡°I¡¯m a high school ssmate of Hoyun. Do you remember me?¡± ¡°What do you want to say?¡± ¡°¡­Wow, look at that attitude. You really are Seo Hoyun¡¯s dongsaeng.¡± She squatted down to meet Seo Hojin¡¯s eyes and gave a bright smile. ¡°Tell Hoyun to answer his phone. Why doesn¡¯t he ever pick up?¡± ¡°Maybe he doesn¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°The apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree, huh.¡± When Seo Hojin retorted with a sullen attitude, she awkwardly smiled but still forced 20,000 won into his hand. ¡°Here, it¡¯s a bribe. Buy yourself something nice and tell that guy¡­ Hoyun to give me a call.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°No, forget it. Just tell him I miss him.¡± Seo Hojin hesitated, looking at the money. He was already short on cash, making him more conflicted. Seeing this, the woman mischievously tapped the back of the hand holding the money. ¡°Come on, just take it.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s cold today, be careful on your way home.¡± Seo Hojin hesitated a bit before grabbing the woman¡¯s arm as she walked toward her friends. Then, almost throwing the money back at her, he ran toward his original destination, ignoring her shouts of ¡°Hey! Hey!!¡± behind him. He suddenly remembered a simr incident from the past when his hyung had scolded him harshly for three days straight, saying, ¡°If you like taking money from strangers so much, why don¡¯t you go live with them?¡± Moreover, now that he was a bit older, he knew better than to ept things from strangers. ¡°Huff, huff¡­¡± Only after turning the corner and seeing the path to the park did he slow down and catch his breath. His hyung, Seo Hoyun, had always been a local celebrity. Though he was known for hisck of manners, his good looks made him popr among his peers, and his academic excellence made him the subject of admiration among parents. His poprity peaked when he got into college. He was always surrounded by people, was somewhat indifferent to his dongsaeng, and often argued with their parents like a typical high school student. But everything changed after the incident. Even the young Seo Hojin realized that their current situation wasn¡¯t normal. ¡­Hmm. He thought that if he had taken the money earlier, he might have been able to buy something better. Pushing aside his slight regret, Seo Hojin entered the bakery he had scouted beforehand. He was slightly shocked by the prices of the cakes disyed. They were even more expensive than he had expected. Still, with the money he had, he could buy a small strawberry shortcake from the corner of the disy. Not knowing Seo Hoyun¡¯s preferences, Seo Hojin didn¡¯t hesitate and pointed to one with his hand. ¡°Thank you!¡± After he ced his order, the bakery owner seemed to be in a good mood and gave him a slightly broken cookie as a freebie. Carefully packing the cake box, Seo Hojin popped the cookie into his mouth in one bite. Just then, the florist next door spotted him and called out. ¡°Oh my, isn¡¯t that Hojin?¡± She was someone close to his mother. Why was he running into so many people today? He just wanted to get home quickly. ¡°It¡¯s been a while. Are you in the third grade now?¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m about to graduate from elementary school.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Seeing Seo Hojin¡¯s slightly tired response, the florist was surprised. The child before her was very small for his age. ¡°A cake? Whose birthday is it today?¡± ¡°Hyung¡¯s.¡± Quickly collecting herself, she asked affectionately, but Seo Hojin only nced away and answered with a single word. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s your hyung¡¯s birthday today, huh. Haha. Then take this flower, too.¡± The florist, looking a bit apologetic, picked a bright yellow flower and wrapped it quickly. ¡°Isn¡¯t it pretty?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s the birth flower for January 30. It¡¯s called a marsh marigold. Do you know what its flower meaning is?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± When Seo Hojin shook his head, she smiled softly and fixed the flower securely on the cake box, exining its meaning. Seo Hojin found the meaning quite appealing. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Be careful on your way.¡± Thinking of his parents who always emphasized manners, he bowed politely and turned around with a slightly heavy heart. As he was walking home briskly, he suddenly remembered he hadn¡¯t paid for the flower and hurried back to the florist. ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s really sad.¡± He overheard the florist chatting with an employee. ¡°After their parents died in a car ident, his hyung took care of his dongsaeng alone.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hojin winced and stopped in his tracks. ¡°How sad. No matter how much effort his hyung puts in, it¡¯s not the same as having parents.¡± ¡°It must be tough.¡± ¡°Definitely, that hyung must be having a hard time raising him.¡± Seo Hojin lowered his gaze momentarily before walking forward again with determined steps. ¡°¡­Oh my!¡± The adults, startled by the sound of his footsteps, looked at him. ¡°Why are you back? Do you need something?¡± Seo Hojin took the crumpled money out of his pocket and ced it on the counter. ¡°I didn¡¯t pay.¡± ¡°Oh! Right.¡± The florist smiled awkwardly. Seo Hojin felt a cold weight in his chest. ¡°But you could have just taken it. It was a gift from me¡ª¡± ¡°And it doesn¡¯t make much difference.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± Seo Hojin straightened his neck, looked the florist in the eye, and spoke clearly. ¡°Whether my hyung raises me or my parents do.¡± He turned and left immediately. Though they called out behind him, Seo Hojin closed his ears to them. At the park¡¯s trash bin, he plucked the beautifully wrapped flower from the cake box and threw it away in frustration. ¡°So annoying¡­ seriously.¡± Feeling irritable and annoyed, he headed home, grumbling. From a distance, he spotted Seo Hoyun¡¯s back. ¡°Hyung¡ª!¡± Surprised to see himing home early, he quickly approached. ¡°I told you, don¡¯t fucking call me.¡± Seo Hoyun was yelling at someone over the phone. Se Hojin instinctively hid behind a wall. ¡°Have some decency, will you? How could you call a kid and bring up money?¡± ¡°¡­¡± A few days ago, Seo Hojin had to face a rtive who had been smiling brightly. This person had taken care of him briefly after the ident, but honestly, he didn¡¯t want to think about that time again. ¡°Is hyung home?¡± Grinning slyly, the rtive had suddenly asked if he was eating well and if there was anything he wanted. It felt off. Seo Hoyun clicked his tongue and ran his hand through his hair, his voice icy. ¡°Enough. Show yourself around my dongsaeng again, and I¡¯ll show you what real hell is like.¡± Seo Hojin crouched down, tapping the cake box. The call continued. ¡°Won¡¯t I regret this?¡± Hoyunughed, sounding incredulous. ¡°The thing I regret most in my life was leaving Seo Hojin with you people for even half a year.¡± Then, he hung up the phone abruptly, breathing heavily. Frustrated, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, ced it between his lips, and cursed. ¡°Fucking bastards.¡± It was his birthday, a day that should have been filled with good things. Yet, he wore a troubled expression, smoking one cigarette after another. Seo Hojin peeked out, observing him, then stood up with the cake box. ¡°Hyung!!¡± ¡°¡­Oh.¡± Seo Hoyun was startled and took a step back. He quickly stubbed out the half-burned cigarette on the ground and stomped on it, waving his hand to dissipate the smoke. ¡°What are you doing here? When did you get here?¡± ¡°Just now.¡± Seeing Seo Hojin tilt his head innocently with wide eyes, Seo Hoyun looked relieved and scratched the back of his neck with one hand. ¡°Seo Hojin, did you finish your homework before wandering around?¡± ¡°¡­No.¡± ¡°How bold of you.¡± Seo Hoyun grabbed Seo Hojin¡¯s cheek and gave it a yful tug. With the musty smell of cigarettes and a painful sting, Seo Hojin quickly brushed the hand away and gently rubbed his cheek, making Seo Hoyun chuckle. ¡°What¡¯s with the cake?¡± ¡°It¡¯s your birthday, hyung.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± He had clearly forgotten. But he always remembered to celebrate Seo Hojin¡¯s birthday. ¡°Wow, where¡¯d you get the money?¡± Seo Hojin nearly exined that he¡¯d saved up half of his allowance but decided against it. He had refrained from eating tteokbokki and Pikachu tonkatsu with his friends to save money. He couldn¡¯t ask his hyung, who managed living expenses with money earned from part-time jobs without touching their parents¡¯ insurance money, for more allowance. The process of buying the cake was embarrassing enough, and he didn¡¯t want to talk about it. So, he pushed his hyung¡¯s back, urging him to go inside. ¡°By the way, hyung, do you like whipped cream cake?¡± As they got off the elevator and reached the door, Seo Hojin asked while Seo Hoyun was unlocking the door. Without even turning his gaze, Seo Hoyun replied. ¡°Not really.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Seo Hojin¡¯s eyebrows drooped at his hyung¡¯s blunt response. If he had just taken the money earlier, he could have bought a huge chocte cake. Watching this from above, Seo Hoyun let out a smallugh as he opened the door. ¡°I¡¯ll start liking it from today.¡± Seo Hojin, who had been secretly ncing at his hyung¡¯s face, nodded vigorously. Seo Hoyun took the cake out and ced it on the kitchen table, lighting the candles. Seo Hojin¡¯s heart raced at the sight. But no matter how long he waited, Seo Hoyun didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of blowing out the candles, just staring at him silently. ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°Sing me the birthday song.¡± ¡°¡­No.¡± ¡°Hurry up. The wax is going to drip.¡± Mumbling and grumbling, Seo Hojin eventually started singing awkwardly with ps. ¡°Happy birthday to you~. Happy birthday to you~.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Beloved¡­ Anyway, to hyung~.¡± ¡°Hey, you missed the ¡®beloved¡¯ part.¡± ¡°Happy birthday to you~!¡± Ignoring Seo Hoyun¡¯s teasing, hepleted his mission. Seo Hoyun chuckled as he brought his face close to the cake and blew out the candles with a whoosh. ¡°Did you make a wish?¡± ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m not telling you.¡± ¡°Who asked you?¡± Seo Hoyun ruffled Seo Hojin¡¯s hair roughly and brought tes and forks, cutting a piece from the most delicious-looking part of the cake and handing it to Seo Hojin. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll enjoy it.¡± In that way, Seo Hojin received his hyung¡¯s heartfelt gratitude. It had been a day full of all sorts of events, but that one sentence made everything feel okay. He took a small bite of the cake with his fork, and the sweet taste filled his mouth. After taking a few more bites, he felt that now was the right time to ask a question he had been curious about for a while. ¡°Hyung, by the way.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°Do you have a girlfriend?¡± Like that girl he saw earlier¡­ With whipped cream smeared on one cheek, Seo Hojin blinked his big eyes and stared nkly. ¡°What?¡± After a moment of silence, Seo Hoyun burst outughing. ¡°Seo Hojin, you¡¯re already interested in that stuff??¡± ¡°¡­What are you talking about!¡± Seo Hojin quickly tried to correct the misunderstanding, but Seo Hoyun keptughing. ¡°I¡¯m not!¡± ¡°Haha, oh, are you really in puberty? You¡¯ve grown up so fast?¡± ¡°I told you, I¡¯m not!!¡± Even though Seo Hojin¡¯s ears turned red with embarrassment, Seo Hoyun couldn¡¯t stopughing. Afterughing for a while, Seo Hoyun covered his eyes with one hand and chuckled. ¡°Okay, okay, if you like someone, make sure to tell hyung, okay?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Oh, Iughed too hard after a long time¡­ my stomach hurts.¡± Seeing his dongsaeng, who was now thoroughly sulking and avoiding eye contact, Seo Hoyun skewered a strawberry with his fork and held it to Seo Hojin¡¯s lips. Seo Hojin, despite ring, epted the strawberry. ¡°Is it good?¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s good.¡± Seo Hoyun patted Seo Hojin¡¯s head again before getting up to tidy up. Anyway, he felt he had given his hyung a pretty decent January 30. ¡°Hey, take out your homework.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Though it wasn¡¯t the same for himself. . . . That night, Seo Hojin went to bed early but woke up in the middle of the night. He heard the sound of running water. Rubbing his eyes, he stepped out of his room to look for his hyung, and then he heard it. ¡°¡­Ah, fuck¡­.¡± He stopped. Seo Hoyun was clutching his arm in the bathroom, where light spilled out. It was where his scar was. ¡°Shit, it hurts so bad¡­¡± Watching him, Seo Hojin quickly retreated back to his room and buried himself under the covers. Sometimes, Seo Hoyun had nightmares. Then he would go to the bathroom, turn on the water, and endure the pain alone. At times like this, Seo Hojin¡¯s role was to pretend he knew nothing and go back to sleep. He knew that was the most he could do to show his consideration. Idiot¡­ His hyung was always like that. No matter what happened, he would hide it from him or act like it didn¡¯t matter. This made Seo Hojin even more curious. That¡¯s why I asked if you had a girlfriend earlier. He wanted to know if there was someone who would take care of Seo Hoyun, just as his hyung took care of him. Seo Hojin wriggled under the nket. He tried to fall asleep, but the sound of water outside reminded him of the flower he had thrown away in the trash. Hyung. A round, bright yellow flower. Honestly, it didn¡¯t suit Seo Hoyun at all. Do you know the meaning of your birth flower? Seo Hojin hoped that the day Seo Hoyun was born and the meaning of that flower were not just a coincidence. Chapter 177 Chapter 177 [Title: The Dawn ¨C 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 Shining Star 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.
  1. Seong Jiwon (24) Main Vocal
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.
  1. Kim Seonghyeon (24) Leader, Main Dancer
The undeniable Shining Star 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?~
  1. Jeong Dajun (20) Maknae, Sub Dancer
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 Shining Star 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.
  1. Kang Ichae (22) Rapper
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 Shining Star Season 2 or on V-Live, he might actually be a hard worker¡­
  1. Seo Hoyun (24) Lead Vocal
The undeniable Shining Star 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 Shining Star 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 (deleted) (deleted) (deleted) 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 Shining Star 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 Shining Star¡¯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 Shining Star 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 Shining Star 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¡ª¡± 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. Clunk-clunk. 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. Looks like we made some money. 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 Shining Star 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 (???). Chapter 178 Chapter 178 ¡°Let¡¯s start with the shoot!¡± ¡°Yes!!¡± Since I was notified about the dy in the reward settlement, no matter how much I called up the system window, it disyed the same thing. [Processing¡ª¡­.] If a server crashes, it should be dealt with within 24 hours. It was a bit annoying, but dealing with the system window regarding rewards or penalties wasn¡¯t my immediate concern. Right now, I had a small, desperate wish that I longed for more than anything else. ¡°Wow, are we finally changing roommates?¡± It was to have a single room.I thought I could manage sharing a room with others, considering I was rtively easygoing. However, living with Kang Ichae made me realize otherwise. It was quite nerve-wracking. I never thought I¡¯d feel this way. From coughing up blood, to catching a severe cold, to spreading family issues, I got hit with everything. Each time our eyes met, Kang Ichae looked at me with a mocking expression, as if wondering what I would do next. I had nothing to say. Although I consistently maintained the attitude of ¡°What? Why? What are you going to do about it?¡± I was reaching my limit. I had to seize this opportunity; otherwise, who knows how long I¡¯d have to endure this Okay. When I distracted Lee Jihyeon earlier, I took that opportunity to nce at the makeshift table set up for the shoot, where papers rted to roommate assignments were scattered. After skimming through the underlined parts, it seemed they decided to do it through adder game. Three people could get single rooms. The connecting lines were left nk for the members to draw, but the names at the top and the results below were fixed. I quickly memorized the order of results. The single rooms and shared rooms were alternately listed. A three out of five chance. Not bad. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s start thedder game to decide roommates. The rules are simple. We¡¯ve covered the results, so each of you can take turns drawing lines on top of it.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Jeong Dajun ran up excitedly, followed leisurely by the other members. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re showing your personality.¡± ¡°Dajun, is that a spider web?¡± ¡°How is it?! My modern art?!¡± I arrivedst. I calcted the path by following the lines in reverse from where the single room slots were each time a line was drawn. Then, I met Kang Ichae¡¯s eyes as hezily drew a line with a yawn and turned away. ¡°Hyung, what will you do if you can¡¯t room with me anymore?¡± ¡°Yeah, that would be sad.¡± ¡°Haha?¡± Spouting empty words, I strode up to thedder game and surveyed the entire thing. Jeong Dajun¡¯s lines were a tangled mess, but it seemed I could achieve my goal by adjusting just two spots. Scratch-scratch. I discreetly drew one line at the top and another in the middle, avoiding thest spot. ¡°Huh~?! Hyung, is that enough? Then what about me?¡± ¡°One or two lines are enough.¡± As I shrugged and returned to my spot, Kang Ichae¡¯s intense gaze followed. He frowned, seemingly displeased, then soon smirked. Aha? That was the look on his face. I quickly turned away and asked another member, ¡°Shall we reveal the results now?¡± But Kang Ichae wouldn¡¯t let it go quietly. He raised his hand with a mischievousugh. ¡°Ah! Can Ichae draw just one more line?¡± ¡°No, you can¡¯t.¡± ¡°Just one little heart~.¡± ¡°It¡¯s already over.¡± ¡°Haha~.¡± ¡°Hey, hey! Kang Ichae!¡± No! I couldn¡¯t curse due to the cameras rolling, so I grimaced, but Kang Ichae dashed over and connected another line in a heart shape to the one I had drawn. Shit! No! That¡¯s the shared room! Just as I was about to dere it invalid, Jeong Dajun tore off the results sheet excitedly. After failing to stop him, the camera staff zoomed in on my outstretched arm as if mocking me. Jeong Dajun, humming the BGM of that horror movie with the shark, connected each member¡¯s name to the results with a red pen.[1] ¡°Ah, I have a single room.¡± ¡°Oh, me too.¡± Being an only child, Jeong Dajun seemed indifferent,cking any longing for a single room, and Kim Seonghyeon was equally nonchnt. ¡°Ah~, hyung, you shouldn¡¯t feel lonely already.¡± ¡°Get lost.¡± As I suppressed my rising anger alone, Kang Ichae continued to tease me. ¡°Ah, Hoyun! We¡¯re in the same room.¡± ¡°¡­Yeah.¡± The only constion was that Kang Ichae had a single room, and my new roommate was Seong Jiwon. Suppressing a sigh that seemed ready to escape, the camera¡¯s red light turned off, and the nning team announced that they would end the scene there. I immediately grabbed Kang Ichae by the neck and asked, ¡°How did you know that was a single room, you bastard? You didn¡¯t see the results sheet.¡± ¡°Ah, hyung. I didn¡¯t know. Who could figure that out from that mess?¡± ¡°Then?¡± Kang Ichae chuckled, his eyes squinting yfully. ¡°I just didn¡¯t like what you were doing, so I added one more line.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Indeed, Kang Ichae was a punk. A punk with sharp instincts. . . . [Oh my gosh, the teaser for the reality show on YouTube is out already!] While The Dawn adjusted to their new dorm and Seo Hoyun resigned himself to his fate, the solo concert date and the reality show broadcast date for the winners of Shining Star Season 2 approached. [This is too much stimtion right now¡­ Just imagining the choreography of the track and the ck Call cover] [Can we get something cute? ??? I really want to see Kang Ichae with a headband] [People crying while reading letters during the concert <- Kim Seonghyeon ©¸Seo Hoyun crying ©¸Let¡¯s just hope for the next life] While the reality show was highly anticipated, fans were frantically refreshing the page for the first solo concert tickets. [Oh fuck???? How could they announce it two months in advance and then have the ticketing a monthter, it¡¯s too rushed] [What are you talking about, my ex-husband¡¯s group announced it a month before] The constant criticism of Daepaseong Entertainment¡¯s management continued, but the veteran fans who had been with The Dawn since their debut, before Seo Hoyun joined, just smiled knowingly. [You guys don¡¯t know Daepaseong yet??; if tvK wasn¡¯t involved, these guys would announce it 2 weeks in advance and ticket it 3 days before¡­] [Please don¡¯t say such creepy things] [No way in hell] The fans tried to calm their pounding hearts, keeping an eye on both the solo concert booking site and a webpage for checking the time. And as soon as the ticketing opened, the Noeuls calmly clicked their mice. But. [Wait a minute] Most couldn¡¯t even proceed to payment, their screens freezing or showing ¡°503 Service Unavable¡± as the site crashed. It felt like it ended in threee seconds. [Oh my god, I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s over???????] [Unbelievable] Desperately grabbing their phones was useless. While some Noeul, devastated by missing out on the first concert, clutched their necks and copsed, those who had beaten the fiercepetition couldn¡¯t contain their triumphant smiles. As winners and losers emerged within the fandom in real-time, the reality show topic surfaced on social media. [What will the kids do¡­ I don¡¯t really watch idol variety shows, so I don¡¯t know;;] [They¡¯ll probably just visit hot ces¡­ even just doing pretty things is fine, their faces are entertaining enough] While fans might watch The Dawn¡¯s self-produced content on YouTube, the heavily themed concepts from the first episode wouldn¡¯t work on a tvK broadcast. So, Daepaseong Entertainment¡¯s nning team decided to introduce The Dawn members in a way that even new fans could easily get to know them. Ba-ram ba~ ba. Ba-ra bam~ bam~. A real documentary special. [Yah] It was like Human Theater. [Yah????????????????????] It was like Human Theater.[2] After the intro music yed, the scene shifted to their dorm, and Seong Jiwon¡¯s calm voice came in as the narration. ¨C ¡°The day of The Dawn has begun.¡± Then, as the members passed by one by one, brief profiles appeared in Gungseo font subtitles at the bottom. Moonman Leader, X-Idol, Practice Machine, Original Fierce Rapper, Puppy.[3] Seong Jiwon¡¯s question followed. ¨C ¡°Q. How do you get along with the other members?¡± ¨C ¡°A. I love my hyungs so much!¡± ¨C ¡°A. Ahaha, I¡¯m satisfied too~.¡± The maknaes answered while giggling, and as the scene transitioned, Jeong Dajun was seen sliding across the new dorm floor, tackling Kim Seonghyeon, while Kang Ichae teased Seo Hoyun. Crash, bang, boom! ¨C ¡°Aaah!¡± [???????But the cutscene?????] [?????????????These kids are always making noise????????] ¨C ¡°Ah~, I¡¯m so lonely being in a single room these days.¡± ¨C ¡°Don¡¯te. Do note at all.¡± [Seo Hoyun must have been aiming for a single room¡­ Kang Ichae¡¯s teasing is making him clench his teeth¡­?????????] Since it was the first episode, it started with them moving into the dorm and simple games, but as they delved deeper, the content became quite packed. [Wow, Kang Ichae, when asked by Jeong Dajun how much he made fromposing, he just said enough to live onfortably ©¸He must have made a lot¡­ just look at ¡°Humble Confession¡±¡­] ¨C ¡°Can you raise elephants and still make a living?!¡± ¨C ¡°ughs) Of course, about ten of them.¡± At Kang Ichae¡¯s young and rich vibe, the fans were in awe, but suddenly he pushed back his hair and poked Jeong Dajun¡¯s cheek. ¨C ¡°But it looks like Jeong Dajun eats about that much.¡± ¨C ¡°¡­!! N-no, that¡¯s not true?!¡± [???????????????Ah????????????Jeong Dajun is fuming] [He¡¯s denying it but¡­ Dajun, you have been eating a lot these days¡­.] [Hasn¡¯t he grown taller?] Overall, the episode was funny and entertaining, but the highlight was Seong Jiwon¡¯s calm yet crazy questions. ¨C ¡°Q. Is Jeong Dajun an elephant?¡± ¨C ¡°A. ¡­!!¡± ¨C ¡°A. Ahahahahahak???????? (falls over)¡± [Hey they¡¯re crying fromughing so hard????????????????] The members, caught off guard by the random question, couldn¡¯t hold back theirughter and doubled over. Jeong Dajun was busy being angry alone, while Kang Ichae missed his chance to answer because he was busy giggling. Taking advantage of that, the subtitles quicklybeled Jeong Dajun as an elephant. After that, The Dawn members, who had calmed down a bit, started a recreational game. Seo Hoyun remained expressionless, pping perfectly in time with the beat as he dominated the game. p, p. ¨C ¡°Seo Hoyun.¡± ¨C ¡°Bunny Bunny, Bunny Bunny¡± ¨C ¡°Carrot, Carrot¡± Even when his name was called out and the members teamed up to attack him, Seo Hoyun handled it with ease. [Wow, I thought he wouldn¡¯t know these kinds of games] [So cute, calling him Bunny Bunny¡­] [Seo Hoyun¡­ really going for that rabbit appeal ©¸??????????????????????????????????????] Fans wereughing along, but as the game escted, they grew more and more surprised. [What¡¯s up with this guy?] It¡¯s because Seo Hoyun knew every single game. Fans had no idea that Seo Hoyun, who used to be a variety show PD, had stayed up all night learning these games with his colleagues. They just assumed he was being stubborn because he hated losing. And his shamelessness was second to none. ¨C ¡°Rolling the dice for ¡®Shining Star Ribbon Boy.¡¯¡± ¨C ¡°Seo Hoyun, aren¡¯t you embarrassed at all?? ¨C ¡°Seonghyeon, aren¡¯t you sad you didn¡¯t get called ¡®Shining Star Abs Guy¡¯?¡± Seo Hoyun made a gesture as if he were brushing his hair back while sliding his hand across his neck, then went on to dominate the global capitals in a game of Blue Marble.[4] As the tension rose, members started to argue over their territories. ¨C ¡°Jiwon-hyung! You said you¡¯d give me thatnd!¡± ¨C ¡°Dajun, when did I?¡± ¨C ¡°¡­!!¡± [Ah shit???????They¡¯re arguing so much during Blue Marble that they have to say ¡°Aing, [Name] is scary¡± before speaking Seong: I have a question Ji: Yes, go ahead?? Seong: Isn¡¯t this rule too favorable for Seo Hoyun and Kang Ichae? ©¸???????????????Fact bomb] [Next to them, Ho and Yi[5] ¡°Aing, Hoyuni is scary, that¡¯s mynd, give me money right now¡± ¡°What are you saying to Ichae?¡± ©¸It¡¯s really a fierce battle¡­¡­.] Even with only five minutes left in the 30-minute reality show, there wasn¡¯t a single momentcking in craziness. Fans felt a sense of pride and shared their thoughts on SNS. [It¡¯s much cuter and funnier than I thought¡­¡­ so healing,,,,] [It has this subtle craziness ah??????] It was a good start. If this level of quality was maintained, not only would the new Noeul members settle in smoothly, but it could also attract more new fans. ¡¾Preview of Episode 2¡¿ The preview for the next episode began. The camera panned slowly upward from the bottom of a man stepping out of a shiny ck sedan. He was dressed in a perfectly fitted dark gray suit with a hint of blue, a white shirt, cufflinks peeking out from the sleeves, and a Patek Philippe watch swiped from one of the top idols, Mr. JWS, paired with a navy and burgundy striped tie.[6] Under his neatly slicked-back pomade hairstyle was a clean forehead, and sses perched on a sharp nose. Closing the driver¡¯s seat door, Seo Hoyun crinkled his nose and adjusted his sses familiarly, then held his phone to his shoulder. ¨C ¡°I think we have discussed this before.¡±[7] Lee Jihyeon, the hellish concept enthusiast, insisted that Seo Hoyun had to speak in English for this scene, and he reluctantly acted it out. As he nced at his watch and headed to thepany, Jeong Dajun¡¯s voice oveid the scene. ¨C ¡°The ghost of Team Leader Seo has appeared!¡± Seo Hoyun, having nothing really to say, just uttered random English words as he walked along. ¨C ¡°We have Elephant Dajun in ourpany.¡±[8] However, the Noeul members at the time couldn¡¯t hear a word Seo Hoyun was saying. They were just in a daze. [Oh shit] The stimtion was too intense. [Team Leader Seo, shit!!!!!!!!!!!] As Seo Hoyun walked slowly down the hallway, thepany logo shed on the screen. Thepany logo appeared alongside the side profile of Seo Hoyun walking down the hallway. The perfect environment for Seo Hoyun to legally torment people. ¡¾Episode 2 ¨C The Dawn Electronics¡¿ The office version was back. [1]Jaws. [2] It¡¯s a long running show in Korea. You have probably heard of its BGM before, it¡¯s very popr. /watch?v=szeZX1hgG0o [3] Hoyun¡¯s nickname is ?X?, or, uncensored, ¡°???¡±. It refers to someone who is a bit of a nutcase, entric, or crazy. [4]Blue Marble is a Korean version of Monopoly. [5] Seong = Seonghyeon, Ji = Jiwon, Ho = Hoyun, Yi = Ichae [6] Those watches are $$$. [7] Anything bolded are originally in English. [8] The original had it ¡°Dajun Elephant¡± but that was too awkward. Chapter 179 Chapter 179 The excited fans of The Dawn eagerly waited for the next day to arrive. However, among them were those who were less enthusiastic¡ªworking professionals known as Noeuls. [I don¡¯t want to think about work, but I do want to see Seong Jiwon wearing a suit.] [Can I see Kim Seonghyeon in a dress shirt¡­ Sigh¡­.] [Ah ??? Where would you find people like that in real life¡­ but still, if you give me this concept, I¡¯ll totallyp it up.] Everyone liked the office concept, but they didn¡¯t have high expectations. The airing time was set awkwardly at 5:30 PM, so the Noeuls, regardless of overtime,te-night studies, private lessons, or work, either turned on the TV or grabbed their phones. [Hey, did you see the crappy CG of The Dawn Electronics building on top of the tvK building? ??????????????? ©¸ As much as they tried, they couldn¡¯t use the dpidated Daepaseong Entertainment building¡­©¸©¸??????????????????????????? I agree.] As the blue sky reflected next to the (so-called) The Dawn Electronics building, subtitles slowly appeared. ¡¾Episode 2 ¨C The Lives of ves (feat. The Newbie) ¡¿ [No way] [No way, they¡¯re idols] The screen changed, showing a figure standing at thepany entrance. Everyone had spected that Seo Hoyun, who appeared in the preview, was the protagonist, but it turned out to be Jeong Dajun. ¡¾Jeong Dajun ¨C A 2-month intern at the Strategy nning Office Specialty: Passed the interview with unanimous approval by showing crazy personal skills and power positivity ¡¿ With a clean employee ID proudly hanging around his neck, Jeong Dajun tightly gripped the shoulder strap of his backpack and looked up at thepany building, nodding as if making a resolution. ¡°Let¡¯s do our best today too, Jeong Dajun!!¡± Slightly trembling with nervousness, he swiped hispany card and entered the building, where he encountered Seong Jiwon, who was smiling warmly. ¡¾Seong Jiwon ¨C Human Resources Team Leader Specialty: Enchants with a gentle tone and face, making new recruits forget their sry negotiations and sign the contract. ¡¿ ¡°Oh, Jeong Dajun. Good morning.¡± ¡°Ah!! Team Leader Seong!!¡± Seeing Jeong Dajun fall t on his face while running, Seong Jiwon quickly but gracefully approached, helped him up, and dusted off his clothes. ¡°Don¡¯t rush.¡± ¡°Ahaha, yes sir!¡± ¡°It feels like just yesterday when I saw you at the interview, and you already look like a properpany employee.¡± ¡°Really?! Oh, thank you!!¡± [Excuse me, Team Leader, didn¡¯t you just see Dajun fall? ©¸I don¡¯t doubt Dajun it for a second. ©¸©¸He really passed the interview with power positivity¡­. ©¸©¸????????????????????????????????] ¡°How are things goingtely?¡± ¡°Everyone¡¯s been very kind!¡± ¡°Ahaha, including Team Leader Seo?¡± Jeong Dajun¡¯s face turned pale in an instant. ¡°Well, uh¡­ yes, I guess¡­¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°He¡¯s quite scary sometimes though¡ª¡± Since the only instruction was to ¡°run into Seong Jiwon on the way to work,¡± and without a detailed script, Jeong Dajun started to get more immersed in the situation and began to speak rapidly. ¡°¡ªbut no matter how busy the day is, he strictly keeps lunch breaks, and he buys us delicious meals every time¡­ During work hours, he¡¯s the best at scolding and sarcasm in the world¡­. Oh! But sometimes, when I do well, he pats my head¡­ He¡¯s a bit unpredictable, so I don¡¯t really know what he¡¯s thinking!!¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± ¡°But they say he¡¯s popr in thepany because of his looks, does that make sense? If they worked in the Strategy nning Office, they wouldn¡¯t say that!!¡± While Jeong Dajun, whose face had turned as red as a ripe persimmon, spoke passionately, Seong Jiwon, who had been watching with a calm smile, shifted his gaze slightly. ¡°Is that so, Team Leader Seo?¡± ¡°?¡± When Seong Jiwon subtly pointed behind him, Jeong Dajun, not understanding, blinked his eyes and turned around, only to flinch at the sight of a familiar stern face. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± [????????????? Ah ????????????????] [Ah Dajun What are you going to do] It was Seo Hoyun, who was rubbing his chin while looking Jeong Dajun up and down. ¡°You haven¡¯t been working here long, so you¡¯re quite clumsy, yet you seem to know all kinds of rumors?¡± ¡°¡­T-Team Leader.¡± ¡°Herees the world champion in sarcasm.¡± ¡°He¡¯s also quite popr, I heard?¡± ¡°Ah, indeed.¡± With Seong Jiwon¡¯s support, Seo Hoyun chuckled. ¡°Does it seem so unbelievable to you, Jeong Dajun?¡± [Ah] Seo Hoyun¡¯s confident face filled the screen in close-up, as if asking if it wasn¡¯t obvious just by looking at his face. The Noeuls went wild, pulling at their hair in excitement. [Aaahhhhhh] [Kyaaaaah you crazy bastard~~~~] Jeong Dajun, his lips tightly sealed, rolled his eyes as Seo Hoyun gave him onest icy look before walking away briskly, with Seong Jiwon following. ¡°Hoyun, I heard Seonghyeon is avoiding you.¡± [What¡¯s up with those two? Are they colleagues???] ¡¾¡ùThe three eldest are colleagues¡ù¡¿ And so, the faces of nning Support Team Leader Kim Seonghyeon, Strategy nning Team Leader Seo Hoyun, and Human Resources Team Leader Seong Jiwon appeared on Mount Rushmore. [The CG is really low quality¡­] As the Noeusl marveled at the poor CG, Seo Hoyun responded. ¡°Why? Because I called him a baby?¡± ¡°He hates being called that.¡± ¡°What can I do if I like it when he gets annoyed?¡± [Wow, Seo Hoyun really has a bad personality¡­.] [This guy¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. But I also like it when you get annoyed¡­.] ¡°The Dawn Electronics¡± was a reality plot crafted by Lee Jihyeon, who knew well that fangirling was more attractive because it was based on reality but impossible in real life. She had created this scenario through countless meetings and discussions (or rather, Seo Hoyun¡¯s unteral grilling) with the Strategy nning team. This was bound to be a hit. Lee Jihyeon was confident, staking it all on her bias. [Wait, Seo Hoyun hasn¡¯t touched the mouse once until now;;;; He¡¯s doing everything with shortcuts] [No way, this has to be a lie] [Why does an idol know PPT and Excel shortcuts¡­] When Seo Hoyun entered the Strategy nning Office office and began working, her prediction hit the mark. During his days as a PD, Seo Hoyun was always on the brink of being buried under his workload, but it hadn¡¯t always been that way. He used to work as efficiently as possible, driven by the urgent need to grab every minute and second just to have dinner with Seo Hojin. [But this PPT is fucking clean though????????????? but the content???????????] Seo Hoyun typed away madly, fully focused. ¡¾Proposal on Preventing Jeong Dajun¡¯s Cavities¡¿ [??????????????????????????????????????????????] [Are you sry-leeching or what???????????????] He listed Jeong Dajun¡¯s current cavity situation, identified the problems and causes, and offered countermeasures ording to the 5W1H method, but all of it got either edited out or blurred, leaving only a fleeting scene. Even in that brief moment, though, the Noeuls were quick to take screenshots and talk about it. [No, why does it look so professional? It¡¯s just a few lines but it seems legit] [It already smells like a well-done job. Did the nning team help with this?] No, they didn¡¯t. Seo Hoyun, with nothing better to do, made it in 30 minutes just to show Jeong Dajun. While Jeong Dajun, oblivious to his fate, explored 3D designs on PPT, the door swung open behind him. In walked Kang Ichae, wearing a white dress shirt and gray cks. [ThXm BrXwn?????????? Ah seriously, what¡¯s going on????] Kang Ichae, who usually stuck to hoodies or casual looks unless performing or attending schedules, was seen in semi-formal attire for the first time even by his fans. ¡¾Kang Ichae ¨C New Employee of the Strategy nning Office¡¿ [Ah, the new employee is making my heart race] But everyone burst outughing at the following introduction. ¡¾Specialty: Nepotism.¡¿ ¡°Hi~.¡± With a mischievous grin, Kang Ichae greeted as he opened the office door, and the clock zoomed in beside him. 11:20 AM. Without even looking up, Seo Hoyun asked, ¡°Did youe to eatpany food?¡± ¡°Haha, I wanted to have a meal paid by the team leader. Right, Dajun?¡± ¡°Uhm¡­¡± As Jeong Dajun hesitated, Kang Ichae took an Americano from the drink carrier and pressed it against the nape of Dajun¡¯s neck. As Dajun screamed, Kang Ichae chuckled and approached Seo Hoyun. ¡°Ah~, have this, Team Leader.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I got you a venti Java Chip with chocte drizzle, five pumps of mocha syrup, and four pumps of hazelnut syrup.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it exactly to your taste?¡± With a sly smile, Kang Ichae thrust the drink forward. Only then did Seo Hoyun tore his eyes away from the monitor and took a sip through the straw. ¡°Kang Ichae.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°I was thinking about why you werete.¡± Holding the straw lightly between his front teeth, Seo Hoyun peered at Kang Ichae over his sses. ¡°Did you perhaps get caught in a gust of wind while paragliding this morning?¡± ¡°¡­What??¡± ¡°I thought you crashnded.¡±[1] Kang Ichae¡¯s mouth slightly opened as he caught on to the joke. Seo Hoyun was teasing him about being a nepo hire. Seo Hoyun didn¡¯t miss Kang Ichae¡¯s moment of fluster. ¡°Why not find love while you¡¯re at it and have lunch in North Korea?¡± A skull exploded next to Kang Ichae, apanied by the caption: ¡¾Nepotism 1:0.¡¿ [???????????????????????] [????????????????????????????????????????] But Kang Ichae wasn¡¯t one to back down so easily. Quickly regaining hisposure, he grabbed a tissue and dabbed at the corners of his eyes. ¡°Ha, it was so hard leaving my love behind¡­ I rushed over to have lunch with the team leader and our intern.¡± ¡°What?! You wanted to eat with us?!¡± Jeong Dajun, who was pretending to be busy by clicking aimlessly on a nk PPT screen, suddenly stood up. ¡°Of course, Dajun. If I don¡¯t take care of our intern, who will?¡± ¡°Whaaat¡­¡± Moved, Jeong Dajun covered his mouth with both hands, eyes wide. Kang Ichae gave him a warm smile and tapped Seo Hoyun¡¯s watch, grinning broadly. ¡°Shall we go for Pyongyang cold noodles then?¡±[2] ¡°¡­¡± This time, a skull exploded next to Seo Hoyun¡¯s face with the caption: ¡¾Team Leader Seo also loses 1:0.¡¿ Seo Hoyun adjusted his sses and red. There would be plenty of chances to get back at him in the future. For now, he decided to take a step back so that he can advance two stepster. The scene transitioned to a restaurant serving Pyongyang cold noodles with a peaceful BGM. [The power struggle between the team leader and the nepo hire is legendary, but now they¡¯re fighting over whether to get cold or spicy noodles.] [They¡¯re even arguing about whether to add seasoning and mustard¡­ ©¸Hoyun.. He¡¯s such a typical old-school boss, it¡¯s almost like PTSD from office life] ¡°Excuse me, we¡¯re ready to order!!¡± At that moment, Kim Seonghyeon appeared, wearing a red apron over a clearly expensive, fitted dress shirt. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll take your order.¡± ¡°¡­?¡± [1] I can¡¯t ?? As a nepo hire, he parachuted in into thepany so¡­ [2]Crash Landing on You featured Pyongyang. Chapter 180 Chapter 180 ¡°Why are you here, Team Leader?¡± [???????] ¡¾nning Support Team Leader Kim Seonghyeon Specialty: Cannot easily overlook those in need.¡¿ Flowers and sparkles ovepped on the caption that read, ¡°Why are youing from there, hyung¡­?¡±[1] [Seonghyeon????????????????????????????????????] The script did say, ¡°Run into Kim Seonghyeon at the restaurant,¡± but no one expected it to happen like this. Seo Hoyun lost his appetite and put down his chopsticks. ¡°Excuse me, nning Support Team Leader, what are you doing here?¡±¡°¡­Well, I have a half-day off this morning, so I came here for breakfast, and the owner begged me to help.¡± ¡°Sigh¡­¡± ¡°Team Leader, I¡¯ll have the buckwheat bibim naengmyeon!¡± Jeong Dajun, oblivious to the atmosphere, cheerfully ced his order, and Kim Seonghyeon, nodding his head, carefully wrote it down. Seo Hoyun and Kang Ichae exchanged incredulous looks, but it didn¡¯t seem to faze either of them. ¡°Okay, let me confirm your order: one buckwheat mul naengmyeon, one buckwheat bibim naengmyeon, one bowl of dumpling soup, one te of dumplings, two bowls of rice, and two sodas, right?¡± [They say Kim Seonghyeon had a ton of part-time jobs before debuting, and it shows;;;; ©¸Wait¡­ Isn¡¯t this a bit sexy¡­] [Hold on! The part-time jobs Kim Seonghyeon did: Caf¨¦, PC bang, movie theater, loading and unloading, delivery, driving school instructor ©¸Thanks, Speedwagon!!] Clicking his tongue, Seo Hoyun grabbed Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s arm just as he was about to head to the kitchen to ce their orders and swiftly untied the apron ribbon. He then pushed him down into a seat and called another employee to order the food. It was around this time that Seo Hoyun realized that although roles were assigned to each person, the scripts were entirely different, and everything was happening in real life. In fact, as soon as Lee Jihyeon heard the ¡°Pyeongyang Naengmyeon¡± joke, she couldn¡¯t let pass such a good content and hurriedly rented a restaurant. Kang Ichae asked Kim Seonghyeon a question. ¡°Team Leader Kim, you seem so natural with the restaurant work. Like it¡¯s second nature.¡± ¡°Gasp??? Right, doesn¡¯t it feel like it¡¯sing from experience?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve actually helped out quite a bit.¡± ¡°¡­Did you get paid properly?¡± ¡°¡­¡­Well, I owed them a lot of favors.¡± ¡°Sigh¡­¡± . . . While Seo Hoyun was nagging Kim Seonghyeon to stop living like that, Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun enjoyed their lunch cheerfully. The scene fast-forwarded, and soon, it transitioned to another screen. ¡¾The Dawn Electronics Mid-Year Report 20XX¡¿ In reality, no intern would ever dream of being part of a mid-term report, but Seo Hoyun quickly exined that at The Dawn Electronics, they nurture budding interns by allowing them to attend and even present. Of course, the ¡°parachute¡± intern Kang Ichae was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Jeong Dajun, repeat after me.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± With Jeong Dajun trembling beside him before the important presentation, Seo Hoyun nced at his tablet and rubbed his eyes as if exhausted. ¡°Thepany won¡¯t go bankrupt just because I make a mistake.¡± ¡°¡­The-thepany won¡¯t go bankrupt?¡± ¡°Yes, good. You can spit in a smiling face.¡± ¡°Spit in a smiling face?!¡± Not knowing that Jeong Dajun had misunderstood, Seo Hoyun turned off his tablet and headed to the conference room. ¡°It¡¯s your fault for dumping work on us, so deal with it!¡± ¡°And if they im that Jeong Dajun made a mistake?¡± ¡°Quickly fix it, but maintain the ¡®Oh, did thepany go bankrupt~~!¡¯ attitude.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Like a brainwashed kid, Jeong Dajun replied in 0.1 seconds. Seo Hoyun, with a satisfied smile, brushed back Jeong Dajun¡¯s messy bangs. ¡°I¡¯m expecting good results.¡± ¡°¡­! Yes!!¡± With those words, Seo Hoyun opened the conference room door and entered. Jeong Dajun, moving stiffly, slowly walked to the front. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Jeong Dajun¡¯s turn this time? I¡¯m looking forward to it.¡± Seong Jiwon, sitting across from Seo Hoyun, smiled brightly. The clear smile, free of any blemish, seemed to light up the meeting room, which had darkened when the projector was turned on for the PPT presentation. ¡°You know the topic, right? As long as it¡¯s about increasing The Dawn¡¯s teamwork, it¡¯s fine.¡± Seeing this, Jeong Dajun momentarily froze as if his brain short-circuited, then quickly turned his head toward Seo Hoyun. ¡°Team Leader Seo!! Team Leader Seong is smiling, what should I do in this situation?! D-do I spit?¡± ¡°¡­¡± [?????????????????????????????????????????? Jeong Dajun, you crazy guy ????????????????????????????????????] [It doesn¡¯t mean to actually spit if someone smiles????????????????] Seo Hoyun¡¯s eyebrow twitched. Twirling his pen, he leaned back in his chair and spoke. ¡°Most of what Seong Jiwon says is correct, so just swallow what¡¯s in your mouth and listen carefully.¡± ¡°Wow, talk about favoritism¡­¡± ¡°Baby Team Leader, be quiet.¡± ¡°Oww!¡± Seo Hoyun, who had startled Kim Seonghyeon sitting diagonally across, gestured to Jeong Dajun. Jeong Dajun clenched his fist energetically and turned on the PPT. ¡¾How to Increase The Dawn¡¯s Teamwork!! Subtitle: How to Stop Team Leader Seo Hoyun¡¯s Nagging! -Jeong Dajun-¡¿ Jeong Dajun had racked his brain and prepared this, pushed by Lee Jihyun, who imed that things must be created from scratch to be of value to the fans. ¡°In my opinion, the most important factor in increasing The Dawn¡¯s teamwork is to curb Team Leader Seo¡¯s nagging. Never mind why! Why does he have such a personality in the first ce!!¡± However, it was a mess to the point where it was an embarrassment to say he had put much effort into it. The background was a ringly bright rainbow color that hurt the eyes, with text in the Gungseo font stered over it. On top of that, photos of Seo Hoyun flew in from all directions¡ªtop to bottom, right to left. [Screeeam] The screen was extremely chaotic, but the Noeuls were busy capturing it despite the shy animation. All the pictures on the PPT were previously unpublished. [I¡¯ve never seen any of these before, damn!!!!!!!!!] [The sleeping photo is insane, first time seeing it;;;;;;;;;;;;] [Dajun, you have amazing sense. Make Jeong Dajun the CEO of thispany right now] Although it wasn¡¯t done with any ulterior motive, it was incredibly well-received by the fans. Meanwhile, Jeong Dajun continued his presentation, banging the podium. ¡°In conclusion! To please Seo Hoyun, The Dawn had to memorize all the custom menus from every coffee shop chain in Korea! Even though a simple Americano would suffice!!¡± From start to finish, Seo Hoyun scrutinized the contents on the screen with sharp eyes. ¡°Jeong Dajun.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± With a face looking quite pleased with himself, Jeong Dajun stared at Seo Hoyun. Seo Hoyun tapped the table with his pen. ¡°Have you ever, even once, brought me a customized drink that suited my taste?¡± ¡°¡­!!¡± ¡°When I asked for a drink, didn¡¯t you just pour a Pine bud drink into a frappino? Are you trying to poison me?¡± ¡°T-that was! I just thought mixing all the things you like might work!¡± Caught off guard, Jeong Dajun stuttered. Mixing the drink into a frappino was partly to see if Seo Hoyun would like it but also out of curiosity. Nheless, all of Jeong Dajun¡¯s efforts, which he had diligently prepared until now, went up in smoke. ¡°Did I ask for something so difficult? Alright, Kim Seonghyeon. Tell me what I like.¡± ¡°Pine bud drink, citron tea, and for syrup, usually caramel, chocte, and condensed milk.¡± ¡°See? How hard is that?¡± Ignoring Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s grumbling that it¡¯s impossible not to know after being told so much, Seo Hoyun cornered Jeong Dajun. ¡°The topic is all over the ce. What¡¯s your point?¡± ¡°What¡¯s with the animation?¡± ¡°Start with the conclusion.¡± Jeong Dajun screamed ¡°Aahhh!!¡± in the inside and looked down. He could hear Seo Hoyun clicking his tongue. ¡°¡­What do you do if you can¡¯t memorize it?¡± ¡°If it were me, I¡¯d write it down on a memo and show it to the staff every time I ordered.¡± ¡°¡­That¡¯s an option?!!¡± Jeong Dajun pped his forehead with a loud smack. Seong Jiwon tilted his head in confusion. ¡°You knew that, but why didn¡¯t you tell him, Team Leader Hoyun?¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Seo Hoyun stopped tapping his pen on the table and leaned close to whisper to Seong Jiwon. ¡°Because it¡¯s cute to see him so flustered.¡± ¡°Ah, I see.¡± [??????????????????????????????????????????????????????] [Hey, you son of a bitch!!!!????????????????????] ¡°¡­Team Leader Seo¡­¡± Though he pretended to whisper, his voice rang clearly throughout the conference room. Having heard everything, Jeong Dajun red at Seo Hoyun with eyes zing. ¡°Earlier, you told me to just tell them to deal with it themselves!!¡± ¡°That¡¯s for other departments.¡± ¡°What??¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything about within the same department.¡± Just as Seo Hoyun left someone in a daze, the conference room door burst open with a bang. ¡°Hello~.¡± It was Kang Ichae. He, who had been grinding his teeth in resentment because of beingbeled a parachute¡­ [Crazy b*****] ¡­actually showed up with a real parachute on his back. [Hey, you crazy bastard??????????????????????????????] ¡°Paragliding enthusiast Kang the Parachute has arrived.¡± After being one-upped by Seo Hoyun, he had asked the staff to get a parachute from the tvK prop room. While Seong Jiwon chuckled, both Kim Seonghyeon and Seo Hoyun¡¯s faces soured simultaneously as Kang Ichae, wearing a sturdy helmet and even goggles, stood next to Jeong Dajun. ¡°Get out.¡± ¡°Oh,e on, just a moment!¡± Seo Hoyun pointed to the door, but Kang Ichae stubbornly held the remote and switched the screen. Kim Seonghyeon, having long given up on stopping his team¡¯s rapper, could only watch with a tired expression. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll be presenting on a topic from the Strategic nning Office.¡± Hearts swirled around the screen in a dazzling disy before disappearing to reveal text. ¡¾The Dawn Electronics SAGA¡¿ ¡°Excuse me, why are we suddenly talking about a saga? It has nothing to do with teamwork.¡± ¡°Team Leader Kim Seonghyeon, if the saga is good, won¡¯t our morale rise too?¡± Kang Ichae responded brazenly as if it were obvious and pointed at Seo Hoyun. ¡°I was deeply moved by Team Leader Seo¡¯s warm! and! kind! treatment since joining the Strategy nning Office.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m quite a warm-hearted guy.¡± ¡°When you treat me like that every day, it really gets my creative juices flowing.¡± Seo Hoyun¡¯s brows furrowed deeply. No wonder he kept disappearing somewhere during filming breaks or was always engrossed in typing on hisptop alone. Kang Ichae snapped his fingers confidently and shed a self-assured smile. ¡°Let me show you.¡± Kang Ichae clicked a small heart on the screen¡¯s corner. The room fell silent as a beat started ying. [Wow, this song is amazing] [What is this, is he releasing an unreleased track here??!] For Kang Ichae, who had been holed up working since Shining Star Season 2, creating a money-scented R&B beat was a breeze. When the Noeuls clutched their excited hearts and staredintently at the screen¡­ Pa- Pa- Pa- ¡­the machine sounds ovepped, making the melody even richer. [I¡¯m so nervous, I can¡¯t watch this] [Are they seriously revealing it here?] The lyrics came through. Papapapara¡ªchute~. ¡°¡­¡­?¡± Parapara¡ªchute~ ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Parachute. That is, a parachute. Yeah~ I¡¯m a para~~ chute, You¡¯re a ~~ve~. As everyone¡¯s mouths dropped open, Kang Ichae twisted his body slightly, as if embarrassed, and said, ¡°I made it based on my personal experiences.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± [This crazy bastard] The fans¡¯ reactions, which had momentarily stopped, began flooding various SNS andmunities. [Hey Kang Ichae, you crazy guy????????????????????????????????????????] [There¡¯s a reason this guy gets along so well with Seo Hoyun, he¡¯s ying with Noeul¡¯s heart??????????????] Regardless of the expressions on the members¡¯ faces, Kang Ichae kept patting his chest, seemingly moved by his own song. You are~~ a ve~ oh no~. ¡°Hey, you parachute idiot!!!¡± ¡°Get out, tell that guy to use his parachute and jump out the window.¡± As Kim Seonghyeon, who had honed his skills through various part-time jobs, and Seo Hoyun, who had gained a lot of experience in the workce, stood up in extreme anger¡­ No~ yes, I¡¯m a ve~~ yes. ¡­a clear voice echoed throughout the meeting room. I am a ve~~ yes! That¡¯s right. Title: Parachute (feat. Seong Jiwon). I am Jiwon from Human Resources, YO Ichae told me to just try what I want, So here I am rapping about No and Yes. ¡°¡­What is this.¡± Seo Hoyun, whose mind was foggy from listening to the crisp, stato rap, quickly turned his head to Seong Jiwon, demanding an exnation with his eyes. ¡°¡­Well, I liked the song.¡± [Seong Jiwon, haven¡¯t you given up on rapping yet?] [Seems like he hasn¡¯t¡­] Kang Ichae winked at Seong Jiwon. ¡°You¡¯ve improved dramatically!¡± ¡°Ahaha, it¡¯s all thanks to you, Ichae!¡± Kim Seonghyeon nced sharply at this harmonious pair. At the same time, Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s voice narrated. ¨C ¡°This is a collusion. Come to think of it, even if the CEO nted the parachute, it couldn¡¯t go through without the Human Resources Team Leader¡¯s approval.¡± ¨C ¡°We were so captivated by that harmless smile that we forgot this obvious fact¡­¡± The scene changed to show Kang Ichae jumping out of the meeting room window and paragliding. ¨C ¡°Goodbye, parachute.¡± As the paragliding figure drifted down gently, the setting sun in the background seemed to mark the end of a long day, and The Dawn¡¯s logo appeared. ¨C ¡°Goodbye, ve.¡± Then, the camera showed the three eldest members quickly escaping the meeting room. Following them was Jeong Dajun, who turned off the lights and clenched his fist as he left. ¨C ¡°Goodbye, elephant¡­¡± ¡°We did well today!! Good job!!¡± The wstful voice concluded the scene, and as the ending credits slowly rolled up, the Noeuls pondered over what they had just witnessed. [Ah¡­] After a short while, they all reached the same conclusion. [This is what a waste of talent looks like¡­] These guys were seriously dedicated to maintaining their B-grade sensibility alive. [They¡¯re seriously all in on this¡­ ©¸I heard there¡¯s a rumor that they lose their pride if they lose at being funny, seems to be true. ©¸©¸Guys¡­ if you fail to be funny, do you get kicked out to the dorm in your underwear? Noona can¡¯t figure out the reason, so I¡¯m curious¡­ ©¸©¸Sounds usible¡­.] ¡°Papapapapara¡ªchute~.¡± ¡°ve~.¡± Just when they thought it was over, a post-credits scene appeared. This time, it showed all of The Dawn, including Seong Jiwon, in the same outfits, diligently slurping Pyongyang cold noodles in a restaurant. Jeong Dajun swallowed a mouthful of noodles and asked, ¡°Are we performing this song at the concert?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Everyone remained silent. Even Kang Ichae, who wrote andposed the song, couldn¡¯t answer. [1] Author¡¯s note: One of the iconic memes from the 408th episode of MBC¡¯s legendary variety show Infinite Challenge (2006.05.06.-2018.03.31.), titled ¡®Giant of Temptation¡¯. Chapter 181 Chapter 181 After the third episode of the reality show aired, the response started to heat up. [Title: Did you guys watch The Dawn¡¯s variety show? Why didn¡¯t anyone tell me these guys are such a st? I feel betrayed right now. Don¡¯t you know I love this B-grade vibe?? ©¸Have you been living in a cave? The Dawn has been famous for being crazy for ages¡­ ©¸©¸No, I was too obsessed with my main fandom¡­] Though The Dawn had always showcased incredibly entertaining self-produced content, it was primarily avable on tforms like YouTube or subscription-based fandom tforms, making it less essible to those outside of Noeul. However, this time, it was a reality show broadcast nationwide on free TV.It was even scheduled before a popr program on tvK, leading regr viewers to stumble upon it and start watching. If it were the typical content about popr ces or travel, it might have been overlooked. But the show featured these good-looking guys earnestly throwing jabs at each other, desperate not to miss a beat, and once you started watching, you couldn¡¯t help but get sucked in. Thanks to this, posts like these started popping up not only in idol caf¨¦s but also in fashion, beauty, and general hobby caf¨¦s. [Title: The reality show on tvK at 5:30 is so fun Are these the idols who ranked first in Shining Star?? I wasn¡¯t interested in Shining Star, so I didn¡¯t watch¡­ But I happened to catch it while watching TV with my daughter, and we keptughing~ ?? I told my daughter to bring home such handsome young men as husbands, and she just gave me a stern look~~^^ ©¸It feels like the old Saturday variety shows and it¡¯s fun? I remember being surprised when I heard that Seo Hoyun was the one with the issue about his parents passing away. ©¸©¸Really~~? Didn¡¯t seem like it¡­ He seemed bold and kind^^ I want to keep watching??] [Title: Shocked while watching Seo Hoyun¡¯s reality show Seo Hoyun is so different from the image I had in mind¡­ I did watch PTC, but I thought he was neat and soft-spoken. I thought he was a hardworking guy¡­ But oh boy¡­ the way he teases the members¡­ It¡¯s just like they brought PD Lee Jeonghun??? ©¸The teasing reminds me exactly of my senior in the military, gives me chills. ©¸©¸PD Lee Jeonghun was just living the role. ??] Fans of The Dawn searched for funny review posts, chuckling to themselves all the while. [??????????????????????Oh fuck, this is so hrious. People are finally starting to see Seo Hoyun¡¯s true nature¡­] [Yeah, Hoyun is¡­ well¡­ he treats our Noeul well¡­ But his real personality is¡­ ©¸???????I mean, he knows everyone has caught onto his personality, but it¡¯s so funny watching him stubbornly pretend otherwise???????] Seo Hoyun, sharp as ever when it came to The Dawn, was well aware that his true nature had been exposed. Yet, he always spoke sweetly to the fans. There was even a time at a fan signing event when one Noeul asked Seo Hoyun why he behaved like that. He was so flustered that he couldn¡¯t reply, and the moment was captured, spreading like wildfire across variousmunities. [There¡¯s a reason he¡¯s called a fan signing angel along with Seong Jiwon¡­ But he¡¯s a devil, lol] [You could call it false advertising¡­ ??] The nning team, observing this situation, was smiling as they saw reactions unfolding as nned. People were gradually realizing that the person they pitied was actually someone with a prickly personality who loved to tease others. [Anyway, kind of relieved¡­ Seems like the image transition went well] [??If they appear on terrestrial variety shows a few more times, it¡¯ll be fine??] As opinions like ¡°Seo Hoyun is crazier than expected¡± began to circte, they knew they had to drive the point home. Totally doable. Lee Jihyeon eagerly took Seo Hoyun¡¯s sly suggestion and crafted a n like mad. As soon as it waspleted, they submitted the proposal to tvK, which got an immediate OK. This is it. It wasn¡¯t just about teasing the members; it was a stage to show that he was aplete nutcase, a ¡°wild one.¡± Theirrgest budget yet would be invested in this final long-term project of The Dawn¡¯s variety shows, including their self-produced content. [Oh gosh, it¡¯s starting] Ba-bam! Bam¡ª Ba-bam! With the BGM, five men sporting ck sunsses, either undoing their jacket buttons or casually draping them over their shoulders, were shown climbing a set of stairs in slow motion on screen. [Oh fuck, is this what I think it is!!!] ¡¾The Dawn¡¯s Five ¨C Casino Royale¡¿ The logo appeared, and as it disappeared downward, Seong Jiwon lowered his sunsses slightly and winked, marking the start of the opening. [Wow~~~~~~~] [Is this a heist movie concept???] [Zampano Kim Seonghyeon Yenicall Kang Ichae[1] ©¸What about the character settings? ©¸©¸ It¡¯s just my desire, sorry] Fans of The Dawn, already a bunch of enthusiasts, went wild for this concept, rushing in with excitement. Even ordinary viewers, intrigued by the famous movie-inspired variety show, watched with an ¡°Oh, this looks fun¡± kind of interest. Scenes of shuffling cards, chewing gum, turning the dial of a safe, brushing back their hair acting cool, or leaning on their chin while looking at a board with the whole n were interspersed. ¡¾The Dawn¡¯s Five¡¿ Tazza ¨C Kang Ichae. Acting-savvy dealer ¨C Kim Seonghyeon. Genius at tightrope walking, infiltration, and safe-cracking ¨C Seong Jiwon. Beauty trap, information gathering ¨C Jeong Dajun. Leader Seo Hoyun, organizing and directing the entire n. [Oh no, fuck, Jeong Dajun as the beauty trap is killing me????????????????????????????] [No, acting-savvy < Can Kim Seonghyeon really do this? ©¸Is this for real¡­ Is this for real¡­????????] [Why is Kang Ichae so good at shuffling cards and one-hand fanning, did he live in Macau?] Then, as the profiles of the five appeared on screen one by one with a ¡°WANTED¡± stamp, they shattered dramatically and disappeared. Soon the dark screen gradually brightened, showing The Dawn gathered around a round table in a studio, apanied by a mechanical voice. ¨C ¡°Wee to the Emerging Dawn.¡± ¨C ¡°The Dawn sessfully pulled off a casino heist. However, due to betrayal within the team, all the jewels and gold bars disappeared.¡± ¨C ¡°You don¡¯t know the location of the jewels and gold bars, not even the password.¡± ¨C ¡°There are only three things you need to know: the location of the jewels, the gold bar, and the password to the locker containing the jewels; the mission code to say to get the password; and the fact that only the traitor knows the password.¡± ¨C ¡°Perform your roles, find the traitor, and retrieve the jewels and gold bars.¡± ¡°If we figure out the traitor, we just need to go to the payphone and call?¡± ¡°Got it~.¡± The Dawn whispered among themselves after hearing all the rules. [Isn¡¯t it obviously Seo Hoyun?] Amidst themotion, the total prize money was announced. ¨C ¡°If the person who finds the jewels or the traitor wins, a total prize of 5 million won will be awarded to the traitor.¡± [Oh wow] [Paseong, where do you get the money from¡­ ©¸It¡¯s tvK¡¯s money, obviously¡­ ©¸©¸Ah~] With the rough exnation over and the situation understood, The Dawn stood, eyeing each other warily. ¡°Let¡¯s split up first.¡± ¡°How about dividing into solo-rooms versus roommate pairs?¡± ¡°Sure. We can find the traitor at the end anyway.¡± They divided into teams surprisingly quickly and coolly without much fuss. It was because they already knew their roles well without needing to say much. [The Dawn is top-notch at group projects ??] [The guys are surprisingly mature and not prone to fighting] The camera followed the solo-room team first. Bang. As soon as Kim Seonghyeon got into the car and closed the door, he spoke without needing any further measurement, as if it was obvious. ¡°It¡¯s Seo Hoyun.¡± [Excuse me] ¡°There¡¯s no need to say it¡­¡± ¡°Of course, you¡¯d only be wasting your breath.¡± Kang Ichae scoffed as if it was the most natural thing, while beside him, Jeong Dajun nodded vigorously. ¡¾Guessing the Traitor! Kang Ichae, Kim Seonghyeon, Jeong Dajun ? Seo Hoyun¡¿ Then, naturally, the screen switched to the roommate group, showing Seong Jiwon and Seo Hoyun peacefully eating street hot dogs. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s Kang Ichae.¡± ¡°Aha, wouldn¡¯t it be strange if it wasn¡¯t?¡± ¡¾Guessing the Traitor 2! Seong Jiwon, Seo Hoyun ? Kang Ichae¡¿ ¡¾The Dawn: Generally not very trusting of each other.¡¿ [How has this group not disbanded yet? ©¸????????????????????????????????] As the members of The Dawn showcased their tearful true friendship and the Noeulsughed, the mission began. ¡¾Get a hint about the traitor! ¡¿ Following the staff¡¯s instructions, the solo-room team moved to another studio, where they searched thoroughly and finally found a small message card. ¡¾Act out a scene from the provided movie in your assigned role. ¡¿ That legendary scene. The jewels had been found, but realizing the SWAT team was approaching the building, they pondered how to escape, coincidentally causing a pipe to burst, and using that opportunity to escape while pretending to be a victim. ¡°Wow~~!!!¡± ¡°Eek~! Absing soon~?¡± Except for Kim Seonghyeon, who was designated by the message card as having an ¡°Acting-savvy dealer¡± concept, the maknaes were already dying of excitement at the thought of teasing their hyung. [tvK, where is it, I¡¯m going to buy stocks] [The producers are so educated; their educational level is dragging on the floor] ¡°¡­Really? Me?¡± Kim Seonghyeon paused with his face buried in his hands and let out a deep sigh. Then, having made up his mind, he took off his jacket. Ignoring the shrieking maknaes as best as he could, he headed to the designated spot. After several takes, subtitles appeared. ¡¾Barely managed to capture this after an hour of filming.¡¿ Ssshhh¡ª. As the pipe burst and water sshed, the screen moved from bottom to top, passing over a hand with visible blue veins, a solid forearm, a sharply indented corbone through a ck tank top, up along a neckline to a sharp jawline. Kim Seonghyeon filled the screen as he brushed back his hair, wet and obstructing his view, and looked directly at the camera. [Wow, shot¡­¡­¡­¡­] Everyone watching was left speechless by the seductive scene. Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s eyes were fierce as he shook his head to fling off the water. [Uh, sorry, you¡¯re drooling ©¸??????????????????????????????????] [Seonghyeon, you¡¯re still so na?ve about this harsh world¡­] Thanks to Seo Hoyun¡¯s guidance, Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s expressive acting was quite convincing as long as he kept his mouth shut, leaving everyone in a state of awe. ¡°Ugh.¡± However¡­ ¡°I. Was. In. The. Shower. And. Now. I¡¯m. Scared. To. Death.¡± [??????????????????????????????????? Seonghyeon, please give us a moment to be awed by your body] [Is this real, shit?????????????????????????] As Kim Seonghyeon descended the stairs modestly in a bathrobe and delivered his line, the atmosphere shattered. ¡°I will escort you.¡± ¡°Thank. You.¡± As Jeong Dajun, dressed as a SWAT team member, extended his arm to Kim Seonghyeon with a stifledugh, Kim Seonghyeon staggered as if dizzy and leaned against Dajun¡¯s chest. [2] Even though he had to bend his back and lower his head because of the height difference, Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s expression remained utterly serious. [Is this for real? ??????????????] ¡¾Kim Seonghyeon Mission Sess!¡¿ ¡¾Clue to the traitor acquired.¡¿ Even the production team seemed to think the acting was terrible, as they added an exnation alongside the mission sess caption. ¡¾¡ùIt seems the ratings will go up, so the production team unanimously decided to give him a pass.¡¿ [Oh my gosh, I feel like my heart¡¯s going to burst ©¸ Fromughing? ©¸©¸ You know¡­ I¡¯m not that innocent¡­ ©¸©¸I was just asking¡­] In a scene that was both cool and funny, one that seemed like it could be chewed over and over for a lifetime, the fans were in stitches, while regr viewers found amusement in Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s awkward acting and his beet-red ears. Because he was genuinely trying his best. Having barelypleted his mission, Kim Seonghyeon dried his hair with a towel and read the hint given to him by the staff. ¡°¡¯To you, it might have happened several times, but for me, it¡¯s just once.¡¯¡± ¡°Ah! See, it¡¯s Hoyun-hyung!¡± It was Seo Hoyun¡¯s part from ¡°Kill the Lights.¡± Fans, like the other members of The Dawn, expected either Seo Hoyun or Kang Ichae. However, the straightforward result felt somewhat anticlimactic. [What the heck Is this for real? Talk about a letdown] [??????But image-wise, Seo Hoyun is the most fitting¡­] As Kim Seonghyeon checked the paper back and forth for any additional information, Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae exchanged looks. = OK? = OK. Sensing something suspicious, just as Kim Seonghyeon was about to lift his head when¡ª ¡°Hyung, I¡¯m sorry!!!¡± ¡°Sorry!! The number don¡¯t work out neatly when divided by three!!¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± Before he could even fully extend his arm, the maknaes dashed out of the studio. ¡°Hey, hey!!!¡± Frozen in ce with his hair still wet and his clothes damp, Kim Seonghyeon tried to chase after them, but the stylist clung to him with all her might. Ultimately, as the scene faded out, Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s profile appeared with a ¡°Fail¡± stamp over it. ¡¾First betrayal urs! Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun betrayed Kim Seonghyeon.¡¿ [????????? Guys, this is called teamwork????????????????] [They were blinded by money¡­] ¡¾Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun and Seong Jiwon¡¯s team¡­¡¿ On the sunlit terrace of a caf¨¦, Seo Hoyun dipped arge slice of honey bread into whipped cream and stuffed it into his mouth. Sitting across from him, Seong Jiwonzily lowered his sunsses down his nose and sipped his iced Americano through a straw. Ignoring the incessant buzzing of phone notifications and calls, they leisurely enjoyed their time. [Hey] ¡°Seong Jiwon, is it good?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s good.¡± ¡°d to hear it.¡± [Why are you guys filming We Got Married] It was a scene of utter tranquility. [1] Zampano, yed by Kim Soohyun, and Yenicall, yed by Jun Jihyun, are names of the major characters in the hit 2012 movie, The Thieves. [2] Spoiler for The Thieves: Towards the end of the movie, Jun Jihyun¡¯s character escape by wetting herself, wrapping a towel around her half-naked body, and letting the police escort her. She then escapes after they give her clothes. Chapter 182 Chapter 182 ¡°This is sweeter than I thought?¡± ¡°Do you want mine?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s just right.¡± [What are these two doing right now?] While one endured humiliation filming a crime movie, the other filmed a virtual dating show. The screen was filled with pink hearts, and the subtitles openly disyed incredulity. ¡¾Are you two perhaps mistaken about the program?¡¿ ¡°Hey, eat this.¡± ¡°Huh? No, no, Hoyun, you eat it. I¡¯m not that hungry.¡±¡°I ordered it for you.¡± [Ah, seriously, this cheesy vibe is so unbearable ©¸ But you seem to beughing quite a lot for someone who hates it ©¸©¸ Busted] As minutes passed in the brief 30-minute segment, the two continued eating. Seo Hoyun even closed his eyes and savored his cold drink, unconcerned that his phone¡¯s battery might die from the constant notifications. Eventually, the PD, unable to watch any longer, stepped in. ¡°Excuse me¡­ aren¡¯t you two going toplete the mission?¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Seo Hoyun slightly squinted and looked at him, answering calmly. ¡°It¡¯s nice here, so is there a need to go?¡± [Did he eat something bad?] As spected that the hotdog he ate earlier was bad, or maybe he drank too much of that pine bud drink, Seong Jiwon¡¯s expression was zoomed in on. [Ah~~~!!!] He was smiling with a slightly awkward look. [Ah, I see, Seo Hoyun is the traitor so he¡¯s trying to sabotage Jiwon on purpose] [Oh, that¡¯s it¡­ I thought Seo Hoyun got hit on the head or something¡­ ©¸ Right, no matter who he¡¯s with, Seo Hoyun wouldn¡¯t act like this¡­] ¡°¡­Hmm. Should we still give it a try?¡± ¡°Alright, if you say so.¡± [But why does this guy talk like this? ©¸Ah, I can¡¯t get used to it] But when Seong Jiwon suggested it, Seo Hoyun quickly changed his attitude and agreed. Seong Jiwon slightly raised the corners of his lips and hurriedly moved, looking a tad anxious. ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired?¡± ¡°Hoyun, you must be more tired. You probably didn¡¯t sleep well.¡± Surrounded by flower CGs, Seo Hoyun kindly asked while checking Seong Jiwon¡¯splexion. [Stop with the flower CGI ©¸ I can smell the flowers from here¡­] Fans tilted their heads, watching the two amicably chatting and moving together. [Guys Seeing Seo Hoyun being all nice is confusing me Is Hoyun really a fan signing angel?] [Seo Hoyun always leaves us wondering if he¡¯s a jerk or not¡­ ©¸ I see¡­] Below Seo Hoyun, who threw the Noeuls into confusion, a caption appeared. ¡¾It seems you two have no intention of doing the mission¡­¡¿ Viewers who were watching felt disappointed with the unexpectedly peaceful progression. However, those who knew Seo Hoyun well were sure this show wouldn¡¯t proceed normally. They believed he was setting the stage to his advantage, running simtions in his head. The key was whether Seong Jiwon knew it or not. As fans of The Dawn were eagerly discussing how the broadcast would unfold, the screen suddenly shifted. ¡¾Meanwhile, what about Kang Ichae?¡¿ In front of the production team, Kang Ichae sat with his legs crossed, leisurely smiling as he slowly checked the cardsid out on the floor. The sunsses hanging on his half-buttoned Hawaiian shirt slightly wobbled. ¡¾ying poker with the production team for the location of the jewels and gold bars¡¿ The Noeuls were momentarily flustered by the sight. [He looks so cool, but¡­ that¡­] [Ichae, you don¡¯t have friends] They were merciless even to their ¡°precious ones.¡± [How did you practice poker without friends?] [He said he tried Halli Galli for the first time on V-livest time, so he must have practiced hard¡­] Kang Ichae checked his cards and smirked. ¡°All in.¡± He pushed all his chips forward. The production team flinched momentarily but soon matched the bet, agreeing to reveal their cards. The production team revealed their hand first. Ace full house. A very high-ranking hand. When Kang Ichae remained still, seemingly epting his loss, the production team thought they won and began collecting the chips. ¡°Wait a moment.¡± Kang Ichae stopped them, slowly revealing his hand. [Straight Flush?!?!?!] Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit. The legendary hand, said to appear with a 0.001% probability, unfolded right before their eyes. [Ah?? ?? This is ridiculous, don¡¯t make it obvious there¡¯s a script ?] [Even in two-game poker on Paprika, this is hard to see?????????] [?????Three strikes, dismissed for being ridiculous!!] As negative reactions surged in real-time, an exnation about the straight flush appeared in the captions, as if anticipating this response. ¡¾Hold on! To the viewers suspecting maniption, please watch this rey video.¡¿ The screen showed the dealer distributing the cards. The same scene reyed slowly, capturing the moment Kang Ichae switched cards through his sleeve during the brief moment the dealer and opponent were distributing and checking their cards. ¡¾Just like a real card shark, switching cards through his sleeve. This footage is aired with Kang Ichae¡¯s consent.¡¿ ¡¾>Swear on the wealth of CEO of Daepaseong Entertainment, it¡¯s not manipted<¡¿ Everyone watching the broadcast was stunned into silence. [He switched it?!?!?!] As soon as Kang Ichae knew his role, he anticipated such a mission and had preemptively hidden cards up his sleeve. During filming, neither the staff nor the PD noticed. It was only after repeated reviews during editing that they realized. [It¡¯s not manipted, damn¡­ Kang Ichae¡¯s face is shown in slow motion¡­ his hand movements are amazing¡­ ©¸ If it wasn¡¯t for the slow motion, we wouldn¡¯t have known] [But Ichae has a lot of money¡­ why is he trying so hard? ©¸ The consensus is he¡¯s just doing it because it¡¯s fun¡­¡­ ©¸©¸He¡¯s taking even a flea¡¯s liver, this guy¡­] ¡°We lost¡­.¡± ¡°Ahaha?¡± After receiving the deration of defeat, Kang Ichae kissed his cards and took the mission card from the production crew. ¡°Thank you, the happy ending is mine~.¡± Quoting a line from the movie that inspired the show, Kang Ichae blew a kiss and stood up, heading outside. ¡¾Kang Ichae Mission Sess!¡¿ ¡¾Gains the location of jewels and gold bars.¡¿ The jacket draped over Kang Ichae¡¯s shoulders fluttered. The Noeuls couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly. [Well, Ichae, even without friends¡­ being cool is what matters ©¸???????????????????????????Ichae¡¯s mysterious first loss ?] . . . As Kang Ichae obtained the location of the jewels and gold bars, Jeong Dajun headed to Daepaseong Entertainment under the staff¡¯s guidance to decipher the mission code. ¡°I¡¯ll try to enchant them all.¡± With his confidence at an all-time high, he slicked back his hair and entered thepany. Having grown up closely observing Seo Hoyun¡¯s persuasive way of speaking, Jeong Dajun felt confident he could imitate it well. As he walked the familiar path and was about to pass through the lobby, someone at the reception desk called out to him. ¡¾Who is waiting for Jeong Dajun, who came for a mission?¡¿ ¡°You¡¯re here?¡± [????] This time, however, someone entirely unexpected appeared. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting.¡± [Min Jiheon, are you out of your mind??!??!?!?!!!!!!!!!!] It was Min Jiheon, exuding an even more actor-like aura than during the Please Take the Camera days. Originally, one of the staff members was supposed to do it, but Lee Jihyeon, spotting Min Jiheon wandering around thepany with nothing to do, quickly recruited him. Since he was bored anyway, thought his dongsaeng would like it if he appeared on The Dawn¡¯s variety show, and might even meet Seo Hoyun, Min Jiheon dly epted the offer. ¡°¡­S-s-sunbae-nim?¡± Unaware of these circumstances, Jeong Dajun froze like a buffering video, stunned by facing his ultimate favorite without any prior warning. ¡°¡­Why¡­??¡± Min Jiheon smiled brightly and stepped out from the reception desk, moving closer to Jeong Dajun. ¡°You¡¯re looking for something, right?¡± ¡°¡­Ah!!¡± [That¡­ It seems like Jeong Dajun is the one getting enchanted] [Exactly, but if I met Seo Hoyun, I¡¯d be thrilled too ©¸Jeong Dajun is quite patient, isn¡¯t he¡­] Seeing his idol, whom he only saw on TV,e alive within a meter¡¯s distance, Jeong Dajun shook his head to clear his mind. After all, he had a mission to enchant the opponent, guess the movie line, and obtain the code. Bang!! Jeong Dajun mmed his hand against the wall next to Min Jiheon and forced a trembling smile. ¡°Jeonghwa, shall we truly fall in love?¡± ¡¾Jeong Dajun¡¯s idea of the ultimate seductive strategy: kabedon.[1]¡¿ [????????????????????????????? Oh my gosh, I¡¯m going crazy ???????????] He ambitiously quoted a famous line from Please Take the Camera, but Min Jiheon just smiled as he looked down at the up-close Jeong Dajun. It wasn¡¯t the correct mission answer. ¡°¡­Yep. I guess not. Sorry.¡± Overwhelmed with disappointment and embarrassment, the maknae pulled his hand from the wall and tried to escape. But Min Jiheon was quicker and grabbed Jeong Dajun¡¯s arm. ¡°¡­?!?!¡± Their positions swapped in an instant, and when Jeong Dajun came to his senses, he found himself trapped between Min Jiheon¡¯s arm and the wall. Jeong Dajun¡¯s eyes darted nervously as Min Jiheon slowly lowered his head. His neatly kept brown hair fell over his smooth forehead¡­ The scene was captured so beautifully that the camera director couldn¡¯t tell if it was a variety show or a drama. [Wow, but Min Jiheon¡­ He¡¯s truly handsome¡­ ©¸He¡¯s mastered the art of making everything look like a drama¡­] ¡°¡­Let¡¯s break up.¡± ¡°¡­Yep? You mean¡­ with me, sunbae-nim?¡± ¡°Break up.¡± [But he¡¯s talking nonsense¡­ ©¸?????????????????????????????????] ¡°We¡¯ve¡­ never dated, though?¡± [Jeong Dajun adds fuel to the fire¡­ ©¸Oh shoot, I¡¯m going to lose it ???????????????] Jeong Dajun¡¯s bewildered face was caught perfectly on camera. It was a phrase he¡¯d heard somewhere before, but with Min Jiheon right in front of him, the memory was just out of reach. Min Jiheon looked at Jeong Dajun, who was deeply engrossed with a furrowed brow, and spoke with unwavering sincerity in a poignant expression and a wistful voice. ¡°Do you love me?¡±[2] ¡°¡­!!¡± [OMG] At that moment, a chill shot through his mind. It was the famous line from a melodrama Jeong Dajun, who had never experienced love, been in a rtionship, or even a crush, had cried over. Jeong Dajun, who was just opening and closing his mouth, suddenly pped his forehead with his hand and responded with the next line. ¡°How, how does love change!!!¡±[3] Ding-dong-dang-dong!! Immediately, the crew behind the camera went wild, beating the xylophone like crazy. ¡¾Jeong Dajun Mission Sess!¡¿ ¡¾Mission code obtained.¡¿ [Hey Jeong Dajun] [Jeong Dajun, how do you know this? You weren¡¯t even born then.] ¡°Kyaaah!!¡± ¡°Goodbye, Dajun?¡± ¡°Yes!! Yes, sunbae! I¡¯m a big fan!!¡± ¡°Hahaha, I like you too, Dajun.¡± Jeong Dajun roared with joy and bowed 90 degrees to Min Jiheon. As Jeong Dajun dashed off, Min Jiheon watched him with a fond smile. ¡°Hyung!! Ichae-hyung, I got it, ahh!!¡± It was a problem that only Jeong Dajun, a drama fanatic who imed to have been educated early on dramas and movies since he was in his mother¡¯s womb, could solve. As soon as he stepped out of thepany, Jeong Dajun pulled out his phone and excitedly called Kang Ichae. ¨C ¡°Did you get it?¡± ¡°Yeah!! Oh, Min Jiheon-sunbae¡¯s acting is amazing, no, that¡¯s not the point. Did you win the bet, hyung?¡± ¨C ¡°Of course I won. So what is it?¡± ¡°How does love change!!¡± As Jeong Dajun shouted in pure joy, he heard Kang Ichae¡¯s lowughter from the other side of the phone. ¨C ¡°Right, how does it change, Dajun.¡± At those words reaching his ears, Jeong Dajun had an unsettling feeling. ¡°¡­Huh?¡± ¨C ¡°I think this is our end.¡± ¡°Whaaat?¡± With that, Kang Ichae ended it. ¨C ¡°We¡¯re breaking up.¡± Dajun stared at the phone, stunned, then frantically tried calling back. However¡­ ¨C ¡°You have reached the voicemail¡­¡± ¡°¡­Blocked?¡± [?????????????????????????????????????????????] [Ah??????????????????????????? He dumped you like that??????????] ¡°Wait, why?!¡± [Why, you ask??????????????????????????? You got betrayed????] ¡¾Second betrayal urs! Kang Ichae betrayed Jeong Dajun!¡¿ While Jeong Dajuny on the ground in frustration, stomping his feet at the unfairness of being betrayed, Kang Ichae was using the speakerphone to call someone. ¨C ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Have you been well, Macao Seo?¡±[4] Kang Ichae smiled broadly as if he found it amusing. ¡°Everything ready?¡± With less than five minutes remaining until the end of the broadcast, the screen suddenly rewound like a video tape, and the caption ¡°10 minutes before filming¡± appeared. In the studio where the members initially sat, Seong Jiwon, Kim Seonghyeon, and Jeong Dajun were chatting happily, while Kang Ichae was in a corner shuffling cards, warming up his hands. ¡°Kang Ichae.¡± Seo Hoyun approached Kang Ichae silently, making no sound as he walked. Kang Ichae, who nced up at him, raised an eyebrow. ¡°Let¡¯s set up a deal.¡± With the light behind him, Seo Hoyun tilted his head arrogantly. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you won¡¯t regret it.¡± He appeared confident in the oue. Kang Ichae¡¯s lips curved into a cheerful arc. At the same tim, the arrangement of the continuously opposing teams began to move, and lines appeared over the emojis of Jeong Dajun and Kim Seonghyeon in CG. Instead, a new person was added next to Kang Ichae, and arrows pointed back and forth between them. ¡¾Kang Ichae, Seo Hoyun. Secret alliance.¡¿ They had nned to betray the other members from the start. [Wow¡­] A movie BGM yed over the screen as Kang Ichae walked somewhere. ¡°You know who the traitor is?¡± ¨C ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s Seong Jiwon.¡± ¡°Seonghyeon-hyung calls him hyung though.¡± ¨C ¡°Of course that¡¯s a lie, man. Would Kim Seonghyeon just spill the beans?¡± ¡°Hmm. He seems like he would.¡± ¨C ¡°Only to you, maybe.¡± At Seo Hoyun¡¯s words, Kang Ichae lowered his gaze slightly and pondered while stroking his chin beforeing to a conclusion. ¡°Why? I¡¯ll tell you. In fact, I¡¯ve already sent the locker location via text.¡± His eyes lifted to gaze somewhere. ¡°But you know¡ª.¡± It was the public phone the staff had set up in advance to report traitors. ¡°¡ªit might be a bitte even if I do tell.¡± Kang Ichae had intended to betray Seo Hoyun from the start. ¡°I¡¯ll be quicker than you, hyung.¡± ¡¾Third betrayal urs! Kang Ichae betrayed Seo Hoyun!¡¿ [1] Kabedon = the wall-m [2] Author¡¯s note: A famous line by Sang-woo (Yoo Ji-tae) from the movie One Fine Spring Day (2001.09.28.). [3] Author¡¯s note: Another line by Sang-woo from One Fine Spring Day (2001.09.28), also used as a mission code in episode 110 of MBC¡¯s variety show Infinite Challenge (2006.05.06.-2018.03.31.). [4] Based on Macao Park, the mastermind from The Thieves. Chapter 183 Chapter 183 Kang Ichae and Seo Hoyun were as devious as they were perfectly matched. ¡°You¡¯ll use Jeong Dajun and Kim Seonghyeon to find out the mission code and location. I¡¯ll find out who the traitor is.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± They knew each other so well that it was easy to predict each other¡¯s actions, and they thought they could easily obtain the necessary information when they teamed up. After exchanging nces, they turned their backs and gave a sly smile, which was oveid with a speech bubble CG. ¡¾He¡¯s going to betray, this guy. ¡¿ ¡¾He¡¯s going to suck everyst drop¡­ ¡¿ [Wow, the production team nailed the character analysis ©¸They must have really studied The Dawn¡¯s concept]Lee Jihyeon¡¯s 56-page proposal included the character traits of each of The Dawn¡¯s members in such detail that the production team couldn¡¯t help but know it all. Deciding that things were getting more interesting, the production team paused and inserted a short interview with Kang Ichae. ¡¾Q. Who do you think the traitor is?¡¿ ¨C ¡°Hmm, the only person I believe everything they say in The Dawn is Seonghyeon-hyung.¡± ¡¾Q. Why is that?¡¿ ¨C ¡°Because you can tell when he¡¯s lying.¡± Kim Seonghyeon yed a decisive role in his reasoning. Kang Ichae then shed a grin and raised his sunsses. ¨C ¡°So, the traitor is definitely Seo Hoyun.¡± [Hey, I think you left ¡°hyung¡± out] Confident that he had figured everything out, Kang Ichae walked slowly towards the temporary public phone, speaking as he went. ¡°Do you think I¡¯d trust hyung?¡± ¨C ¡°What?¡± And then he entered the phone booth, fiddling with the receiver while joking around. ¡°Do you think Seonghyeon-hyung would lie? Don¡¯t talk nonsense. There¡¯s no way hyung could pull off acting like that.¡± ¨C ¡°¡­¡± ¡°No, even if he were a traitor, hyung, why were you just lounging around like an amateur? At least pretend you¡¯re doing the mission.¡± ¨C ¡°¡­Do you really think that?¡± Instead of answering, Kang Ichae merely chuckled. ¨C ¡°Ichae, where are you?¡± ¡°What would you do if you knew?¡± No matter how he thought about it, Kang Ichae couldn¡¯t believe Kim Seonghyeon was good enough at acting to deceive him. True, his facial expressions had improved recently, but when he spoke, he was a total mess. However, Seo Hoyun was different. Seo Hoyun could deceive the entire world without batting an eye. ¡°Hyung, I¡¯ll call you backter.¡± Kang Ichae waved to the invisible person on the other end. ¡°Do I need to tell you the code then?¡± Then mercilessly, Kang Ichae hung up, humming a tune as he picked up the receiver. [Thanks for making a movie, guys. I¡¯m full just from the setting, But¡­ trust each other a bit more. I¡¯d trust a door-to-door salesman more than this ©¸Seriously, door-to-door salespeople have more credibility] While the Noeuls tore their hair out over the hopeless trust between The Dawn members, Kang Ichae smirked and spoke. ¡°Traitor, Seo Hoyun.¡± He wanted to make this iconic scene look even more dramatic. ¡°Hoyun, how does love¡ª.¡± So, he deliberately paused for a moment, exhaled deeply, and in a wistful voice, began to speak the mission code, when a mechanical voice came from the other end of the receiver. ¨C ¡°Kang Ichae, you failed to identify the traitor.¡± ¨C ¡°You are immediately eliminated.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?!¡± A perplexed Kang Ichae couldn¡¯t even respond properly before the call was abruptly cut off. Beep¡ª beep¡ª. [?????] [Why did Ichae get eliminated?] As he stood there bewildered, unable to put down the phone, a knock came from behind. Knock, knock. Beep¡ª beep¡ª. Startled, he turned around to find Seo Hoyun slightly tilting his head, a faint smile ying on his lips. ¡°Hello.¡± The overly gentle tone was so out of ce that everyone watching the broadcast screamed in unison. Kang Ichae, unable to grasp what was happening, nced around before looking back at Seo Hoyun. ¡°¡­What the heck??¡± ¡°Haha.¡± Seo Hoyun opened the door of the phone booth and dusted off Kang Ichae¡¯s spotless shoulder for no reason. ¡°You should¡¯ve trusted hyung a bit more.¡± ¡°¡­!!¡± ¡°Come on out, you rascal.¡± Seo Hoyun chuckled as he pulled the snickering Kang Ichae out of the booth. [??????????????????????????????? Look at that satisfied expression ???????????] [Seems like he feels relieved??????] ¡°Wait a minute! You said I wouldn¡¯t regret it!!¡± ¡°You won¡¯t regret it because it was fun.¡± ¡¾Fourth betrayal urs! Seo Hoyun betrayed Kang Ichae!¡¿ Since it wasn¡¯t entirely untrue, Kang Ichae missed the chance to refute and was dragged away by the staff, visible even over Seo Hoyun¡¯s shoulder. [Wait, if it¡¯s not Seo Hoyun, then who¡¯s the traitor???] [Oh my, Seo Hoyun¡¯s going straight for it;;] [Gosh, this is intense. They said you can only do it once, isn¡¯t the difficulty too high?] Seo Hoyun, without any hesitation, dialed the number and then took out his phone from his pocket, showing the chat screen to the camera lens. ¨C Kim Seonghyeon: I did what you asked ¨C Kim Seonghyeon: They really betrayed me right away, those bastards¡­ ¨C Me: ?pic ¨C Kim Seonghyeon: You¡¯re bad too¡­ At the bottom of the short chat was a photo of the mission note, seemingly sent by Kim Seonghyeon. ¡¾Identify of the traitor ¡°We havee through the darkness for this moment.¡±¡¿ The legendaryst stage of Shining Star Season 2. It was the lyrics from ¡°Stardust.¡± Kim Seonghyeon had not intended to lie to Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun from the beginning. Even before filming, he tried to ignore Seo Hoyun¡¯s subtlements, like ¡°Who else can you trust besides Seong Jiwon?¡± which only served to increase his anxiety. But as time passed, Seo Hoyun¡¯s casual remarks lingered in his mind like the devil¡¯s whisper, and eventually, he gave a different hint as insurance. He truly intended to correct itter if Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae didn¡¯t betray him. But when he was actually backstabbed, the first person that came to mind was Seo Hoyun. If not him, who else was more suitable to handle the situation? ¡¾Fifth betrayal urs! Kim Seonghyeon betrayed Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun.¡¿ Ring¡­ Ring. Click. Seo Hoyun called out ¡°kindly¡± to the other person. ¡°Jiwon.¡± The sweet times with Seong Jiwon shed past Seo Hoyun¡¯s side in clumsy CG. Tapping the tangled phone cord messily, he paused and made a bitter face. ¡°How does love change?¡± An awkward chuckle came through the receiver. ¡¾The original betrayal. Seong Jiwon betrayed everyone.¡¿ . . . This was the truth behind The Dawn¡¯s Five incident, where a total of six betrayals urred. A few days before filming began, the production team pulled Seong Jiwon aside and assigned him the role of the traitor. ¡°Haha, alright! I¡¯ll do my best.¡± ¡¾Traitor Seong Jiwon secured!¡¿ With an angelic face, Seong Jiwon enthusiastically embraced the role and carried it out even more impressively than the staff had anticipated. From subtly hinting that Kang Ichae might be the traitor to intentionally drawing Seo Hoyun¡¯s attention by mentioning how delicious the hot dog looked¡ªeven leading him to a caf¨¦ where fans would surround them. [Holy fuck, there¡¯s a reason they filmed ¡®We Got Married¡¯] [It wasn¡¯t Seo Hoyun dragging out the time, it was Seong Jiwon¡­] Despite the dys and distractions, Seo Hoyun only nodded. After all, he didn¡¯t need to act. He had already set traps for Kim Seonghyeon and Kang Ichae. As long as they moved busily and self-destructed, he just had to take what he needed and make a single call. It was an incredibly easy task. ¡°¡­Oh, this is a bit troublesome.¡± Unaware of the situation, Seong Jiwon was bewildered that Seo Hoyun followed him so readily. He hadn¡¯t intended to be this much of a hindrance. On one hand, he felt like he was getting caught up in Seo Hoyun¡¯s pace. ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯ll y poker to figure out the treasure¡¯s location.¡± ¡°Alright, then I¡¯ll go act.¡± Eventually, Seong Jiwon, after sipping his iced Americano and pondering, decided to find someone a little more approachable than Seo Hoyun. Of course, even after that, Seo Hoyun continued to sip his drink at the caf¨¦. [???????????????????????Seo Hoyun, this heavy-ass guy¡­. Did he even move besides hanging out with Seong Jiwon?] [But honestly, he¡¯s really smart???????????] All he did was stare nkly outside, asionally check his phone, or engage in brief chats with the staff. Then, after checking the time on his phone, Seo Hoyun slowly stood up. The hint of the traitor was obtained through Kim Seonghyeon. The mission code was conveyed through Kang Ichae, who, in turn, obtained it from Jeong Dajun. Finally, the locker number was provided by an overconfident Kang Ichae. He had gathered all the information. Now, all that was left was to head to the payphone. The reason Kang Ichae failed is clear. In truth, unbeknownst to everyone, this game had been quite advantageous for Seo Hoyun from the start. Kim Seonghyeon wouldn¡¯t be able to act! That strong belief was deeply rooted in The Dawn. But when Sep Hoyun checked Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s stats towards the end of Shining Star Season 2, he was very surprised. [Kim Seonghyeon Acting E ¡ú D] Kim Seonghyeon had made remarkable progress in acting, albeit with a heavy dose of exaggeration. Still, it¡¯s usable at this level? This was something only Seo Hoyun knew. A short interview with Seo Hoyun was included this time. ¡¾Q. How did you set up such a n?¡¿ ¨C ¡°If you have just two very certain facts, it¡¯s not difficult at all.¡± Seo Hoyun propped his chin and curved his eyes into a smile. ¨C ¡°Kang Ichae will never trust me. And everyone thinks it¡¯ll be obvious if Kim Seonghyeon starts acting.¡± The more Kang Ichae distrusted and doubted him, the closer Seo Hoyun got to victory. Opening the bag with the password Seong Jiwon provided, Seo Hoyun took out a jewel, kissed it, and grinned. ¡°Of course.¡± ¡¾Seo Hoyun WINNER¡¿ And so, Seo Hoyun naturally imed victory. *** Kim Seonghyeon, Jeong Dajun, Kang Ichae, and Seong Jiwon stood in front of the tvK broadcasting station. The three, excluding Seong Jiwon, were busy ring at each other and making a ruckus. Bam~~ baram bam bam! At that moment, the most famous OST from the movie Crime X¡¯s suddenly started ying.[1] And from afar, Seo Hoyun, who was squatting on a child¡¯s electric car G-Bar X, drove up to the group, even managing to drift a little. Vroooom¡ª. Screeeech. Despite the car looking too small for him, Seo Hoyun parked skillfully in front of the main camera and lowered his sunsses with a wink. ¡°Macau Seo, reporting.¡± [?????????????????Crazy bastard, why are you riding that for real????????????] [Wow, that¡¯s slick, you fuck?????????] ¡°Woohoo~~!!¡± ¡°Traitor, traitor!!¡± ¡°Why were you just lounging around like an amateur?¡± He tossed back the words he heard from Kang Ichae and approached his only ally, Kim Seonghyeon, slinging an arm around his shoulder. ¡°Thank you for your help, Kim Seonghyeon.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ It¡¯s¡­ a relief I could help.¡± ¡°I should reward you.¡± Seo Hoyun rummaged through the inside pocket of his jacket as if he was going to give something real. Kim Seonghyeon watched with a reluctant gaze, not expecting much. [Is he going to give money???] But Seo Hoyun instead pulled out a finger heart. ¡°Oh, and this too.¡± ¡°¡­!!¡± ¡°Thank you very much~.¡± [??????????????????????????????] [Wow, Seonghyeon looks disgusted, but Hoyun doesn¡¯t care at all??????] Kim Seonghyeon¡¯s expression soured even further after receiving a wink. He hadn¡¯t been expecting money, but witnessing something utterly useless and eye-rolling wasn¡¯t what he had in mind either. As Kim Seonghyeon pretended to poke his own eyes and screamed, Seo Hoyun untied the briefcase that was attached to the back of the child¡¯s electric car. He handed over the bag filled with jewels and gold bars to the staff and swapped it for a bag filled with the prize money. [Looks like Seo Hoyun is having too much fun teasing Kim Seonghyeon¡­ What¡¯s Seonghyeon going to do¡­] It was true; he was enjoying it. Jeong Dajun whined with a pout. ¡°What do we do about that personality of his??¡± ¡°Our Dajun, you¡¯re too young to understand. Personality originallyes from the wallet.¡± As if to say, ¡°Look how generous I am,¡± Seo Hoyun opened the bag and waved a handful of cash bundles. ¡°I may not have style, but I sure have money.¡± [???????????????????????????????????????] [Oh ????????????? isn¡¯t that line the opposite????????] Just like Seong Jiwon did in the opening, Seo Hoyun slightly lowered his sunsses andughed. Simultaneously, the ending credits of The Dawn¡¯s Five rolled. Photographs of the production crew who participated in the shooting appeared along with their briefments. ¡¾It was a project designed for them to band together and fight against the traitor¡­ but they ended up betraying each other in a rather amicable way.¡¿ ¡¾It made me realize once again how amazing The Dawn is¡­ Watching them tear each other apart like hyenas was truly heartwarming.^^¡¿ Finally, on the darkened screen, the phrase ¡°Winner: The Great Seo Hoyun¡± was stamped, topped with an angel mark. ¡¾However, Mr. Seo Hoyun was truly a good person. (This statement is not being made just because he treated the entire staff to an expensive lunch course with the prize money.)¡¿ That¡¯s exactly why it was being said. ¡¾The Dawn is an angel, and we will always support them forever. (This statement is not being made just because a coffee truck was sent to us while editing today.) Wishing you sess. ¨C The Staff¡¿ The broadcast ended with The Dawn¡¯s ¡°Stardust¡± song ying. Despite being filled with suspicion towards each other and engaging in a chain of betrayals, The Dawn managed to maintain their title as angels. Moreover, thanks to this reality show, Seo Hoyun sessfully shed his previous image. No longerbeled as ¡°without parents¡± or ¡°victim of a tragic ident,¡± he emerged as a sharp-minded, quick-witted guy. Officially, he became known as a great guy, an extraordinary guy, a guy obsessed with victory. [Seo Hoyun, our tiny, precious crazy angel¡­] It was a necessity for the group in the long term, something everyone was already aware of¡­ The members of the Noeuls justughed it off. [Where in the world would you find angels who betray each other five or six times¡­] They decided to overlook the minor details. [1]The Ouws (2017) Chapter 184 Chapter 184 [The Emergence of a New Buzz, The Dawn¡¯s Variety Show Universe] [OTT service dominates real-time popr videos¡­ Generation MZ Idols¡¯ ¡°turnaround¡±] [The Dawn, Proving to be a Legend in Variety Shows, Receives Love Calls from the Industry] Since it was made with the support of tvK, a lot of capital was invested, and the response was overwhelming from the start, likely due to its meticulous crafting. [Youe for the face, but get hooked on the personality¡­ No, you get hooked on the face again¡­] [Do these people not have a tomorrow?? ©¸Well, it¡¯s a smallpany, so they¡¯ve been living like there¡¯s no tomorrow¡­] [The Daepaseong nning team is doing a heck of a job¡­©¸The deputy is said to be really good at their job?? It¡¯s quite well-known in the industry ©¸©¸Huh? ©¸©¸©¸Heard it from an acquaintance, just a rumor ©¸©¸Rumor confirmed] Videos from The Dawn¡¯s variety show climbed the ranks of real-time trending videos. It was possible because The Dawn¡¯s variety sense captured the tastes of even ordinary people. Moreover, Seo Hoyun¡¯s image as a ¡°pitiful and unfortunate idol¡± disappeared¡ªfor anyone who watched the show. [This guy is seriously crazy¡­] [?????????Honestly, he¡¯s amazing!! Perfectly optimized for variety shows] Even though Noeul didn¡¯t actually think that way, they understood it was an exaggerated expression. As the Noeuls read thements and tweets, they couldn¡¯t help but smile warmly as they saw the character analysis that finally hit the mark. Meanwhile, The Dawn was having hectic days. With their increased recognition, they could finally afford to be a bit more selective with their work, but still, they couldn¡¯t escape the reality that they had to row while the tide was in. They hadn¡¯t even properly started preparing for theireback, and with the concert just around the corner, they were busy enough just reviewing the flood of advertising proposals with their limited time. Amidst all this, confirmed news articles were swiftly released, barely hours after being finalized. [Ahhh ???? This is seriously amazing¡­ I¡¯m so moved I can¡¯t even speak¡­?] [That¡¯s insane,, The Dawn is really making it, I said it as a habit but it¡¯s actually happening, kyaa~~!!!!! Guys, make lots of money~~????!!!] ¡°Good job, everyone¡­.¡± The concert was in two weeks. Their first one, at that. The members, eager to present a perfect stage without a single speck of w and as if possessed by it, squeezed in practice time despite their already packed schedules. As a result, they only returned to their dorms by dawn. ¡°What time are we supposed to wake up tomorrow?¡± ¡°Six o¡¯clock¡­¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Still, it seemed they were managing as there were noints yet. ¡°Hoyun, are you going to sleep right away?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± It felt almost no different from when I was a PD. As expected, I couldn¡¯t keep up with the young ones. After washing up, I copsed onto the bed, but in the corner of my eye, I saw the minimized system window flickering. ¡°Hmm?¡± Seo Jiwon, who was drying his hair and getting ready for bed, looked at me. ¡°Hoyun, what¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Ah, I¡¯m just thirsty.¡± I answered that way and made a pretense of heading to the kitchen but walked towards the balcony. Just in case, I locked the window door as well. Sitting on a chair, in the quiet as everyone had gone to bed, I cautiously expanded the system window. [Processing¡ª¡­] [¡ª¡ªError processingplete] The damn thing seemed like it was finally trying to work again. [¡­System updating¡­] [System update 35%¡­] [System update 47%¡­] [System update 63%¡­] But before I could do anything, it disyed the update process and went silent again. You little brat, taking your sweet time. . . . [System update 85%¡­] [System update 93%¡­] [System update 99%¡­] [Checking system¡­] [¡­¡ªSystem rebooting.] Curious to see how far it would go, I passed the time scrolling through online reactions on my phone. Finally, a window popped up saying the update wasplete. [Reward Settlement Experience Event, Time is Gold. When practicing with people around you, proficiency in designated stats increases slightly faster. ¡ùNo limit on target individuals. ¡ùStat increase applies to one specified individual excluding the yer. ¡ùCharm is excluded from the specified stat. ¡ùDuration is 168 hours from the set start date. ¡ùRewards are forcibly granted.] ¡°¡­?¡± The stiff informalnguage was puzzlingpared to previous quests or settlement windows, but reading through it, the reward wasn¡¯t as bad as I thought, so I stroked my chin. There were plenty of talented ones around me. I thought it would spit out some trashy reward because it was making a fuss about an error due to me leaking some secrets¡ª [¡ùProficiency increase by 5%.] ¡ªbut my face crumpled after reading thest line. ¡°Are you out of your mind??¡± Where the heck can I use such a measly amount? I swallowed the surge of anger that reached the top of my head with a sigh and pressed my forehead. ¡°Hey,e out quickly.¡± Since it was supposedly rebooted, the system window must have returned as well. Even after my words, there was a long silence before it appeared,den with noise. [¡­Hehe.] It was being uncharacteristically coy. [Seo Hoyun, have you been well?] Looking back, I realized I should have pressured this brat more when I firstnded here. But I didn¡¯t want to waste time dwelling on what couldn¡¯t be changed now. So, I reced all the things I wanted to say with just one sentence. ¡°I was doing fine, but you made it hard.¡± [Haha¡­] ¡°By the way, why is the reward so trashy? What? 5%?¡± [Ugh, let me exin a bit about the reward first.] The text flickered as if hesitating, then slowly continued. [It¡¯s hard to say in detail¡­, but since Seo Hoyun leaked some confidential information, the situation got tangled.] It was true that I leaked some information. Before facing any penalties like this, I thought it would be wise to know the potential oues ahead of time. So, I chose something that would cause the least damage if it did leak out. I also figured it would be a good means to experiment and tackle the problem at hand. Anyway, I had no idea which secret would spread, but, nheless, Ipleted the quest. [As a result, the penalty ovepped with the reward¡­ No, forget it. Anyway, I secured the best conditions I could.] ¡°Ha, unbelievable. Are you serious?¡± With all the pent-up anger, I sarcastically shot back. Initially, the system window seemed a bit apologetic, butter it snapped back. [I know it¡¯s inevitable to feel angry and annoyed! But I have a lot to say too! Who told you to spread it around?!] ¡°Hey, then why don¡¯t you tell me what other options I had?¡± Was I supposed to just let the penalty for leaking ssified information slide? What else could I have done in that situation? [The penalty is something I ¡õ£¤?¡õ know ¡õ? Ah¡­.] The system window tried to exin, but its words broke and shattered. Watching it fizzle out without showing any more text, I realized something. Even though it imed to be on my side, I always felt it was contradictory when harsh penalties were imposed. I had suspected it was either deceiving me or hiding something¡ªor it could just be powerless. [¡õ Anyway¡­ I didn¡¯t wish for this ¡õ£¤ ¡õ happen.] As I kept my mouth shut, the system window reappeared. Although the text was still slightly garbled, it wasn¡¯t unreadable like before. [Seo Hoyun, I know you won¡¯t care much for such excuses¡­] ¡°What¡¯s with the sudden change?¡± By the time I said that, fatigue hit me like a wave. I didn¡¯t want to talk anymore, so I waved my hand dismissively, and a new window popped up in front of me. [¡­Are you okay?] Why are there so many people asking if I was ¡°okay¡±? I looked at it with a mix of disbelief and curiosity at its sudden behavior. ¡°Why? If I¡¯m struggling, are you going to offer me a warm hug or something?¡± [No, I don¡¯t want to, and I can¡¯t do it anyway.] ¡°I don¡¯t want it either, you fool.¡± I chuckled slightly, but then I had to stop when I saw the next system message. [Instead, I can erase your memory.] ¡°¡­What?¡± Thinking I misread it, I squinted and read the text repeatedly. But the content didn¡¯t change. Even though I had constantly been aware of the absurd items dropping into my hands and affecting me in reality, hearing directly that my mind could be altered once again reminded me that this ce was strange and unfamiliar. [Erasing everyone¡¯s memory is beyond my ability, but I can erase the memory of your car ident, Seo Hoyun.] The words resumed after a brief pause, as if waiting for me to process my feelings. ¡°What do you mean?¡± [There are aftereffects, right? Since it¡¯s mostly psychological, I¡¯ll erase the specifics of what happened at the time, what you felt, although you¡¯ll still know the ident urred.] Recently, I had been feeling more stable. I was also in more contact with Seo Hojin. Yet, at night, it often resurfaced. Like an uninvited guest appearing without warning. ¡°¡­So, you¡¯ve known all along but didn¡¯t say anything?¡± Knowing my condition meant it must have been watching me all along. [I could only observe. I couldn¡¯t intervene.] Ignoring the incessant chatter from the system, I pondered for a moment. This seemed more like a rewardpared to the 5% proficiency increase. Certainly, if erasing the memories of the ident could relieve me from insomnia or pain without the need for therapy, it might be worth considering. After all, my current state is ultimately derived from my memories. ¡°Should I give it a try?¡± The system window, seemingly caught off guard by my unexpected reply, flickered more brightly than usual. [Yes!!!! Great decision! Let¡¯s erase the memory of the ident then!!] ¡°No. Not that, you idiot.¡± [What?] ¡°Leave the ident alone¡ª¡± Just recalling that event made my ears feel slightly hot. ¡°¡ªbut erase the memory of me acting like a baby bunny in front of Kim Heeyeon.¡± [¡­Really?] ¡°Yeah.¡± [¡­] [¡­] [¡­] [¡­] [¡­] [What the.] I meant it sincerely, but the system window vanished after leaving just that one remark. ¡°Hey, are you sulking? Hey, hey!¡± No matter how many times I called out, only the dark sky filled my view. I clicked my tongue softly and sank back into the chair. What memory am I even thinking of erasing? It was all for me to handle. Besides, if my body was exhausted, unnecessary thoughts wouldn¡¯t invade my mind. With various schedules and concert preparation ovepping, I was busy enough. Once I tire myself out, sleep woulde naturally. ¡°There¡¯s a long way to go.¡± It might seem quick to some, but for me, this was just the first concert. I wasn¡¯t expecting to reach the level of ck Call nor did I intend topete with them, but¡­ ¡°¡­Should I extend practice time tomorrow?¡± Hoping for The Dawn to grow evenrger, that was all I could do at the moment. Running my fingers through my hair, I got up from the chair and headed to my room. Meanwhile, I was considering how to best use the rewards. There were plenty of resources around me¡­ Just as I opened the door, I made eye contact with my new roommate, who fitted the description perfectly. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re back?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± With barely three hours left until six in the morning, Seong Jiwon was still awake, reading a book. Might as well get some sleep. Fearing I¡¯d end up with a nosebleed over nothing butck of sleep, I set an rm on my phone. Then, ncing sideways, I asked Seong Jiwon. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you asleep yet? We have to get up early tomorrow. Are you already nervous?¡± The memory of our first showcase, which felt quite distant, came to mind. Seong Jiwon had been very anxious back then. He replied with his usual calm demeanor. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m nervous. It¡¯s our first concert.¡± Then he closed his book andughed. ¡°But are we really not going to include the parachute thing? It seems like the fans are expecting it.¡± ¡°¡­Let¡¯s save that forter.¡± Kang Ichae was indeed good at wasting talent. Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye, and the first day of the concert arrived. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!