Chapter 220: The Rowdy Sports Day (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 220: The Rowdy Sports Day (1)
Is there anything as simple yet nerve-wracking as gift wrapping?
You can’t miss a single component, you have to consider the order of items so the bag looks right when tied, and you even have to make sure the ribbon faces forward.
It’s nothing but tedious work, but I happened to be quite the expert at it. When you work at a place like Hanpyeong Industry, you end up doing a lot of gift wrapping—mostly for pathetic company event prizes or running errands for others.
The most horrific part of this kind of simple labor is that it’s boring, yet there’s no end in sight. The only reason I had any motivation this time was that these were for the fans; otherwise, I would’ve been staring with dead fish eyes while peeling off OPP film.
Since the cookies had already been portioned out, all that was left was to pack the snacks, six printed letters, a hot pack in case it got cold, a cooling towel in case it got hot, some jelly for a sugar boost… and so on.
Once Park Ju-woo brought over the letters he’d finished cutting, the packaging challenge began in earnest.
“Aren’t these bags way too easy to rip?”
Before he’d even finished one, Choi Je-ho had already torn three bags, grumbling his complaints.
“I told you they’re biodegradable, so they rip easily. Could you please pay a little more attention?”
“Even so, they rip way too fast.”
“Everyone except you is doing just fine.”
Just as I said, everyone else was focused on producing the snack bundles, using the sample I’d made as a guide.
Park Ju-woo, in particular, was like a machine. His concentration was truly impressive. To assist him with the ribbons—which he struggled with—Jeong Seong-bin paired up with him to create a division of labor.
As Jeong Seong-bin tied ribbons onto the bags Park Ju-woo had secured with twist ties, he murmured, “Doing this brings back memories.”
“Memories?”
Did you do part-time gift-wrapping work too? Did you get paid? Because I didn't.
Jeong Seong-bin continued without pausing his hands.
“It was back in elementary school. My younger brother saw a photo in an album of our older cousins wearing something called candy necklaces.”
“Oh, those existed. Even back when my sister was in school, everyone wore one of those for school plays,” Choi Je-ho chimed in. Lee Cheong-hyeon’s eyes went wide.
“Really? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
“They were mostly gone by our time. Anyway, Jeong Seong-jun saw that and decided he had to have one too… so he broke open the piggy bank where he’d been saving his New Year’s money and bought a massive bag of candy.”
“He broke the piggy bank? With what?”
“We were young back then, so our parents had hidden all the utility knives. Since he didn't have any tools, he poked a hole with a chopstick, hooked the hole on the corner of a desk, and pulled down.”
Jeong Seong-bin shook his head as if he were still appalled. Lee Cheong-hyeon burst out laughing.
“He came back carrying a bag of candy as big as his own body. Back then, we didn't understand the concept of a refund, so I couldn't even tell him to take it back. Our parents were both working, so they were going to be home late.”
“So what did you do?”
As the story got interesting, Kang Gi-yeon’s hands slowed down while packing snacks.
“What else could I do? He was the type of kid who would’ve glued all the candy together if I didn't make the necklace, so I taped them together for him. Usually, you’re supposed to tie them with string.”
“Wow, you actually made it for him?”
“If you’d seen Jeong Seong-jun unwrapping candies to put glue on them, you would’ve had no choice but to make it too, Cheong-hyeon.”
Jeong Seong-bin sighed. Being the eldest is tough.
Seeing Jeong Seong-bin look suddenly exhausted, Lee Cheong-hyeon wiped away a stray tear from laughing.
“Sometimes when I hear stories about Seong-jun Hyung, I realize even twins can be so different.”
“It sounds like Seong-jun has a lot of anecdotes.”
“Tons. If Seong-jun Hyung had become a MeTuber, he’d be famous by now.”
“Don’t even breathe a word of that. He might actually try to do it,” Jeong Seong-bin said, horrified, stopping Lee Cheong-hyeon.
“That’s all well and good, but pay attention to the letters. It’ll be a disaster if one person gets two of the same letter.”
No sooner had I spoken than Choi Je-ho pulled a duplicate letter out of a bag. These guys really were a handful.
Even during their short training camp, Spark had grown stronger. We’d worked them so hard people were asking if this was the National Training Center. We’d even spent hours piping thick butter cookie dough.
As a result of carving out muscle and doing nothing but exercising, the members of Spark—who were already built like door-slabs—now had an image that was even more… difficult to approach.
But what kind of group was Spark? They were idols who were dedicated to their craft, kind to their fans, and diligent about their self-PR anytime, anywhere.
“Hyung, are we really going out like this?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon asked in a worried voice. The official Spark slogan wrapped neatly around his neck suited him perfectly.
“Of course. Did you put on sunscreen?”
“We’re indoors. Isn’t that a bit much?”
“How many times do I have to tell you that skin can tan even under indoor lighting?”
At my words, Choi Je-ho grimaced and walked away. For the record, I had issued a strict order that Choi Je-ho was not allowed to wear his zip-up jacket today, except during the opening ceremony, the oath, and the closing ceremony. I told him to tie it around his waist like a classic.
I also didn't forget to fold up their sleeves. I’d put some thought into showing off their forearms directly to the Sparklers.
“Why do I have to go like this, of all things?”
Kang Gi-yeon asked, having draped his slogan over his head like a bonnet, looking like Little Red Riding Hood.
“It’s cuter that way.”
“…….”
“Since my contact names for you guys were leaked anyway, I decided it would be better to just solidify everyone’s image according to those names.”
If Kang Gi-yeon didn't look cute, then I, who saved him as ‘King Cute Kang Gi-yeon,’ would look like the weird one.
But what if Kang Gi-yeon actually looked cute? Then people would just think, ‘Oh, it’s a fact!’ and move on. This was all a high-level strategy.
I put a headband on Park Ju-woo so his hair wouldn't get in the way when he shot his arrows. In archery, at least, this guy was our team’s light and hope.
Ignoring my sincerity, Park Ju-woo glanced at the others and grumbled.
“Don’t I get a slogan…?”
“If you get first place in archery, I’ll wrap them around your arms and your legs too.”
At my promise, Park Ju-woo nodded and went back to his spot.
“Did everyone pack touch-up makeup in your pockets? Did you write your shade numbers on the labels?”
“Yes~.”
I also made sure to pack a small container of shade 17 foundation in my pocket, along with a lightly tinted lip balm. Preparation was perfect.
“Alright, let’s go take care of our beauty.”
“Beauty…?”
“Just do as I say.”
Though they didn't understand the deeper meaning, the boys followed behind me.
It was time to show the results of the training camp.
Won Chae-hee took a day off today. Was it because she didn't have to go to work? Even though she’d woken up at the crack of dawn, she didn't feel tired or feel like swearing. Thanks to that, she happily hopped between express buses and taxis, arriving at a familiar gymnasium for the first time in years.
The area near the gym was a sea of people, filled with production staff controlling entry and countless fans. The last time she’d come to this gym to watch the Idol Unity Sports Day, Won Chae-hee had sworn she would never do this again as long as she lived. But humans are destined to repeat the same mistakes. Just like this.
From the time she entered the gym and sat down to wait for the opening ceremony, it felt like half a year had passed. She felt like she was going to grow old and die in her seat. The reality that being a fan required physical stamina was cruel.
‘I wonder what the boys are doing.’
Won Chae-hee scanned the appearance list. Archery, futsal, basketball, vault, short-distance sprint, relay…
‘Are they seriously participating in every single event?’
Won Chae-hee doubted her eyes. However, Spark’s name was indeed listed everywhere. She wondered if they were being dumped with all the work because they were rookies.
Just then, a shout rang out: “We will begin filming in five minutes!” Immediately after, a joyful scream erupted from one side of the gym. Yur had appeared at the MC desk holding a script. It seemed Yur was the MC again this year.
Joining him as commentators were a retired athlete who appeared frequently on broadcasts and Ha Seo-myeong, an actor who used to be an idol.
The first to enter were the groups from MYTH. The Idol Unity Sports Day had a tradition of grouping teams by agency, and since MYTH had so many idols, everyone from that agency formed one team. The fact that all their groups had many members also played a part.
What was surprising was that Polo from Hellas was participating in the Idol Unity Sports Day solo.
Even if he was representing his team, idols with as much seniority as Hellas usually didn't appear on programs that were this physically taxing. Even Yur was only there as an MC; he wasn't about to go out and exercise by choice.
However, Polo looked cheerful.
“I know all these faces, so I can have fun even without my members. Yur Hyung, watch me!”
It was a comment that showed his experience. From the MC desk, Yur laughed loudly and waved.
Even when Team C came out, Spark was nowhere to be seen. They were likely going to be lumped together with groups from unknown agencies. Seriously, that small-time agency was useless.
Just as the Sparklers were anxiously waiting for their boys to appear, the welcome announcement came that the final team was being introduced. Following that, idols wearing pitch-black athletic gear began emerging from the gym entrance.
Are they kidding? Teams A, B, and C are all wearing training suits in Vantone’s Color of the Year, and they’re sending Team D into a charcoal kiln? Do they want the viewers' message board to catch fire again with favoritism controversies?
Won Chae-hee was indignant. Every Sparkler gathered there likely felt the same.
However, the Sparklers’ anger didn't last long.
Because of the insane physiques of their boys, who were walking at the very end of the line as the newest of the rookies.
“Spark’s physique is insane.”
Someone in the next seat murmured. Won Chae-hee agreed.
Even when Spark was just among themselves, you could tell their proportions were great. Even standing next to Choi Je-ho, who was famous for being the human embodiment of the golden ratio, there were height differences, but not a single member looked like they had bad proportions.
And it wasn't just their proportions. Spark maintained their idol dignity even next to Lee Cheong-hyeon, who possessed a national treasure-level face.
Those members of Spark were now standing in the middle of a massive gymnasium crowded with people. It meant it was impossible for them not to stand out.
Their heights were overwhelmingly tall even among other male idols, their features were sharp enough to be enjoyed from the second-floor seats without squinting, and their sturdy builds were visible even through the black training suits.
‘Men really do look best in all-black.’
Won Chae-hee decided not to throw fuel on the fire of the viewers' message board. Instead, she paid her respects to the aesthetic sense of the Idol Unity Sports Day production team.