Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: Showcase
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Chasing after celebrities to make a living, yet picking up pointless grudges on their own—I just don’t get it. Anyone would think I’d stabbed them in the back.
‘Friends Entertainment doesn’t seem like the type to do anything journalists couldn’t handle. The Pig President’s pretty capable in this area, isn’t he?’
So why the fuss?
‘Maybe because we’re not giving them what they want to see.’
Oh dear. What to do.
‘I’m never going to show it to them in my lifetime….’
Sorry about that, esteemed members of the press.
Regardless of my thoughts, the host continued with the program.
“Alright, let’s start by watching the music video.”
The staff gestured for us to take the seats at the back. The members sat quietly in their assigned spots, eyes fixed on the screen.
‘There was more filming than I expected.’
I thought the studio shoots were done, but then outdoor filming got scheduled out of nowhere. When I asked why, Executive Director Joo had shouted that they needed additional scenes in the middle of the video.
‘Do a good job. It’s expensive. I needed… a lot of courage? Zenith, don’t forget. You’re our hope!’
Oh boy.
Well, thanks to that, even I had no idea what the story was. The sudden addition meant we filmed separately by member.
‘But don’t they usually stick to the storyboard?’
Is it okay to change it this drastically?
The host announced.
“Alright, the music video is starting.”
I focused on the screen.
Soon, the music began to flow. It started with unfamiliar traditional music, then a snow-covered palace came into view all at once.
‘It’s so white.’
Soon, I appeared on the porch in elegant hanbok. I reached out to the falling snow, then closed my eyes as memories of the past surfaced.
The screen cut immediately to Yu Miho. As she danced, people in tall ceremonial hats bowed deeply.
‘A rain ritual.’
Yu Miho filmed that scene too.
‘Wait, wasn’t she originally a shaman?’
The story had changed a ton.
Regardless of my thoughts, on-screen me entered and gazed at the miniature garden. Everything in the tiny model garden was parched and dry.
Just as I was about to cut my hand, Kang Minje entered.
On-screen, I hurriedly hid the dagger. Kang Minje brought a Go board, and we played a game.
After that, it was straightforward.
Ki Jaeyun arrived and did flips on the porch, Lee Seungjun performed a sword dance. Finally, Yoo Hajin came and we admired a painting together.
It was already the second chorus of Chunhyang. By now, people would be curious.
‘What’s the identity of the boy on screen?’
K-pop music videos always had a twist.
Once the guests had left one by one, I looked at the miniature garden again. I closed my eyes and made a pained expression.
A fleeting scene passed of on-screen me and Yu Miho holding hands and laughing. A hint that we were lovers in the past.
Back in the room, I gave a bitter smile, then finally slashed my hand while gazing at the miniature garden. I collapsed onto the table like someone drained of all energy.
Red droplets fell, and the screen changed again. Yu Miho stood in the rain, looking up at the sky.
‘This implies I’m a god who can make it rain.’
It was also proof that the members who came to visit me were gods too.
As the song neared its end, the palace reappeared. But the snow-covered palace was now dilapidated and filthy. Moreover, the doors were sealed with black and red lines, blocking entry.
The screen pulled away from the palace bit by bit as my voice narrated.
-The spring without you has no fragrance.
Even after a thousand years, even after ten thousand, how could I stop this longing? My love.
The music video ended. It left an incredible aftertaste.
I barely held back a laugh.
Wow.
‘Executive Director Joo really shelled out the cash.’
It felt like watching a movie. The costumes, the locations—everything was incredibly high-end and stylish. It had a historical drama vibe, but it wasn’t for domestic audiences.
‘It’s for overseas.’
Anyone watching would be hooked instantly.
‘Who is the boy?’
‘Were they lovers?’
‘Why is the boy imprisoned?’
And that wasn’t all. The music was outstanding too. Whatever magic Kang Minje worked, the blend of traditional Korean music and modern sounds was perfect.
‘From East Asia nearby to North America far away.’
I grinned. Not bad at all. I loved it.
Just one question.
‘There are way too many cut scenes?’
What are they planning to do with those?
Lost in thought, a staff member rushed over.
“Zenith members, please prepare for the stage.”
I stood up immediately. Maybe because the video was so good—my blood was pumping.
I whispered to the members.
“Let’s do great.”
I felt their gazes. What, did they think I couldn’t?
“I think we can win.”
Yoo Hajin chuckled and grabbed my shoulder.
“Yeah. If you say so, then it must be.”
What kind of faith is that?
I couldn’t help but grin.
‘I have this bad habit of rewarding faith, you know.’
I answer bad things thoroughly, and good things? Of course I respond in kind.
A brief silence fell.
I took the stage. I closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them. The showcase stage wasn’t that big. The lighting was relatively crude, and there were no backup dancers.
But this was a stage. Trashy journalists or not, they were still an audience.
The music started. Ki Jaeyun moved first, fluidly. I could feel admiring stares.
Honestly, it was a tough dance to learn. Flexible movements for a guy.
‘But we can do it.’
We do it because we can.
Waves rippled through my arms, knees bending and straightening. I stepped forward first, unfurling my fan and spinning it gracefully.
After a slight turn, I flashed a bright smile. Meeting eyes with a few reporters made it even better.
-Following the scent of spring
I kicked a leg back, then shifted my center forward. My upper body twisted nonstop.
It was based on traditional music, but Chunhyang wasn’t static. When the rhythm slowed, we had to move even more.
At least that was a relief.
‘The choreography’s tough, but this is lip-sync.’
No need to pull off the tricky techniques from recording. I leaped into the air again, then descended.
‘This song’s rooted in Korean dance, after all.’
Did Teacher K learn Korean dance after going to America?
The reporters’ mouths hung slightly open. Smiling, I extended my arms.
-Vanishing in the white snow
Now the second chorus. True to K-pop, there was a point choreo. The members each held their fans. They snapped them open in unison, spun in a circle, then lowered them.
Thud-
I stood center again, locking eyes with the reporters.
‘Write good articles, please. Folks.’
Look how hard I’m dancing.
I loved the stage with all those gazes. Whether malicious or envious, it didn’t matter. I just wanted more eyes.
I glanced around the showcase hall.
‘I want a bigger place.’
More people. Louder cheers.
‘I want to meet the fans.’
Soon, I thought.
The music stopped.
I was a bit out of breath, but endings always felt bittersweet.
I wiped my sweat and stepped forward. Honestly, I didn’t need to see their reactions.
‘They’re stunned.’
Too bad, but they snapped out of it quickly. We stood and bowed.
“Hello. Zenith, to the top, for you. We are Zenith.”
Group greetings triggered flashes. Soon, staff brought chairs. We sat, checking our mics.
“Wow, that was a great stage. So handsome. All so pretty. Whew. Now, moving on to Q&A.”
We looked ahead. I smiled faintly.
‘Questions again.’
This has been nonstop lately.
I was used to these spots by chance, but the members probably weren’t.
‘Sure enough, they’re stiff.’
No need to be nervous.
“We’ll take questions. The one in red.”
“I’ll ask Kang Minje. I heard you produced Chunhyang overall. You know about the recent plagiarism scandals with idols’ self-composed songs, right? What do you think?”
Straight to the venom.
No worries.
‘Kang Minje’s a tough one too.’
Sure enough, he smiled slyly like a fox.
“Plagiarism is regrettable. Well, the person involved knows best. I know better than anyone that Chunhyang won’t face such accusations.”
He delivered the harsh words so smoothly.
‘I need to learn that.’
Maybe because he’s a journalist himself, it came off like he knew his stuff. The red-clad reporter’s face turned as red as his outfit.
‘Journalists are trash, like I said.’
What kind of article is he fishing for?
“Next, the one on the right.”
“To Leader Yoo Hajin. You’re doing educational broadcasts with Sunflower Friends, right? How many kids do you want if you get married?”
A few chuckles around. I forced a smile, but honestly, it was absurd.
‘Hajin hyung is twenty-one or twenty-two?’
Asking kids that age about family planning. As if they’d have any.
‘But saying none would make him look dumb.’
Yoo Hajin smiled faintly and replied softly.
“I’d like to discuss that with my future bride.”
Wow. Perfect answer.
Fans would love it.
‘Hajin hyung’s got skills.’
Questions kept coming. The host steered on.
“The one in the brown vest!”
“Yes. Question for Cha Dowon. You know Zenith is coming back at the same time as VIP, right? What do you think will happen?”
I quietly eyed the brown vest.
Tricky question.
‘What’s the intent?’
Say we’ll lose, and we’re losers.
Say we’ll win, and we’re cocky.
‘Our country’s Confucian, after all.’
Nobody likes juniors matching seniors.
I smiled brightly.
“We’ll break them.”
VIP, not Zenith.
‘They’ll see their fans turning away.’
I was looking forward to it.
‘VIP has member drama or not…’
If not, it starts now. If yes, it gets worse.
Grinning, I wrapped up.
“We’re prepared.”
Prepared to win.
“But I was looking forward to the comeback. As always, Zenith will give our all on every stage.”
Satisfied? No follow-up. The sharp questions soured the mood.
The host desperately chimed in.
“Ah, right. Great answer.”
Of course—silly questions deserve silly answers. All trash.
“Next question. The one in the black shirt?”
“Music magazine Encore, reporter Joo Jung-hyeok. Wanted to ask Kang Minje. I heard Chunhyang’s release almost got delayed.”
Oh boy.
“I heard it was because of Cha Dowon. How did you feel then, Kang Minje?”
Wow.
‘Practically chanting “fight!”’
Journalist or trash?
The host’s face paled visibly. Kang Minje glanced at me, then smiled softly.
“Doesn’t matter when it comes out.”
“Any thought of giving it to another group?”
Kang Minje kept smiling.
“This song is Zenith’s. No one but Zenith can do it.”
I was genuinely surprised.
‘That fox is impressive.’
Normally, he’d say he considered it. But he flatly said “Zenith’s song.”
‘Good answer.’
Saying he considered it would disappoint fans.
The host quickly pivoted.
“Yes, yes. Next question. The one with the brooch?”
“To Leader Yoo Hajin. I heard Zenith’s comeback was nearly delayed because of Cha Dowon. How did you feel?”
Oh boy.
‘Did the reporters coordinate?’
All questions like this. Leader hyung turned to me, eyes trembling badly.
‘Oh no. He’s flustered.’
I winked subtly.
‘Calm down, Leader hyung.’
Yoo Hajin swallowed, then sighed softly before answering.
“It was regrettable. Our maknae didn’t do anything wrong.”
Wow.
‘I need to cook something tasty for our leader hyung.’
Best answer.
My family issue was heating up, but time passed, and the public was regaining reason.
‘What would they want to hear then?’
I smiled brightly.
‘We’re idols.’