Chapter 167
Chapter 167
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: Is It Fate?
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The reporters' gazes had changed. I could see they were intrigued.
'As expected, the fact that we're close with our members always works.'
I smiled brightly and said,
"A lot was revealed. Starting from playing instruments. But, well, how should I put it..."
I lowered my eyes slightly.
"Minje hyung is similar to Iryul from Melody's Saga in some ways. Ah, not talking about talent. When music doesn't go the way he wants, he struggles in a similar fashion."
Well, more like pre-regression Kang Minje than the current one.
'He digs in relentlessly if it doesn't work out, just the same.'
And ends up collapsing from overdoing it.
I continued carefully.
"That's when I get worried."
I had been worried. I'd even sent the guy to the hospital after he collapsed.
'And what did he say then...'
A pre-regression memory surfaced.
'Thanks to Dowon, I survived. If you'd left me as I was, I would've died.'
Come to think of it, no one ever came or went from his place. It seemed odd now.
'Even agency people couldn't visit his house?'
The door password was his birthday. Anyone could find that out from his profile.
'Friends Entertainment doesn't just abandon their celebrities.'
What had happened?
As these thoughts swirled, the host spoke.
"Yes. We heard Cha Dowon's answer well. You members really get along. How cute."
Huh?
Something felt off, so I turned to look at the host. The announcer-turned-host seemed flustered for a moment and quickly apologized.
"Sorry. My true feelings slipped out."
I had nothing to say to that. Then, laughter erupted in the press conference hall.
"Uhahaha!"
It was the director. He covered his mouth, laughing, then bowed his head deeply. As if on cue, laughter broke out from all around.
"Ahahaha!"
Oh no.
'I don't know what's so funny, but the mood's improving.'
As long as the reporters looked happy, it was fine. I turned forward and laughed too. Camera flashes went off somewhere.
"Yes. Once again, sorry. Next question is for the lead actress of Melody's Saga, Bitna from Sweet Kiss. Reporter Go Jungmin from Sports Clean and Reporter Kim Mona from Talent Light have questions. You play the honest and bold role who receives love from two men. How do you plan to act it out?"
Bitna took the mic and spoke calmly.
"First off, it's an honor to receive love from both gentlemen."
Laughter rang out again. She was truly seasoned.
"The character Serasa is a lovable one. I pondered a lot on how to express that loveliness. But this friend is incredibly honest. That reminds me of one of our Sweet Kiss members. So I'm diligently observing and taking notes."
Impressive.
'She immediately used something good.'
Great sense. But were Sweet Kiss members really that close?
'Maybe they are.'
That left one issue.
'Just Jeremy. No.'
Next to Bitna was Yumiho.
I let out a long sigh.
'The heroine's friend role?'
In the script, it was basically a PPL character.
'Always just doing ads.'
Maybe because Melody's Saga's PPL items were cosmetics this time. Everyone was like that.
'Yumiho taking this kind of role?'
As a rookie, she couldn't refuse?
'Pre-regression, no such role in her filmography.'
Why suddenly take this?
'No way it's because of me.'
Assuming it was made things annoying fast. I suppressed the sigh trying to escape. This was a press conference, and I was a trendsetting idol.
"Yes, great answer. Both leads get along well with their members."
The host tried to move to the next question. Then, Jeremy suddenly grabbed the mic, face serious, and said,
"VIP gets along too."
Oh no.
The atmosphere turned awkward instantly.
'If a cheeky guy said it laughing, it'd be fine.'
But he said it dead seriously. Respected senior.
'Everyone will think the group doesn't get along.'
Why say that?
The host's eyes trembled. In the suddenly weird mood, people exchanged glances.
'No choice in this case.'
I stared straight at the director. He was looking around and met my eyes.
He seemed flustered too, unable to hold the gaze. I pointed at the mic with my finger.
'Only you can fix this mood.'
Luckily, he got it and took the mic.
"I only cast people who get along with their members."
Reporters burst into laughter instantly. I breathed a small sigh of relief. The host, now okay, resumed.
"Yes. Melody's Saga, where only those close with their members were cast. On to the next question."
Things proceeded smoothly. The director looked at me again. I gave a faint smile, and he nodded slightly.
'Feels like camaraderie over nothing.'
Jeremy hyung, why are you like this. Like you've been drinking.
'No. Wait? Actually drunk?'
I glanced at the senior. Come to think of it, he drank during underwater filming too.
A guy who can't go a day without alcohol.
'But isn't this alcoholism?'
What makes him drink like that?
'Is it surprisingly common for celebrities?'
Come to think of it, Sa-hyuk was like that too. Problematic. Alcohol should be in moderation.
'Worried the event mood's ruined by the senior's drunken antics.'
Well, his image tanking wasn't my concern.
"Then, we'll end the Melody's Saga press conference here."
Finally, the press conference ended. As I stood, the director grabbed my hand first again.
'Articles will be anticipating this.'
I bowed and lifted my head, smiling to the end. Even if VIP was close with reporters, would this get smoothed over? I was a bit curious.
***
On the way back to the waiting room, Yumiho deliberately walked beside me.
'Annoying. For real.'
I ignored her, but I felt her gaze.
'Shouldn't have talked to her in the first place.'
Better avoid now.
I pulled out my smartphone for no reason. Then she spoke from the side.
"Kang Minje resembles Iryul?"
I didn't answer. Ignoring Yumiho, I searched for Kang Minje in my phone list.
'On second thought, better say something. Resembling Iryul isn't great.'
It was a character who strives, flounders, and crumbles. The vixen might feel bad seeing articles.
"Ignoring me?"
Smiling, I pointed at my phone. Honestly, I thought Kang Minje wouldn't pick up.
-Yeah, Dowon.
His clear voice reached my ear.
'Why'd he answer.'
Damn.
"Minje hyung, what're you doing?"
-Studio.
"Did you see the press conference by any chance?"
Laughter from Kang Minje.
-Didn't watch, but heard about it.
"Sorry. Pretended we're close, but think I crossed a line."
-Didn't cross much?
Damn. The vixen seemed oddly pleased.
"Sorry. Upset, right?"
-No. Not at all.
For real?
'Doesn't sound like a lie...'
He even seemed in a good mood.
-The Iryul character suffers over music?
"Yeah."
-To what degree?
Suddenly, words stuck. Sighing, I said,
"After trying everything, to the point of trying to drown herself."
Kang Minje went silent.
"Sorry."
Apologized again and waited quietly.
Then. I doubted my ears.
-Aahaha! Ahahaha!
Laughing?
'What's with Kang Minje? Ate something bad?'
He laughed refreshingly, almost cutely.
"Minje hyung?"
-Such a character? Ahahaha!
"Why laugh?"
-No, we really resemble.
I furrowed my brows.
"You're not that bad."
-No, I was similar before. Easier after Zenith.
"Good thing. Iryul actually tries to die."
-Ahaha! I see.
Kang Minje laughed long over the phone. Calming down, he said to me,
-Yeah. Called because it's that kind of character.
"Yeah."
-Hm, it's fine.
"Thanks. Hyung."
I tried to hang up. But with that itchy clear voice, Kang Minje said,
-Are we fated?
What?
The phone nearly slipped. I gripped it tightly.
"Hyung?"
-Dowon. We seem fated.
"Hyung..."
Sighing, I said,
"I messed up."
-Aahahaha! No. That's not it.
Then what?
-You're acting someone like me?
"Yeah."
-I made a song like you.
What now.
I narrowed my eyes at the smartphone.
"Hyung? What do you mean?"
-Told you I observe you.
I nodded. Yeah.
-Maybe inspiration came from you. Songs resembling you came easy.
"That's the album track, right?"
Kang Minje's laughing voice.
-Title track?
Crazy.
-Head director said title right away too.
"Wow..."
I pressed my forehead.
"Why not tell me sooner?"
-Scared. Might stop me.
"As if you'd listen if I did..."
-Aahaha! True.
I leaned against the wall briefly. A unfamiliar feeling hit after ages.
'Em, embarrassed.'
Why.
'Because it's a song like me? Or because Kang Minje made it?'
Damn.
'Both.'
I sighed long. Making me embarrassed—Kang Minje was impressive.
-Dowon, shocked?
"Yeah. Words won't come."
-Aahaha! Sorry!
"Yeah, whatever. Hyung..."
I muttered weakly.
"Get first place."
-Huh?
"If you're gonna. First place. Since it's like me."
-Aahaha! Yeah! But aren't we really fated? You act someone like me, I sing a song made watching you on stage.
Damn. Why so twisted. Goosebumps.
"We'll understand each other."
-Really?
"But Iryul's worse than you, hyung."
-Well. Not sure, but pre-Zenith me was worse?
I recalled pre-regression Kang Minje. True.
'Back then, he seemed half-dead clinging to life.'
Well, Melody's Saga's Iryul at least lived regularly. Ate on time.
'The vixen didn't even do that.'
What he ate, if he slept. Visiting meant cooking for a half-corpse.
'Impressive he lived.'
Scolded him to live properly, but always that state.
"Minje hyung."
-Yeah?
"Why lighter after Zenith?"
Had to admit.
'You look much better now, Kang Minje.'
Didn't laugh like this, look around. Hated crowds too.
'Going to a crowded cafe was weird from the start.'
Why changed, Kang Minje.
-You asking that is weird, Dowon.
"Really, what's the reason. Hyung?"
-Dowon. Suppose I make music that doesn't fit trends.
Kang Minje whispered lowly.
-You'd pull Zenith up anyway.
Suddenly, speechless.
-The you I saw does that. Variety or whatever, lifts the team.
Obvious.
-Feels like I got a big shield.
Kang Minje sounded truly happy.
-Maybe that's why? I can make any song now. Boldly try what past me wouldn't. Surprisingly, more popular.
Couldn't speak. Laughter from over the phone.
-Our maknae must be flustered.
Was flustered.
"Didn't know I affected you that much."
-Really?
His clear voice clung to my ear.
-Thought you were a gift sent for me?
Damn.
"Absolutely not."
Kang Minje laughed again.