Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Raising Ki Jaeyoon
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“hey, what do you mean I’m thick? I’m not some steak!”
I recalled Kang Minje’s body and clenched then unclenched my fist.
“Minje hyung felt skinny when I touched him. Lighter than I expected, too.”
“Well, yeah, compared to Minje. Wait, how do you even know that?”
“I picked him up and carried him.”
Leader hyung’s steps halted for a moment.
“Why?”
“Oh, they told me to.”
“Wh-who did?”
“The Stereo Star MCs.”
Yoo Hajin let out a sigh and started walking again.
“I thought it was something else.”
Why’s he acting like that? What was he thinking?
Just as I was about to ask, someone grabbed my shoulder hard. I glanced back to see the fox cub’s lips trembling.
“Am I that skinny and light?”
What’s his deal now?
“Yeah, Minje hyung. It felt like hugging a bird covered in fur.”
I scanned the fox cub up and down. Now that I looked, he did seem a bit slender.
Lost weight from composing, maybe. Not my problem.
“Y-yeah. I see. Got it.”
Kang Minje whispered ominously.
“I need to work out. Yeah, I should bulk up, too.”
“Hyung, you’re busy making songs.”
“But I can’t just live with Dowon saying that to me.”
Anyone would think I’d slandered him. I tilted my head, and Kang Minje muttered.
“I hate wearing shorts.”
Oh. So that’s it.
‘You wouldn’t have to if you didn’t go for that boyish concept in the first place.’
You do producing too, not just composing.
I almost said it but shut my mouth.
Well, exercise is good for him anyway. He’s kinda frail.
‘And I kinda wanna see him huffing and puffing, staggering around.’
I smiled brightly.
“Yeah. Work hard, hyung.”
Not my business. Around the fourth album, this guy bulked up huge and did a photoshoot. He’d just slimmed down a bit.
But opposition came from an unexpected place.
“Ah, Minje hyung. You’re gonna work out? No way.”
“Jaeyoon, why?”
“We’re the only members who don’t really exercise. What if you start? Stay as non-workout members with me.”
He’s got camaraderie over something weird.
At Ki Jaeyoon’s words, Kang Minje bit his lip hard. I turned away, holding back a laugh.
‘That’d feel like an insult to the fox cub.’
Kang Minje holds grudges. Good luck, Ki Jaeyoon. You’re done for. Won’t be long.
I headed to the waiting room in high spirits. My steps felt light.
***
I sat in the chair with a bright smile. Across from me, Executive Director Joo rested her chin on her hand, staring at me. I looked around. Zenith members, managers, Executive Director Joo, and PR staff were there.
I bowed politely first.
“Thank you for making time.”
The PR staff replied.
“No, you guys are the busy ones.”
“We’re fine.”
Nice people. I winked at Executive Director Joo. She shook her head with a sour expression, like she’d bitten into something bitter.
“The reason I called you here is for Zenith-exclusive content.”
I opened a video site on my smartphone. Our videos now had Japanese and Arabic comments.
“We’re short on content right now.”
Ki Jaeyoon said.
“We’re on a lot of variety shows.”
“Yeah, but clips circulate. Fans who are interested want full episodes. Overseas fans especially have trouble accessing them.”
The PR staff nodded.
“We’re looking into various methods.”
“I know. Thank you for your hard work.”
“We’ve concluded that expanding our own content is the way to go, but…”
Executive Director Joo tapped the table with her finger.
Tap tap.
“The key is the item.”
Spot on. I jumped right in.
“I have a few item proposals. Of course, you’ll approve them, Director.”
“What are they? Spit it out quick.”
“First, I thought about what Zenith needs. Our team recognition is a bit uneven.”
Executive Director Joo nodded.
“Dowon, you’re the famous one. Then Minje. Zenith’s known, but individual member names aren’t as much.”
“Yeah. We have more team fans, but it’s lacking. Since I do acting, I have a lot of personal fans.”
Ki Jaeyoon shouted.
“Right! Right! Only Cha Dowon’s blowing up!”
I smiled brightly. Normally I’d put him in his place, but this involved him.
“So I recommend producing a series that highlights our character traits.”
“Involving a broadcast station?”
“No. Just for video sites. PR can decide on ads. I just want a gateway for global fans. Anyone interested in Zenith should be able to watch. Music shows aren’t enough.”
Executive Director Joo nodded. She was savvy in the industry. She’d get it.
“So, what kind of videos?”
“Raising Ki Jaeyoon.”
All eyes turned to Ki Jaeyoon. The guy who craved attention jumped in surprise.
“M-me? Raising me?”
“Yeah. What do you think we’d raise?”
“Uh, my popularity? Or my fatal charm?”
Your fatal charm’s frozen solid.
I smiled radiantly.
“Your vocals.”
“Huh?”
“Jaeyoon’s seriously lacking. There’ll be that satisfying growth feel. Format’s fake documentary, but think nurturing game for fun. From vocalization to abs, teach in detail. PR can flesh it out.”
“Fake but pretty realistic?”
“Contradictory, but yeah. I just pitch ideas; format’s not my thing.”
Executive Director Joo brushed her hair back.
“Ah, okay. Sounds intriguing. But who? Bring in an expert? Someone patient? Who’d be good?”
“Director Joo, with Ki Jaeyoon starring, obviously Minje hyung teaches.”
“Huh? Ack!”
The fox cub coughed in panic. Leader hyung quickly handed him a water bottle. Kang Minje gulped it down and finally spoke.
“Me teaching Jaeyoon?”
“Yeah. Honestly, you have to. He doesn’t improve no matter what, keeps resetting, right? Proper repetitive training embeds it in his brain. Makes next recording easier. You gonna teach from scratch every time?”
Kang Minje stared at Ki Jaeyoon. I knew it.
‘The fox cub’s calculating.’
Fiercely, too.
Kang Minje, you can’t restart from zero every time. Enough already.
Then Ki Jaeyoon shot up from his seat.
“N-no! I don’t wanna! It’s scary! Even recording makes my legs shake—I run to the bathroom so much! And now film a show?”
What did you do to him, Kang Minje? Traumatize the kid?
‘Not my problem anyway.’
I smiled gently.
“Jaeyoon, we need you.”
His expression changed.
“You’re essential to Zenith.”
Ki Jaeyoon’s eyes trembled. I kept smiling.
“Do this, and your fans will explode.”
“I’ll do it!”
Easy mark.
Now Kang Minje. I turned. The fox cub alternated glances between Kang Minje and me—no, between me and himself?—and said.
“Guess I have to.”
“Good choice, customer.”
“Teaching from scratch every time is exhausting. I’m tired.”
Painful truth. I quietly looked at Executive Director Joo. She replied instantly.
“Call!”
Boss moves.
“Not bad. Even a rough script will work. We have the location, low production cost. Toss in Zenith members for flavor. Call! Dowon’s a idea machine.”
“Thank you.”
“Minje and Jaeyoon’s characters will shine. Great, perfect.”
“Honored.”
“So, next one.”
How’d she know?
“Next item?”
“You called me for multiples. Right?”
“Yeah. This one’s low cost too.”
“Spit it out quick.”
I looked at Yoo Hajin and Lee Seungjun.
“I’d love if Leader hyung and Seungjun celebrated my graduation a bit.”
Executive Director Joo’s eye twitched.
“How?”
“Something small. Flower bouquet, cake. Awkward’s even better. Fans want member bonding. Videos like that show no infighting, draw them over.”
Hope those far-flung fans come soon.
“I-is that so?”
“Showing what fans want is our duty, right?”
Yoo Hajin and Lee Seungjun exchanged looks.
“Uh, Dowon. So me and Seungjun prep a party?”
“Yeah. Keep it simple.”
“Hmm…”
Lee Seungjun stared at me intently.
“Why?”
He smiled a little. He smiles okay around me, but with crowds he’s stone-faced. Weird.
“I’ve wanted to do something special for you.”
What’s this now?
Lee Seungjun turned to Executive Director Joo.
“What’s the budget limit?”
“Huh? Why?”
“Got something to do. Good for content too.”
Lee Seungjun was talkative for once. I asked the big bear.
“What’re you planning?”
“Surprise, so secret from you.”
Huh?
I blinked in confusion, and Lee Seungjun laughed. What’s with him?
“Okay, tell me later. Done here?”
“Yeah. One request: multiple subtitles on our videos?”
Executive Director Joo nodded.
“Was already thinking that. You’re bigger scale than Vita. Meeting over. Go rest, you’re busy. Oh, congrats.”
On what?
She grinned and suddenly cheered.
“Hooray! You guys! Hooray! Tomorrow! Hooray! Number one candidates!”
Whoa.
I couldn’t help laughing.
‘We’ll meet our VIP seniors soon.’
Told you it’d happen.
“What station?”
“TYM.”
“Not bad.”
They do real stats. Fair fight, I like it.
“Stereo Star was a hit yesterday.”
Oh, aired last night.
“Saw it on realtime search?”
“Was on schedule.”
“Yeah, you’re busy, so I monitored myself.”
Executive Director Joo clapped.
Clap clap clap.
She beckoned me and Kang Minje. I narrowed my eyes and followed her order.
“Good job. Great job.”
She slapped my shoulder. Hurt more than expected—reward or punishment?
“Ah, Dowon’s cheek scar—did it show on air?”
“No, edited out. Fucking bastards. Why hit a kid’s face?”
“It’s fine now.”
“I know. Heard from Manager Heo. Won’t let them off. Dare scar our boy’s face?”
Wow.
She fumed, inspecting my face from all angles.
“Where’s the spot on this handsome face for that shit! Know how valuable this is?”
So worldly worry.
“Friends’ treasure among treasures!”
“Didn’t need to go that far…”
She breathed hard, clenching and unclenching her fist.
“Fans were curious. Sudden bandage and bruise on cheek.”
“Inquiries?”
“Yeah, tons from reporters.”
“What’d you say?”
“Just that it’s fine now. What else?”
I shook my head. No need to see it.
“Guess I get what trouble happened.”
“Of course. Sharp ones already dug up the truth.”
“Hope it all blows up. Worried now that I’ve planted the seeds.”