Chapter 195
Translator: penny
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: Let's Make Family Matching Outfits Too
“Can't come today.”
“Busy with music activities.”
I see. Well, they're running around everywhere even in the final stages.
‘Plus, they're preparing for their third album.’
That's why they've been working nonstop with Executive Director Joo.
Kang Minje must be exhausted.
‘Should I use a cheat or something?’
I was lost in various thoughts when suddenly, a crying sound rang out.
“I'll go.”
Lee Seungjun, wearing a shirt that looked painfully tight, hurried over to Jiyu.
Come to think of it, it was pretty striking.
“You're both wearing my clothes.”
Seungjun's was ridiculously snug, but Hajin hyung seemed okay enough.
“Ah, sorry. I'll bring some next time.”
“No, it's fine. We have plenty.”
Leader hyung covered his mouth and laughed.
“Ah, there's still some left. How many? Twenty?”
“Ten. I didn't throw them out.”
“I want to wear one too.”
What was this now?
I leaned my head back slightly, and Ki Jaeyoon plopped down on a dining chair. His hair was sticking up all over, like he'd just woken up.
“I want to wear one too.”
Has this guy finally lost it?
“I do have one more in my bag, but…”
“Dowon, how many did you bring?”
“All four. Just in case. I was planning to head straight to the gym after filming.”
No, that wasn't the point.
“Why do you want to wear them? Want one?”
“No, that's not it. Oh, right! Let's make family matching outfits for us too.”
A bowl slipped from my hand for a moment.
“Even Jiyu will wear the same! I'll make them!”
Don't.
“It's surprisingly nice. My family wears them sometimes too.”
Sounds like a harmonious home—still, don't.
I quietly turned around and did the dishes. Ki Jaeyoon latched onto Hajin hyung.
“I'll pay for it too. I know a place.”
“No need to find a shop.”
“I'm telling you, it's good.”
Hajin hyung gave an awkward smile and stood up.
“Ah, Jiyu must've seen something big again. I'll go help!”
Huh. Running away?
As Leader hyung escaped his seat, he said,
“If Dowon says it's okay, I'm fine with it. Aigoo, Jiyu's crying a lot?”
Of course she'd cry if she saw something big. But before that—why are you passing the buck to me, Leader hyung?
“Dowon! Let's do it!”
“Why do we need that?”
“Oh, just. It's nice.”
Weirdo.
“Ah, but it smells like ramen. Did you eat ramen?”
Oops.
“You ate without me? Wow, that's sneaky! That's no way to live!”
I flashed a bright smile.
“Let's do it. Family matching outfits.”
“Really?”
“But won't we need permission from Jiyu's mom?”
“I'll get it!”
Ki Jaeyoon kept grinning, clearly thrilled.
‘Simple guy.’
I shook my head.
‘Hajin hyung, you tossed it my way, so this isn't on me.’
Still, what even were family matching outfits?
‘I guess I'll find out when they show up.’
A sigh escaped me naturally. Child-rearing variety shows were pretty tough.
***
“Good, good, good! Very good!”
I rested my chin on my hand and looked at Executive Director Joo. She was practically buzzing with energy across the table.
“You seem excited.”
“Of course I am. Look, Dowon.”
She shoved the tablet PC screen right in my face.
“All these articles!”
She swiped through.
“The forums are flooded with ‘A Day with Zenith.’ Everyone's going crazy saying how cute you all are!”
I quietly gazed at the ceiling.
‘Hilarious.’
The reaction exploded right after the first episode aired, which was weird.
‘Didn't expect this.’
I meant to make it popular, but since it was a child-rearing show, it took off in an unexpected direction.
‘After the first shoot, I thought it was a total miss…’
Executive Director Joo told me to tone it down, but I ended up acting too much like myself.
‘Strange.’
Why did this blow up?
‘All I did was take care of Jiyu and raise Ki Jaeyoon the whole time?’
I couldn't figure it out.
“Wasn't the filming too raw?”
“That's what makes it real.”
“But it was too real.”
Shouldn't things be somewhat polished to work?
“Dowon, want to see this article?”
Executive Director Joo thrust an online news article in my face.
[Zenith, Their True Charm.]
-Purity meets child-rearing variety.
I fought to keep my face from twisting.
‘This is so forced.’
I just couldn't understand.
“Why did it blow up?”
Of course, I knew in my head. Zenith was decent aside from me. I'd predicted we'd get good reviews someday if we played that up.
‘But this is extreme.’
We showed the rawest sides, and the world lit up overnight.
“Because it's fun!”
“Fun? It was just our daily life. Honestly, by the end, I couldn't tell if it was the dorm or the set.”
Executive Director Joo beamed.
“The original intent paves the way.”
Oh boy.
‘She's just slapping sayings on it.’
A sigh slipped out. I looked at the ceiling again.
‘What part hooked them?’
I'd agonized over ratings until the night before airing. But hilariously, the forums went nuts right away.
‘The members might like it, sure…’
Why nationwide?
“You seem confused, and it's not like you.”
“A bit.”
“It's fun, I tell you. Variety can be like this.”
I let out a long breath. No clue.
“Your charms all shone through. Jiyu was cute too.”
“Jiyu is cute.”
Executive Director Joo covered her mouth and laughed.
“Cha Dowon.”
“Yes, Executive Director Joo.”
“Luck's come knocking—gonna throw it away?”
I turned to her. Her eyes were sharp.
‘Fair point.’
I grinned. Yeah, can't let this slip.
“It's a good surprise outside expectations.”
“Right?”
It was unexpected on the rise, but not anymore.
“Seungjun's getting good buzz?”
“Yeah. Honestly, I only knew you and Minje well. But now there's tons saying Jaeyoon and Seungjun are surprises.”
I nodded. She was right.
‘Visibility was low, after all.’
Executive Director Joo smiled.
“Everyone's curious about you guys.”
“I see.”
“Nationwide. Bigger splash than Rural Life, you know?”
It had properly exploded.
“And nowadays, nationwide means worldwide.”
Huh.
‘The whole world saw that?’
Wow.
I recalled our child-rearing shoot. Lee Seungjun getting peed on by Jiyu, Ki Jaeyoon's plastic surgery confession?
“The world keeps seeing Zenith's clumsy sides?”
“Not clumsy—approachable.”
Uh, Executive Director Joo? How is that approachable?
“Dowon, clumsiness and approachability are a paper-thin line.”
“I always thought that paper was a contract or lawsuit.”
“W-well, yeah?”
She trailed off, staring into the distance.
“I just can't figure why it's popular.”
“Pure and cute. And Dowon, you're all still handsome.”
What did that mean?
“I'll read some comments. Seungjun, why do you look hot getting peed on by a baby? Dowon, why teach Jiyu acting so awesomely—making noona's heart flutter.”
“Fans say I'm cute even imitating a monkey.”
“That's not all.”
Executive Director Joo sipped cold water.
“They get interested, then check your stages.”
Huh.
‘Didn't see that coming.’
But would they think our stages are cool after that?
“You guys nail stages.”
Obviously.
“Dance well too. Totally different from variety. Plus, you always go in like you're devouring the stage. You.”
“Effort's basic.”
“That's why it explodes. If it was just fun variety, you'd end up as comedians.”
“Comedians sing well these days.”
She shook her head.
“Yeah, they do.”
“Anyway, I get it. It sparks interest.”
“Stage you is a total contrast—magnetic.”
Executive Director Joo whispered,
“Someone relatable shining on stage? Like a comic—feels good.”
I furrowed my brow.
“Sounds comic, but it's all planned.”
“Sure. But idols are idols. This classic vibe? I love it.”
I exhaled deeply. Thinking about it, not a bad spot at all.
Executive Director Joo smiled and asked,
“What's the plan, Dowon?”
I stared at her squarely.
“Asking again. Gonna let this chance slip?”
No way.
I chuckled.
“Of course not.”
“Then why groan? It worked out.”
I apologized cleanly.
“Sorry. It's just so different from what I expected.”
“Okay. One more time—what's the plan?”
I thought of the top priority first.
“Seungjun's image matters most.”
“Right.”
“Seems they like our honesty, so keep it up?”
“Perfect. Exactly.”
“Then, we roll with this.”
Executive Director Joo clapped.
“Learns fast! Friends' treasure!”
Treasure what?
“Anyway, Dowon. Yeah. Boss is digging hard. Hit-and-run.”
“I see.”
“Results are great. Looks like organized crime backing, shifted to finance channels.”
“Sounds like they can't catch 'em?”
Leaning on the sofa back, I said,
“Isn't that for prosecutors or police?”
“Dunno. But this finance company's too cozy with the old regime. Pissed off the new one.”
That changes things.
“If it goes well, great. Dowon, know any politicians?”
“Aunt's running this election. You know.”
“How could I not? After that commotion!”
Oops.
‘It was flashy.’
Executive Director Joo crossed her arms.
“Said you'd promo her campaign briefly—no mention of dancing wildly on the float!”
“Knew it'd go viral, but not this much.”
Who knew they'd love an idol dancing hardcore on a campaign vehicle?
“Polls shot up?”
“Yeah, aunt called. Famous thanks to me—mixed feelings.”
With an idol nephew, might as well use it. Classic aunt.
‘Thought it'd fizzle after some buzz.’
But idol + unfamiliar politics? Aunt blew up suddenly.
‘Lots of interviews.’
I smiled brightly. Hope her approval rose a bit.
“Think aunt wins?”
“Manager asked same. No.”
Opponent was too strong.
“My dancing won't flip the winner. Aunt wants attention though—clean record.”
But I knew the future. Aunt lost badly.
‘Beautiful defeat.’
I looked forward to it.
“Politics that easy?”
“You undervalue yourself.”
What?
‘No way she wins?’
I shook my head.
“Buzz is nice, but no.”
“Won't be shocked post-election. Anyway, no other politician relatives? Aunt's a lawyer?”
“Yeah.”
“Should I reach out?”
No need.
“Hit-and-runs won't happen again. Personally, can't forgive 'em. Old grudge.”
Wow.
“More to it?”
“Yeah. Curious?”
“Nah. You'll tell when solved?”
I smiled brightly.
“You hate worrying us needlessly, Executive Director Joo.”
Something more, I guessed.
Her expression shifted.
“Yeah?”
“Not just Friends hit. Entertainer traffic accidents…”
A case flashed in my mind.
“Senior Yumi's girl group?”
Executive Director Joo exhaled sharply.
“Look at you, sharp as ever.”
“Really?”
“Suspicion for now.”
“Wow. Those guys are no joke.”
Gotta make 'em pay.