Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: So, Do You Have Any Complaints?
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The two of them looked at each other before shouting right away.
“Hey! If you could do that, you would’ve done it ages ago!”
“How can you cut Bitna’s part! We’re built around her!”
Oh boy. What now.
‘They want more screen time.’
No helping it, then.
I turned to Kang Minje.
“Minje hyung. Can you split some of my parts with them right now?”
The sly fox nodded with a puzzled expression.
“It’ll need some choreography tweaks, but sure. We haven’t recorded yet.”
“Then hand some of my parts over to them.”
I stared silently at the Sweet Kiss duo. Clearly caught off guard, they blinked in surprise.
“That work for you?”
“Uh, yeah?”
“Come here. We need to pick which parts.”
Yoo Hajin passed me the tablet PC. I hit play on the choreography guide video. They shuffled over hesitantly.
From behind, Ki Jaeyun muttered.
“Damn, he shut it down in one go.”
I turned around and locked eyes with the guy.
“What, you need a part too?”
“Nah, no. I’ve already got main dance.”
I turned to Yoo Hajin.
“Need one, Leader hyung?”
Hajin hyung shook his head at once.
“I’m good. Got plenty.”
The members were all pretty cooperative. The pair peering at the tablet each selected the parts they wanted.
Kang Minje, standing next to me, piped up.
“Not asking me?”
“You’ve got tons, hyung.”
“Harsh. Only cold to me.”
“Feeling neglected?”
Kang Minje grinned like a fox.
“A little?”
Damn it.
That was when Lee Seungjun—who’d been standing quietly in the back, completely forgotten—finally spoke up.
“Why didn’t you ask me?”
What’s his deal? You only do rap.
“Want to sing too, besides rap?”
Lee Seungjun shook his head.
“Nah, just... would’ve been nice if you asked.”
My brow furrowed on its own.
“You’ve been kinda cold lately. We share a room and all.”
I let out a sigh. What are we, some middle-aged couple going cold?
‘Ah, got it.’
Still, after bunking together for months, I knew the guy’s patterns.
“What’re you craving this time?”
His blank face broke into a huge smile.
“Rabokki.”
“Again?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll make some. Once I get a breather.”
Lee Seungjun nodded, satisfied, and stepped back.
‘Such a hassle.’
Maybe cooking for him that first time was my mistake. Now every little thing turns into a food request.
“Um...”
The Sweet Kiss duo spoke up.
“You two all set?”
“Uh, yeah. You guys really get along, huh.”
Get along? Where?
I furrowed my brow. How’d they land on that?
I was about to ask when Hajin hyung rested a hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah, we do. Anyway, all picked out? Which parts you taking?”
Zenith’s dove of peace had slithered right past the issue like a snake over a fence. Soon enough, Sweet Kiss and Hajin hyung were confirming the part splits.
‘Eh, if it’s good, it’s good.’
I shook my head, and Kang Minje chuckled from behind.
“We get along ’cause you always step up first, Dowon. Look, you’re sacrificing again.”
“Not a big deal.”
“If you hadn’t, they’d still be at each other’s throats.”
Lee Seungjun muttered.
“Sacrifice or not, you’re a pro at poking the right nerves.”
Ki Jaeyun chimed in.
“Plus, you solo tank and DPS.”
I asked politely.
“So, do you have any complaints?”
The members answered in unison.
“Nope.”
Ah, come on. Seriously.
Hajin hyung patted my shoulder a couple times before letting go. Finally, we could move on.
Kang Minje explained to the Sweet Kiss pair.
“You know our concept, right? Boys and girls adventuring the seas. Gotta show that fresh, lively energy.”
“Yeah. Costumes are sailor outfits.”
Got it. They knew the concept—just not the outfits.
Ki Jaeyun blurted out immediately.
“Hold up, sailor outfits mean we’re wearing shorts?”
Kang Minje shot back.
“Some of us, yeah.”
“Hell no! Ruins the vibe!”
“Seungjun’ll probably skip it. Guy’s built like a tank.”
I eyed Lee Seungjun’s shoulders. Fair point—those wouldn’t work.
‘Though army gear would suit him fine. Stylist noona’ll sort it.’
Ki Jaeyun suddenly yelled.
“Hey, Cha Dowon! Why you acting like it’s no biggie! If I gotta wear ’em, so do you!”
“Fine, whatever.”
The room went dead quiet all of a sudden. What? Why the vibe shift.
“You... seriously don’t care? Shorts!”
“No skin off my nose. Not like it’ll kill me. If it fits the concept, we wear it. Stage is what counts. Hell, bring me fishnets if they work best—I’ll rock ’em. We’re idols, aren’t we?”
Ki Jaeyun went mute, mouth clamped like he’d swallowed honey. The rest stared me down.
“What?”
Yoo Hajin scratched his nose, looking sheepish.
“Nah. Dowon’s the real pro. Shorts make me sweat just thinking.”
“Not like we’re stuck in ’em forever. One stage. Big whoop.”
“Haha. Yeah, you’re right. Time for some self-reflection.”
Leader hyung nodded.
“Enough yapping. Let’s practice. We’re already cutting it close.”
I closed the script and stood. As I stretched, I overheard the Sweet Kiss members chatting.
“Man, he’s ruthless.”
“That’s how you blow up, I guess. Impressive.”
“That really Cha Dowon? No wonder trendsetters stand out.”
One minute cursing and fighting, now thick as thieves.
‘Girl dynamics are a minefield.’
Not my circus, not my monkeys.
“Let’s run the guide ourselves first.”
I snapped into my spot. Music kicked in, and we started the steps.
In the mirror, the Sweet Kiss duo followed decently, thank goodness.
‘Not like they’ve totally ditched the stage.’
Just bloodthirsty for a standout moment.
‘Parts do matter.’
Fate of the game.
‘But do you really need a ton to get noticed?’
Eh, not necessarily.
‘Rookie can’t preach to seniors anyway.’
The Sweet Kiss pair threw themselves into the choreo. I tuned them out completely.
***
Teacher Kay clapped his hands.
“Break time!”
I caught my breath and chugged some water. Peaceful Hajin hyung handed bottles to the Sweet Kiss duo with a smile.
“Thank you.”
“Thanks.”
A few hours in, and they’d mellowed out a lot. I stretched while flipping the script back open.
Then, a thin voice piped up from behind.
“Um, Kang Minje-ssi? Got something to say about this track.”
“Sure. Name?”
“Hana. So, the lyrics ‘wide world~’—there’s autotune there. Think we should tweak it? I mocked something up on my phone. Wanna hear?”
Ah.
A snicker slipped out.
‘She’s got arrangement chops.’
Hana, right?
Their chat wrapped quick. I tossed my empty bottle and reopened the script—already halfway through.
The voice came again.
“Script again? You never stop.”
Didn’t know who, so I kept my head down.
“Cha Dowon. You ignoring me?”
A shadow fell over me. Oh, it was for me. I sighed and met her eyes.
“Something you need, sunbaenim?”
“Wow, straight cut-off. You’re an iron wall.”
“Nothing else? Back to it, then.”
“God, way too much. Guess that’s how you trash press conferences...”
What’s this now?
“I’ve never trashed one.”
Hana dabbed sweat with her towel.
“Figure of speech. You took on a horde of reporters solo.”
“Yeah.”
Happened once. Past tense.
“We had a bet going. Whether Cha Dowon cracks from that or not.”
“I see.”
“Most went with cracks. Career-ender for an idol.”
“Normally, yeah.”
Sadly, I’m not normal.
“What’d you put yours on?”
“No clue.”
“‘No crack’—cleaned everyone out!”
“Congrats.”
Good for her.
‘Zero interest, though.’
Tried the script again, but a Sweet Kiss member tugged my shirt.
“Um... some folks in my circle are grateful to you.”
Huh?
“Why?”
“One of ours has rough family stuff. Gets out, tanks the career. Makes it easier knowing someone clapped back hard.”
A chuckle escaped.
“Didn’t crash that presser for thanks.”
“I know. Still grateful. My family’s no picnic either. Makes me grind harder. Sigh.”
She gave an awkward smile.
“Look at me, mess that I am.”
Oh no. Self-roast?
“Hey, what’s your plan going forward?”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Sponsors skipped lawsuits, but offers dried up, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Trendsetter on pause—not scary?”
Oh.
‘Why probe like that?’
Friendly dig? Fine, I’ll play.
I met the Sweet Kiss member’s eyes.
“Nothing says it stays paused.”
I propped my chin casually and flashed a bright smile. Her cheeks tinted pink. Nailed it.
“Yeah, image is ‘press-rioter wild child.’ Comes off cocky, so ads ghosting.”
“Uh, what?”
“If you were sunbaenim in my shoes, what’d you do?”
“W-well? Never been there...”
I leaned in and whispered.
“I’m hunkering down, doing the work.”
Her eyes quivered faintly.
“Buzz is still hot. Eyes track me everywhere. Time to grind quiet—someone’ll call me steadfast and cute.”
That was the play.
I kept the smile.
“That day’s coming quick.”
If not, I’ll force it.
No ad offers since, true. Schedules and album prep still jammed. Movie dropping soon—then promo blitz.
‘Scripts pouring in too.’
Dramas still want me.
‘Messy spot.’
Company’s playing it safe. Best image? Exec broods daily.
“Y-yeah.”
“Thanks for the concern, sunbaenim.”
Pointless, but whatever.
“I got nosy. Meant to say thanks, dumped weird crap instead. Hey! Cha Dowon, right? That your real name?”
“Yeah.”
“Thanks for the parts. Uh, I’m Hana. Lee Hana, Sweet Kiss. Kinda flopping, y’know.”
“Yeah.”
“Sheesh. Anyway, thanks. Back to work!”
Lee Hana flashed an awkward grin and spun away fast. Finally over. I shook my head and cracked the script again. What a whirlwind.
Ki Jaeyun, next to me, said.
“You’re popular.”
“Yeah.”
“She seemed super thankful.”
“Yeah.”
“Lucky you. Killing it, plans lined up!”
I turned to Ki Jaeyun.
“Want thanks? Yield some parts. Me killing it’s baseline. Make your own plans.”
“Hey! Ain’t that simple! Thinks his shine means no worries for me.”
What’s today? Therapy hour?
“What’s eating you? You’ve got issues?”
“Duh! No fans—worried sick daily! Why!”
Oh.
I shrugged. Outta my hands.
“Sell yourself to the public. Play your strengths.”
“I do! Damn! Fans barely budging!”
“Switch it up, then.”
“Ain’t easy! Yo, Cha Dowon! One question!”
He grabbed my arm rough.
‘Pain in the ass.’
Got a grip now. Weird day—everyone yanking me around.
“What?”
“Least fans in Zenith. What’s the reason, you think?”
Flustered for a sec. Not the question—him asking.
‘Ki Jaeyun legit clueless?’
Nobody told him? Or blind to it?
“I gotta say it?”
“What? You know? Spill! I’m lost!”
Wasn’t me who answered.
“Face.”
Oh.
Hajin hyung slung an arm around Ki Jaeyun.
“Hyung! Face?!”
“Yeah. Face. News to you?”
“Nah, I lag behind members some, sure. But I ain’t ugly!”
“Not ugly.”
Not hot either.
“Beats average joe, sure.”
“Stack me against celebs? Just average—that’s the problem.”